Arlington, Va. – Tomorrow on Capitol Hill, NRECA CEO Jim Matheson will highlight electric co-op cybersecurity efforts and encourage Congress to continue supporting programs that strengthen cyber preparedness. Matheson will testify Thursday before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources at 10:00 a.m. in Room 366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
“The possibility of a cybersecurity attack impacting grid operations is something for which the electric sector has been preparing for years,” Matheson said. “Maintaining the resilience and security of the electric grid requires a flexible approach that draws on a variety of resources and options. As threats and threat actors continue to evolve, so must government and industry’s capability to defend against them.”
Matheson will encourage Congress to continue funding cybersecurity research and development through the U.S Department of Energy. He will also ask the Committee to pursue legislation that provides for voluntary, enhanced FBI background checks to improve the ability of co-ops to prevent insider threats.
Electric co-ops are working in partnership with DOE through the Rural Cooperative Cybersecurity Capabilities (RC3) Program to promote cyber awareness at small and medium sized co-ops.
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is the national service organization that represents the nation’s more than 900 not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives, which provide service to 42 million people in 47 states.
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