Cybersecurity Summit Shows How Cross-Sector Collaboration Fortifies National Energy Infrastructure

A first-of-its-kind event with state leaders, hosted by the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER), brought together key players dedicated to strengthening energy security across the nation. The Cybersecurity for Energy Resilience Summit (CyFERS) took place in Salt Lake City, Utah and more than 80 attendees representing 40 states spent three days fostering critical partnerships across state agencies, the energy sector, and DOE’s national laboratories.

CyFERS provided a platform for state officials to deepen their understanding of evolving cyber threats through sessions dedicated to threat intelligence and information sharing. Participants discussed the intersection of cyber and physical risks methodologies and participated in hands-on cyber exercises. You can learn more about CESER’s tools and resources here.

CESER Director Alex Fitzsimmons emphasized the importance of CESER’s role in energy security during his opening keynote, discussed energy’s importance in making lives better, and emphasized the need for strong federal-state partnership against the evolving cyber threats to ensure American Energy Dominance.

“To win the AI race and onshore manufacturing, we must ensure the security and resilience of America’s energy sector,” Director Fitzsimmons said. “The CyFERS conference, and the collaborations it helped generate among state leaders, will be instrumental in fortifying our national energy infrastructure.”

CyFERS enhanced communication and coordination among state and local governments, consistent with President Trump’s Executive Order on Achieving Efficiency Through State and Local Preparedness, which called on agencies to “enable State and local governments to better understand, plan for, and ultimately address the needs of their citizens.”

The success of the conference stemmed from strategic coordination among several groups including the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO), the National Governor’s Association (NGA), and the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC).

“By giving state officials practical strategies, resources, and a network of peers working towards a common problem, we can bolster the role states play in securing their state’s most critical assets against cyberattacks,” said Megan Levy, SLTT Program Manager with CESER. “This event was a resounding success in that regard, and participants came away energized and ready to start implementing what they learned in their states.”