Hardening electric, oil, and natural gas utility systems is critical to protecting the nation’s energy grid and a well-trained workforce is essential.
In partnership with Idaho National Laboratory, the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response offered a series of six intensive 3-day cybersecurity training opportunities for utility staff. The training curriculum was designed for technical practitioners in energy utilities that require a hybrid set of skills across information technology (IT), industrial control systems and operational technology (ICS/OT), cybersecurity, and grid operations. It was initially created to quickly train utility staff to defend their systems against cyber-attacks in areas of conflict.
One training event was located in each of the 6 NERC regions. Through this series, CESER has provided training in OH, FL, MO, CA, TX, and NY to more than 600 personnel from electric investor-owned, cooperative, and public power utilities, and oil and natural gas utilities. Each event included classes that provided a mixture of lectures and hands-on training to improve the knowledge and skills needed to defend against cyber threats. Participants were able to earn up to 18.5 CPE credit hours depending on which classes they took.
Registration for the training events was free. The training program was made possible through funding provided to CESER under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
To hear more about any future training opportunities, please send a request to join the RMUC Program mailing list to: [email protected] or visit the RMUC home page.
For more information about other CESER cybersecurity training programs, please visit CyberForce, OT Defender, and CyberStrikeTM.