Initiative to Enhance Cybersecurity for Infrastructure
Accenture and Dragos, a company specializing in operational technology (OT) security, in collaboration with the SANS Institute, have announced the establishment of the "Community Cyber Resilience Foundation." This initiative aims to provide technical and security support to small utilities in the water, electricity, and natural gas sectors within the United States, which often suffer from a lack of resources and expertise necessary to protect their operational technology environments.
Details of the Provided Support
The alliance has allocated an initial amount of $10 million, which will be distributed in the form of funding and technical services. The first phase of the initiative aims to cover up to 500 utilities, where participants will receive:
- Advanced security tools, including the Dragos Platform.
- Provision of the hardware necessary to operate these tools.
- Assistance with setup, integration, and ongoing technical support from Accenture.
- Intensive training programs from the SANS Institute for utility staff in the fields of Industrial Control Systems (ICS) security and Operational Technology (OT).
- Access to a peer network to share operational and security expertise.
Why This News Matters
This step comes in response to the increase in cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure, as the United States has recently witnessed attacks on more than 100 water systems across multiple states. Small utilities, especially in rural areas, face complex challenges including limited budgets, a shortage of qualified personnel, and aging technical systems, making them easy targets for attackers.
Eligibility Criteria
To benefit from this initiative, the utility (whether electric, water, or gas) must be based in the United States and have an annual revenue of less than $100 million. Estimates indicate that these criteria cover more than 50,000 organizations, which represents about 97% of total utilities in the United States.
Context of the Collaboration
This initiative is an expansion of the "Community Defense" program launched by Dragos in December 2023. It also comes within a broader strategic context, as Accenture announced four months ago an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Dragos, as part of the company's move to strengthen its capabilities in the field of operational technology security with investments estimated at approximately $4.1 billion.