ABB receives $2.7m cybersecurity grant

ABB has been awarded a $2.765 million grant by the US Department of Energy (DOE) for a project that aims to improve cybersecurity in the energy sector.

ABB will lead the project - which focuses on developing a system to allow electrical substation devices to work together to validate the integrity of communications along a power distribution network, such as a command to change a relay’s configuration - and assess the potential impact on grid operations.

“Protecting our electric grid and oil and gas infrastructure from cyberattack is critical to our preparedness, to our economic security and to public safety,” said Representative David Price, the ranking member of the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee.

“Projects such as ABB’s will make every American more secure by giving energy generators and our homeland security professionals the tools they need to meet the challenges of an evolving cyber landscape.”

“As a leader in power grid solutions, ABB is committed to building an infrastructure with the highest levels of cybersecurity so that, even in the face of challenges, the availability and functional interoperability of our systems is not in question,” said Enrique Santacana, President and CEO of ABB in North America.

The grant awards are a part of the Obama Administration and Congress’ commitment to protecting the US’s critical infrastructure from cybersecurity threats. Since 2010, DOE has invested more than $100 million in cybersecurity research and development through awards and funding provided to industry, universities and national laboratories.