Sens. Warren, Tillis introduce bill requiring report on cybersecurity risks to electric grid

U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) recently introduced legislation that would require the Department of Defense (DOD) to produce a one-time report on cybersecurity risks to the electric grid and the effects of those risks on military readiness.

Under the Securing the Electric Grid to Protect Military Readiness Act of 2017, the Secretary of Defense would coordinate with the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of National Intelligence to submit the report to Congress.

“The success of our military operations depends significantly upon maintaining a stable and secure electrical grid here at home,” Warren said. “This legislation would help address critical vulnerabilities in our electrical infrastructure to further strengthen our military readiness.”

The required report would also assess the strategic benefits and challenges of isolating military infrastructure from the electric grid and recommend a strategy to address relevant security risks.

“As the global threats evolve and our adversaries continue to develop new ways to attempt to disrupt our military operations, it is important to recognize our key vulnerabilities,” Tillis said. “This bipartisan legislation will ensure defense leaders can identify and understand any vulnerabilities to our electrical infrastructure so we can protect DoD assets and installations from potential threats.”