U.S.: $12m for cybersecurity research in the energy sector

The United States fears a rise in cyberattacks on its energy assets. To address this threat, the Department of Energy (DOE) is to provide $12 million in funding to six university research teams on « preventing and mitigating attacks on U.S. energy production and distribution systems. »

For the DOE, advanced anomaly detection is the priority for this research. University teams will also work on AI, machine learning, and the development of next-generation energy systems that can automatically block access to key control functions and detect cyber intrusions more quickly.

« Investing in cutting-edge cyber security technology keeps us at the forefront of global innovation and protects America’s power grid in the face of increasing cyber threats from abroad, » said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm.

Six universities will each receive $2 million in funding:

• Florida International University;
• Iowa State University;
• New York University;
• Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station;
• University of Illinois at Chicago; and
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.