US unveils plan to protect power grid from foreign hackers

The White House unveiled on Tuesday a 100-day plan intended to protect the US power grid from cyber-attacks, mainly by creating a stronger relationship between US national security agencies and the mostly private utilities that run the electrical system.

The plan is among the first big steps toward fulfilling the Biden administration’s promise to urgently improve the country’s cyber defenses. The nation’s power system is both highly vulnerable to hacking and a target for nation-state adversaries looking to counter the US advantage in conventional military and economic power.

“The United States faces a well-documented and increasing cyber threat from malicious actors seeking to disrupt the electricity Americans rely on to power our homes and businesses,” Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said.