The electric grid is the backbone of modern life. It powers homes, businesses, hospitals and other critical infrastructure. As the grid becomes more interconnected and digitized, it faces growing threats ranging from cyberattacks to extreme weather events.
Keeping the grid reliable and resilient is essential, and electric cooperatives are actively involved in national efforts to secure the grid. Along with other utilities and grid operators,
co-ops follow standards set by organizations like the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), which mandate protections for critical infrastructure.
Cybersecurity measures: Firewalls, encryption and multi-factor authentication help prevent unauthorized access to control systems. Regular software updates and vulnerability scans reduce risk.
Physical security: Electric substations and control centers are protected with fencing, surveillance and restricted access. Physical breaches or attacks can be just as damaging as cyberattacks.
Resilience: Backup systems and redundant lines ensure power can be rerouted during outages caused by natural events or attacks. This minimizes disruption and speeds recovery.
Each of these standards creates layers of defense, making it harder for any single failure to compromise the entire grid. As threats evolve, so do the tools to combat them. New tools including drones, remote sensors and advanced controls allow co-ops to be more effective in monitoring and responding to grid threats.
Automated sensors and controls allow real-time visibility across the grid and enable rapid response to emergency conditions, either by a human operator or automated settings. Artificial intelligence (AI) can be a powerful technology to enhance these tools, especially in sifting through large amounts of data to detect irregularities or patterns. But, to be effective, AI tools must be well designed, properly trained and incorporated into cybersecurity protections.
Electric co-ops are also making investments to harden their local systems against the growing threat of extreme weather and other natural hazards. These investments include identifying vulnerable parts of the grid, replacing utility poles, burying lines and adding enhanced technologies that allow greater visibility and control to anticipate and respond to emergencies.
Planning for the unexpected is critical. Utilities and government agencies conduct large-scale exercises to test their readiness for emergencies. One example is GridEx, a biennial event organized by NERC that simulates cyber and physical attacks on the electric grid. Thousands of participants, from utilities to law enforcement, work together to identify weaknesses and improve coordination.
These drills serve two purposes. They expose vulnerabilities before real crises occur, and they build relationships among key stakeholders. In an emergency, rapid communication and collaboration can make the difference between a minor disruption and a widespread outage.
Why does this matter? A secure electric grid isn’t just about keeping the lights on; it’s about protecting public health, economic stability and national security in co-op communities. It is about helping to build a grid that is reliable and resilient today and into the future.
Photo courtesy of Maurice van der Velden
