On Dec. 5th, 2011, Don Reisinger wrote for CNET on a recent MIT study that concluded the US power grid should be controlled by a single entity. According to the article, the MIT researchers concluded that the "many stakeholders involved in maintaining the U.S. electrical grid aren't working together." As a result, there is no "single operational entity with responsibility for grid cybersecurity preparedness as well as response and recovery", and this ultimately creates security problems.
According to the article, the MIT researchers suggested that "the federal government should designate a single agency to . . . have appropriate regulatory authority to enhance cybersecurity preparedness, response, and recovery across the electric power sector, including bulk power and distribution systems."
Thus, the question becomes, which agency should control the electric grid? The article notes that the Obama administration has argued for DHS control of the power grid, but Congressional leaders have suggested the Department of Energy or Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
The source article can be found here.
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Update: The MIT report on the electric grid.
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