U.S.: $12m for cybersecurity research in the energy sector
The U.S. Department of Energy is awarding a $12 million grant to six university research teams working on the cybersecurity of energy systems.
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.