New Cybersecurity Initiatives Boost Power Sector Resilience
The Indian power sector is making significant strides in strengthening its cybersecurity framework. With the establishment of the POWERGRID Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Cybersecurity at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, the focus on research and development in this critical field is expected to enhance the security of power grid operations and transmission systems.
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has taken proactive measures by issuing the Cyber Security in Power Sector Guidelines, 2021. These guidelines provide a robust cyber assurance framework aimed at reinforcing the governance structure across various entities in the power sector. Additionally, the Draft Central Electricity Authority (Cyber Security in Power Sector) Regulations, 2025, are currently in the final stages of development, which will further delineate cybersecurity protocols within the industry.
Computer Security Initiatives Launched
On April 5, 2023, the Ministry of Power (MoP) established the Computer Security Incident Response Team – Power (CSIRT-Power) at the CEA. This initiative serves as an extension of CERT-In, providing necessary support to utilities in their efforts to detect, respond to, and manage cyber incidents while enhancing overall preparedness against potential threats. Furthermore, MoP has initiated six sub-sectoral Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) focused on specific areas—Thermal, Hydro, Transmission, Grid Operation, Renewable Energy, and Distribution. Each of these teams is tasked with creating a model Cyber Crisis Management Plan (C-CMP) tailored to their respective sub-sectors, aiming for a coordinated response in the event of cyber threats.
Showcasing Cybersecurity Measures
The Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO) has reported the implementation of a comprehensive cybersecurity framework within the state of Gujarat. This framework includes strict access controls, enhanced endpoint protection, minimized system exposure, and secure communication channels. Notably, the deployment of advanced firewalls between Remote Control Centres and the State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC) is pivotal in safeguarding critical infrastructures from potential cyber threats.
Encouragingly, in the last five years, there have been no reported cybersecurity breaches or successful attacks on the operational systems of the National Load Despatch Centre. Regular cybersecurity audits, conducted in line with the CEA guidelines, have been a part of this vigilance, with third-party auditors from CERT-In assessing both Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) infrastructures.
Regular Cybersecurity Audits Scheduled
To ensure ongoing security, the National Load Despatch Centre conducts periodic assessments of its IT and OT systems. For instance, audit schedules for the upcoming financial years include multiple assessments of SCADA systems, which are crucial for real-time monitoring and control of power operations.
| Financial Year (FY) | IT (Month & Year) | Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (Month & Year) |
|---|---|---|
| F.Y. 2025–26 | September-25 (Cycle-1) | June-25 |
| F.Y. 2024–25 | April-24 (Cycle-1), January-25 (Cycle-2) | June-24 |
| F.Y. 2023–24 | August-23 (Cycle-1), March-24 (Cycle-2) | May-23 |
| F.Y. 2022–23 | July-22 (Cycle-1), January-23 (Cycle-2) | September-22 |
| F.Y. 2021–22 | August-21 (Cycle-1), February-22 (Cycle-2) | Project Under Upgradation |
This information was provided by the Minister of State for Power, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, during a recent session in the Lok Sabha, highlighting the government’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the cybersecurity of India’s power infrastructure.
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