
Elite Training for Energy Sector Front-line Managers
Protecting the nation’s energy infrastructure from modern threats is a noble calling. Security managers serve as a utility’s first line of defense against cyber-enabled sabotage and physical security breaches, ranging from storm surges to kinetic attacks. While their role is critical, their work can be difficult and necessary resources often limited.
To better support these front-line managers, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) created the Operational Technology (OT) Defender Fellowship Program. This elite training program offers middle- and senior-level OT security managers in the U.S. energy sector an opportunity to more fully understand the cyber strategies and tactics that adversarial state and nonstate actors use in targeting U.S. energy infrastructure.
The fellowship is sponsored by the Department of Energy (DOE) and hosted by Idaho National Laboratory (INL), with support from Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI).
The OT Defender Fellowship offers one cohort per year with up to 10 highly qualified participants per cohort. Ideal candidates must meet the following qualifications:
The 12-month fellowship consists of quarterly week-long seminars (in-person or remote).
Classroom information and tabletop exercises include:
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“Operational technology security managers keep the core physical systems of our energy infrastructure running smoothly in the face of natural disasters, physical sabotage and nation-state cyberattacks,” said Dan Brouillette, Secretary of Energy.
Security managers serve as a utility’s first line of defense against cyber-enabled sabotage. That’s why @DOE_CESER worked with @INL and @FDD to create a training program that prepares OT leaders across the U.S. sector for any cyber threats. Learn more: https://t.co/HASDIe7ltr
There has been significant interest in our first offering of the fellowship. For additional information and to stay informed about offerings, please contact:
The Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) addresses the emerging threats of tomorrow while protecting the reliable flow of energy to Americans today by improving energy infrastructure security and supporting the Department of Energy’s national security mission. CESER’s focus is preparedness and response activities to natural and man-made threats, while ensuring a stronger, more prosperous, and secure future for the nation.
Idaho National Laboratory is a world leader in providing industrial control system (ICS) cybersecurity workforce training and development. The laboratory’s distinctive history in protecting critical infrastructure systems puts the lab at the forefront of thought leadership and applied innovation in critical infrastructure cybersecurity education. INL uses a comprehensive approach to developing ICS cybersecurity training programs that can be tailored to meet the energy sector’s needs identified by the DOE, utilities, and other organizations.
Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI) is housed at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a nonprofit, nonpartisan 501(c)3 policy institute focusing on foreign policy and national security. CCTI’s work drives society-wide improvement in cyber resilience through the innovative synthesis of technology, policy, and governance.