Energy Modernization Cybersecurity Implementation Plan ()

Key Chapter Title List

1. Introduction and Overview
2. Grid Transformation
3. Addressing Evolving Threats
4. Key Core Technologies
5. Implementation Plan Reading Guide
6. Cross-Cutting Issues
7. Batteries and Battery Management Systems
8. Inverter Control and Power Conversion Equipment
9. Distributed Control Systems
10. Building Energy Management Systems
11. Electric Vehicles and Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment
12. Cybersecurity Workforce Development

Document Introduction

The U.S. energy sector is undergoing a profound digital transformation. Interconnected technologies in the grid, energy storage, transportation, and other areas have significantly enhanced the efficiency, security, and resilience of the energy system. However, the convergence of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) has also introduced severe cybersecurity risks. Released in December 2024, the "Energy Modernization Cybersecurity Implementation Plan" (EMCIP) serves as the U.S. government's core roadmap for coordinating cybersecurity in the energy sector. It outlines 32 high-impact initiatives aimed at building a cybersecurity framework suited for 21st-century energy infrastructure needs through cross-agency collaboration and public-private partnerships.

The report first analyzes the core characteristics of the U.S. grid transformation: the large-scale deployment of renewable energy (wind, solar), the widespread application of battery energy storage systems, the rapid growth of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) (projected to increase from 90 GW to 380 GW between 2024 and 2025), and the proliferation of grid-edge technologies. These changes are reshaping the design, construction, and operational logic of the energy system while also introducing new security vulnerabilities. Simultaneously, the escalation of ransomware threats and the widespread adoption of cloud technologies and automation are further exacerbating cybersecurity challenges for the energy ecosystem.

Based on this context, the report focuses on cybersecurity protection for five key core technologies: batteries and battery management systems, inverter control and power conversion equipment, distributed control systems, building energy management systems, and electric vehicles and electric vehicle supply equipment (EV/EVSE). It also includes a chapter on cross-cutting issues, forming a dual architecture of "common governance + specialized protection." Each initiative specifies the responsible agencies, participating entities, and completion deadlines (by Q1 of Fiscal Year 2027), covering critical dimensions such as collaboration, standard development, risk assessment, workforce development, and supply chain security.

Regarding the implementation path, the plan emphasizes the comprehensive application of the "Secure-by-Design" principle. It aims to achieve proactive risk prevention and control by unifying data standards, improving supply chain review mechanisms (e.g., Software Bill of Materials SBOM, Hardware Bill of Materials HBOM), and establishing industry communities of practice. Furthermore, it highlights public-private collaboration and interagency coordination, clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of agencies such as the Department of Energy (DOE), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) under the Department of Homeland Security, and the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD), to promote threat intelligence sharing, joint exercises, and collaborative technology research and development.

The core value of this plan lies in constructing a dynamic and flexible cybersecurity governance system. It addresses security vulnerabilities in currently deployed technologies while also providing adaptability for future energy technology developments. Through measures such as standardizing frameworks to reduce cross-state operational costs, strengthening end-to-end supply chain risk management, and cultivating specialized cybersecurity talent, the U.S. government seeks to advance the clean energy transition and achieve energy modernization goals while ensuring the security and reliability of the energy system, offering a systematic solution for critical infrastructure cybersecurity governance.