The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) has been granted $4 million by the Department of Energy (DOE) to launch Project Guardian, a four-year initiative aimed at bolstering the cybersecurity readiness of electric cooperatives. This funding, part of the Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity (RMUC) Program under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, will be overseen by DOE's Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER). NRECA, along with a coalition of electric co-ops, will focus on areas like revamping a self-assessment program, establishing a Threat Analysis Center, nurturing co-op cyber champions, and developing a cybersecurity workforce
Through Project Guardian, efforts will be concentrated on enhancing incident response plans, conducting cybersecurity tabletop exercises, disseminating critical information, cultivating regional cyber champions, and aligning cybersecurity job roles with industry needs. The aim is to protect the electric grid from evolving cyber threats, strengthen collaboration, and ensure a resilient cybersecurity workforce for the electric cooperative sector. ```https://www.darkreading.com/ics-ot-security/nreca-receives-4m-in-doe-funding-to-boost-electric-co-op-cybersecurity-preparedness