Today’s energy industry is undergoing rapid digitalization, conducting more and more operations and planning via online platforms that are vulnerable to attack. Because of this rapid change, the development of cybersecurity strategies is critical to reduce vulnerabilities, protect assets and ensure reliability. The threat of cyberattacks on electrical infrastructure poses a large-scale threat when considering that failures in one location can cascade to affect the rest of the network. System-wide cybersecurity and protection of critical infrastructure assets against these threats begins with a cyber-aware workforce trained to identify threat vectors, recognize vulnerabilities, and implement mitigation strategies.

To address this need, AmpUp created and began implementing a Cybersecurity and Digitalization Partnership targeting utilities in USAID partner countries. Partnership participants gain the knowledge and skills to safely modernize the energy sector through digitalization and implement cybersecurity in their own utilities. This program aligns with USAID’s goal to mitigate the cybersecurity risks stemming from accelerated digital technology adoption.