In a new report, the GAO has made a preliminary assessment of the measures that the DHS has taken to protect the US electric grid from electromagnetic threats.
The report states that:
As of July 2015, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported taking several actions that could help address electromagnetic threats to the electric grid. GAO's preliminary analysis of DHS's actions indicates that they generally fell under four categories:
- Developing reports,
- Identifying mitigation efforts,
- Strategy development and planning, and
- Conducting exercises.
GAO suggests that DHS, in conjunction with the Department of Energy (DOE), has not fully addressed a key critical infrastructure protection responsibility: the identification of clear internal agency roles and responsibilities related to addressing electromagnetic threats.
DHS has also coordinated with federal and industry stakeholders to address some, but not all risks to the electrical grid.
Read the report (PDF).
