NRECA will apply $5 million in new funding from the Department of Energy to two programs—the Trusted Industrial Control Cybersecurity Community–Threat Analysis Center (TICCC-TAC) and the Strategic Program for Advancing Rural Knowledge (SPARK)—to strengthen electric cooperatives’ cyber defenses.
“As cybersecurity threats evolve, it is critical that electric cooperative tools and training stay ahead of them,” NRECA CEO Jim Matheson said Oct. 7 following DOE’s announcement.
“Electric co-ops work together to identify and manage growing threats, promote continuous improvement and develop solutions that keep the electric grid secure. This funding will play an important role in ensuring co-ops have the tools they need to better protect their systems and member information.”
TICCC-TAC will receive $3 million and SPARK will get $2 million from DOE’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) through its Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity (RMUC) program, which was created by the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law.
TICCC-TAC will expand and enhance the NRECA Research Threat Analysis Center to help electric co-ops focus on major cyberthreats, respond quickly with the necessary expertise and engage with the broader intelligence community with discretion.
SPARK tackles the most immediate challenges rural co-ops face in building cybersecurity skillsets by providing free or low-cost training to the most under-resourced areas. The program also provides opportunities for co-ops to learn how to improve grid resilience.
More than 400 electric co-ops supported NRECA’s funding proposal to DOE, but all co-ops can take advantage of the programs.
“As evidenced by the programs’ great support, the large and growing participation in NRECA’s Cyber Goals Program and our annual Co-op Cyber Tech, among other activities, electric co-ops are eager for cybersecurity training and resources to protect their members and the grid,” said Carter Manucy, NRECA director of cybersecurity.
“We are grateful for this funding to expand and strengthen our services so that no matter how small or rural, when it comes to cybersecurity, no co-op is left behind.”
Cathy Cash is a staff writer for NRECA.