The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently released the National Cyber-Informed Engineering (CIE) Strategy to provide a framework for enhancing engineering training, tools and practices to build resilient clean energy systems designed to withstand cyber threats. The strategy encourages the incorporation of cybersecurity technology early in the design lifecycle of engineered systems to reduce cyber risks and vulnerabilities including threats by foreign actors.
Securing a strong and reliable clean energy grid is a key component of achieving President Biden’s goal of a net-zero carbon economy by 2050. The National CIE Strategy provides guidance on the application of cybersecurity technology across the engineering design lifecycle of grid development. It also ensures that automated systems on the grid are designed to be cybersecure and resilient.
The strategy aims to reduce or eliminate cyber vulnerabilities by engineering them out, and it is focused on reducing the likelihood of disruptions to the nation’s critical energy infrastructure even if a cyber-attack is successful.
Dan Hounsell is senior editor for the facilities market. He has more than 25 years of experience covering engineering, maintenance, and grounds management issues in institutional and commercial facilities.
