[USA] “Executive Order 13800 on Strengthening the Cybersecurity of Federal Networks and Critical Infrastructure: Assessment of Electricity Disruption Incident Response Capabilities”

[DOE, 30 May 2018]

As cybersecurity becomes an increasingly challenging issue, the Trump Administration is seeking methods to strengthen the U.S.’s national security protections as regards cyber security. In this line, last year Trump signed Executive Order 13800 on “Strengthening the Cybersecurity of Federal Networks and Critical Infrastructure.” The order initiated an assessment of the potential “scope and duration of a prolonged power outage.” While it was determined that so far there has been no permanent damage resulting from the cyberattacks targeting electric utilities, cyberattacks are becoming increasingly frequent. Thus, it is important to continuously improve the country’s cybersecurity efforts. Rick Perry, DOE Secretary, released a comment acknowledging the “growing security risk of cyber threats” and that the Department “has taken an important step forward through the recent creation of the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER), which will further strengthen DOE’s ability to play a vital role protecting energy infrastructure from cyber threats, physical attacks, and natural disasters.”