A Good First Step in Protecting our Power Grid

Auburn University's McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security, in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), has embarked on a pioneering $12.5 million initiative to establish the first U.S. regional cybersecurity research and operations center, the Southeast Region Cybersecurity Collaboration Center (SERC3). This center is set to focus on grid protection, with a substantial $10 million grant provided by the Department of Energy (DOE).

This partnership aims to create a robust nexus of expertise from the private sector, academia, and government. Together, they will share information and develop innovative, real-world solutions to safeguard the nation's power grid and other crucial sectors. The project was officially announced on April 18, reflecting a significant commitment to enhancing national cybersecurity.

The SERC3 is spearheaded by James Goosby, Southern Co. Director of Business Technology, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives at McCrary, and Tricia Schulz at ORNL. Their leadership will focus on "running experiments" with industry partners to facilitate the integration of both new and existing security technologies into operational settings.

Research laboratories will be established at Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering and at ORNL's facilities in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, enhancing the collaborative research capabilities of both institutions.

A key mission of SERC3 will be workforce development and skills training, including the creation of a mock utility command center. This facility will train participants in real-time cyber defense, preparing them to manage and mitigate potential cyber threats effectively.

The SERC3 initiative marks a significant step forward in countering the rising cyber threats facing the U.S. energy sector. While the power sector already adheres to critical infrastructure protection standards and engages with various cybersecurity frameworks and partnerships, the establishment of SERC3 adds a vital new dimension to these efforts.