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Center for Securing the Digital Energy Transition

Mission and Vision

The Center for Securing Digital Energy Transition provides building blocks and resources to enable the secure resilient digital transformation of energy. By elevating cybersecurity practices and improving overall system integrity, we strive for a system that can survive major events and thrive in enabling clean, affordable and secure supply of energy.

The Center collaborates with both traditional and non-traditional energy and security asset owners, vendors, developers, aggregators, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and operators.

The center will rapidly transition technology to industry and enable faster solution deployment and evaluation while driving foundational research goals in digital transformation of the electric grid and energy sector. This public-private alliance across a diverse range of energy stakeholders is committed to innovating and deploying new solutions to current and emerging challenges of energy transition.

Operational Focus Areas for Distributed Energy Resources, Renewable Security and Clean Energy

Training & Technical Assistance

Cyber-Informed Engineering

Workshops

GDO Technical Assistance (TA) for Digital Assurance

Clean Energy Defenders Program

Vulnerability Assessment and Disclosure Digital Transition Road Map

Monitoring, Defense & Incident Response

Strategic Monitoring

Incident Response Assistance

Vulnerability Disclosure

Triage & sharing of alerts (with context for
clean energy owners and operators)

Coordination with vendors

Cloud Partnerships

Vulnerability & Equipment Assessment

Forensic Equipment Analysis

Analysis of major events involving
clean energy

Bringing relevant outcomes and resources directly to industry

The Center for Securing the Digital Energy Transition is a nucleus for cross-pollinated cyber and clean energy programs, with impactful research and development, and rapid transition of products to industry with technical assistance and rapid response.
idaho national lab SCADA engineer

Design and Development 
Tools

CIRRUS Cloud Assessment Tool
Cyber-Informed Engineering
Wind Cyber Roadmap

Technical Assistance
and Training

DOE Industry Resources and Applications
Cyberstrike Workshops
ICS Virtual and In-person Training

Integrated Testing 
and Exercises

Scaleable Multi-sector Test Ranges
Full-Scale Cyber Exercises
5G and FutureG Security R&D

What is digital energy transition?

Security and sustainability

Broad digital transformations in technology have impacted the way our energy is generated, distributed and used. It is not just about changing the sources of energy, but also revolutionizing the entire energy infrastructure to be more resilient, sustainable and agile to future evolutions.
A key aspect of this transformation in the energy sector is the integration of digital technologies like:

  • Smart and connected devices
  • Mass orchestration of distributed and centralized controllers
  • Cloud-based systems in OT
  • Advanced data analytics, including artificial intelligence.

As energy systems become more connected and reliant on these technologies, they become more vulnerable to cyber threats. Supply chains for electronic and digital systems are challenging and often non-domestic. These threats can range from data breaches and privacy violations to attacks on critical infrastructure that could potentially disrupt energy supply and distribution. This security paradigm must be built into the new system, with the potential to adapt to a changing geopolitical and climate landscape.

Digital technologies and data hold tremendous potential to accelerate clean energy transitions across the energy sector. Energy transitions will include:

  • Deploying sophisticated software intelligence (AI) to optimize smarter distribution networks and data center use.
  • Cyber securing the rapid adoption of smart meters and electric vehicles.
  • Protecting internet protocols for new operational technologies and their respective software.

In electricity systems, digital technologies can help integrate increasing shares of variable renewables and improve the reliability of grids, while in end-use sectors they can improve clean energy and material efficiency.

Design & Development Tools

Workshops & Training

Testbeds & Exercises

Technical Assistance & Engagement

Events and Conferences

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Events and conferences

Leadership Team

Center for Securing the Digital Energy Transition (CSDET)

Emma Stewart

Director
Center for Securing the Digital Energy Transition (CSDET)

Tracy Briggs

Program Manager
Center for Securing the Digital Energy Transition (CSDET)

Megan Culler

Technical Director for Clean Energy Cybersecurity
Center for Securing the Digital Energy Transition (CSDET)

Jake Gentle

Staffing Coordination & Cross Division Manager
Center for Securing the Digital Energy Transition (CSDET)

Virginia Wright

Strategic Advisor & Operations
Center for Securing the Digital Energy Transition (CSDET)

Wayne Austad

Strategic Advisor & Operations
Idaho National Laboratory