Developed by DIR and Texas Tech University’s GLEAMM, this course provides essential cybersecurity training to help safeguard Texas’ electrical grid against evolving threats and ensure reliable service.
In response to the ever-evolving challenges in the power and energy sector, the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) in coordination with Texas Tech University’s Global Laboratory for Energy Asset Management and Manufacturing (GLEAMM) have developed and this week launched the Cybersecurity Essentials for the Electrical Grid course. This new training course for Texas’ critical infrastructure provides insights into emerging cybersecurity threats, best practices for risk mitigation, and the integration of cybersecurity measures into critical infrastructure technologies, equipping power and energy providers with the knowledge and skills to secure tools and infrastructure and deliver uninterrupted service to Texans.
“The security of critical infrastructure in Texas is paramount as threat actors continue to target the Lone Star State,” said former State Chief Information Security Officer and current Chief Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Officer Tony Sauerhoff. “This new training—the third in this series aimed at increasing the cybersecurity knowledge of non-cybersecurity professionals—delivers actionable and specific knowledge and intelligence that Texas’ critical infrastructure providers can use to secure systems and ensure uninterrupted service to Texans.”
Critical infrastructure systems in the energy sector face unique security challenges that this new training will address. Protecting these systems is critical in ensuring reliability and resiliency across all spaces in energy management from generation and production to delivery and consumption.
“Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, especially when it comes to protecting Texas’ energy infrastructure,” said Dr. Argenis Bilbao, Senior Director of GLEAMM. “By collaborating with DIR, Texas Tech University and GLEAMM are delivering accessible training that empowers providers across the state to strengthen security and safeguard the services Texans rely on every day.”
The four-hour asynchronous online course is available at no cost and blends cybersecurity best practices with grid-specific applications and real-world scenarios in the energy sector. Modules include Cryptography and Authentication, Security Tools and Mitigation Techniques, Network and Cloud Security, and more, and the training features a range of notable, real-world cyberattacks on critical infrastructure to focus and refine the training. Upon completion, participants will understand the requirements to comply with the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework and be prepared to obtain a North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection (NERC CIP) certification.
Enroll in the Cybersecurity Essentials for the Electrical Grid course and take the first step toward addressing cybersecurity risk and securing critical infrastructure systems in Texas’ power and energy sector.