DoE unveils new initiative to improve cybersecurity for critical infrastructure

The US Department of Energy (DoE) has launched a new programme to protect the country’s critical infrastructure through knowledge sharing in cybersecurity.

The Operational Technology (OT) Defender Fellowship has been launched by DOE’s Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ (FDD) Center for Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI).

The aim is to improve the cybersecurity knowledge of key US front-line critical infrastructure defenders.

The one-year initiative will bring together operational technology security managers throughout the energy sector and cyber and national security experts across the US government.

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Dan Brouillette, secretary of energy, said: “Operational technology security managers keep the core physical systems of our energy infrastructure running smoothly in the face of natural disasters, physical sabotage, and nation-state cyberattacks.

“In support of the President’s Cybersecurity Workforce Executive Order, the Department of Energy is proud to support this elite training programme to create opportunities to grow America’s cyber workforce.”

Sen. Angus King, CSC co-chair, adds: “The Cyberspace Solarium Commission report advocates for operationalising cybersecurity collaboration with the private sector and reshaping how the US government coordinates with the private sector; these steps are central to our collective defense. There is no question that this new DOE initiative will better protect our country from cyberattacks.” For more on the OT Defender Fellowship, visit https://inl.gov/otdefender/