FEDERALhearing transcript

Senate Hearing on Cybersecurity for U.S. Energy Systems

Original title: EFFORTS TO PROTECT U.S. ENERGY DELIVERY SYSTEMS FROM CYBERSECURITY THREATS

January 1, 2018

cybersecurity energy infrastructure national security internet of things utility regulation

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The Frame

What this does

The hearing addresses the security of the nation's power and gas infrastructure, which directly impacts the reliability of energy services for all residents and businesses.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Energy Consumers

The security of the energy grid directly impacts the reliability and safety of energy services provided to households and businesses.

Energy Utility Companies

These entities are responsible for implementing cybersecurity measures to protect their infrastructure from digital threats.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2018.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

This Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing examined the vulnerabilities of the U.S. energy grid to cyberattacks. Experts and officials discussed how the integration of internet-connected devices into energy delivery systems has increased the risk of digital intrusion.

Key Facts

The hearing took place on April 4, 2017, in the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
The Committee examined how the 'Internet of Things' and increased connectivity in energy systems have created new vulnerabilities for cyber intrusion.
The hearing included testimony from representatives of the Department of Energy, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, the American Gas Association, Idaho National Laboratory, and the Washington Air National Guard.
The discussion focused on balancing technological efficiency and consumer convenience with the need for resilient energy delivery systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of this hearing?

To review how the federal government and the energy industry are working together to protect the U.S. power grid and energy delivery systems from cyber threats.

Who testified at the hearing?

Experts from the Department of Energy, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, the American Gas Association, Idaho National Laboratory, and the Washington Air National Guard.

Why It Matters

The hearing addresses the security of the nation's power and gas infrastructure, which directly impacts the reliability of energy services for all residents and businesses.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Early focus on IoT in energy

The hearing highlights that as early as 2017, the Senate was formally identifying the 'Internet of Things' as a primary vector for energy grid vulnerability.

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

Connected Entities

personDave McCurdy“CEO of American Gas Association”Map →

personMartin Heinrich“U.S. Senator from New Mexico”Map →

personLisa Murkowski“Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources”Map →

personGent Welsh“Colonel, Washington Air National Guard”Map →

personPatricia Hoffman“Acting Assistant Secretary, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliabilit”Map →

personDuane D. Highley“CEO of Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation”Map →

personGerry W. Cauley“CEO of North American Electric Reliability Corporation”Map →

personAndrew A. Bochman“Strategist at Idaho National Laboratory”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance65
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy10
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz10
Current news / social attention level

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