US preps cyber outfit to protect national electric grid

The Department of Energy has said it would spend $8.5 million to create a National Energy Sector Cyber Organization that would help protect the nation's electric power grid, incorporating smart grid technology.

The intent is to create an independent national energy sector cyber security organization that would accelerate research, development and deployment priorities, including policies and protocols, according to the DOE.

DOE Acting Assistant Secretary Patricia Hoffman states:

"The scope and nature of security threats and their potential impact on our national security require the ability to act quickly to protect the bulk power system and to protect sensitive information from public disclosure. At the same time, we must continue to build long-term programs that improve information sharing and awareness between the public and private energy sector.

"The electric system is not the Internet. It is a carefully tended and balanced system that is critical to the Nation and the people. We must continue to strive towards an electric system that can survive an intentional cyber assault with no loss of critical functions," she said.

See complete article at NETWORK WORLD.