Oak Ridge National Lab Tests Blockchain to Protect Grid Against Cyberattacks
In an effort to protect against cyberattacks and improve resiliency, researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have used blockchain to validate communication among devices on the electric grid.
APPA Responds to FERC Proposals on Cybersecurity Rate Incentives
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) should reconsider several aspects of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) on cybersecurity rate incentives including a proposal that would allow a 200-basis point return on equity (ROE) adder on eligible investments, the American Public Power Association (APPA) said in recent comments filed at FERC.
Groups Urge Risk-Based Approach for Covered Entities for Cyber Incident Reporting
The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) should define “covered entities” for cyber incident reporting in a risk-based manner, the American Public Power Association (APPA) and the Large Public Power Council (LPPC) said in response to a request for information (RFI) issued by CISA on the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022 (CIRCIA).
CISA Releases Cybersecurity Performance Goals for Critical Infrastructure
At the end of October, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released a set of voluntary goals outlining the highest priority baseline measures businesses and critical infrastructure owners of all sizes can take to protect against cyber threats to critical infrastructure.
Department of Energy Seeks Input on Bolstering Cybersecurity for Public Power
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently issued a request for information (RFI) seeking public input on a new $250 million program to bolster the cybersecurity posture of rural, municipal, and small investor-owned electric utilities.
Federal Energy Regulators Propose Incentives for Voluntary Cybersecurity Investments
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on Sept. 22 issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) to establish rules providing incentive-based rate treatment for utilities making certain voluntary cybersecurity investments.
New DOE Program Offers Cybersecurity Assistance To Public Power Utilities
The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) recently launched the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program.
Ditto Urges Deliberative Process Tied To Implementation of Cyber Incident Reporting Law
American Public Power Association (APPA) President and CEO Joy Ditto on June 9 sent a letter to Jennifer Easterly, Director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) regarding implementation of the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022.
Public Power Utilities Well Positioned To Weather Cyberattacks: Fitch Ratings
Public power utilities are well positioned to weather cyberattacks “due to the electric sector’s years of attention to cyber threat mitigation and regulatory requirements, which offers a heightened level of protection relative to other infrastructure assets,” Fitch Ratings recently said.
Advisory Offers Most Comprehensive View On Cyber Threat Posed By Russia Since Invasion
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), along with other U.S. government entities and a number of international organizations, recently issued a joint cybersecurity advisory on Russian state-sponsored and criminal cyber threats to critical infrastructure that could impact organizations both within and beyond Ukraine.