US Depts Co-operate on Energy Security

Three US departments – energy, homeland Security and defence – have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to partner on a new Energy Sector Pathfinder initiative, it was announced February 3.

The goals are to advance information sharing, improve training and education to understand systemic risks, and develop joint operational preparedness and response activities to cybersecurity threats and the agreement coincides with a call from Saudi Arabia to work closely on this issue (see below).

“Through this agreement, we will strengthen the partnership between DOE, DHS, and DoD to enable intergovernmental co-operation and bolster our ability to proactively address cyber threats to critical energy infrastructure, and to respond effectively should those threats materialise,” said DOE.

Private cybersecurity firm Claroty said  it was "encouraging to see DHS, DOE, and DOD working collaboratively on sector-specific critical infrastructure protection, especially as it relates to the energy sector. All three agencies bring unique competencies to addressing the challenges of energy cybersecurity and this MoU paves the way for a whole-of-government plus industry approach.”

Saudi Aramco commits to cybersecurity

Saudi Aramco’s CEO Amin Nasser told a domestic cybersecurity conference of the need to strengthen regional and international cyber-deterrence. He encouraged businesses to work with governments and strengthen existing international frameworks. 

He said: “Aligning cybersecurity policy, collaborating on technology and sharing information and experience beyond the fence, is non-negotiable,” noting that company fences and national boundaries are meaningless concepts in this domain. “To beat a network, we need to be a network... It is therefore necessary to accelerate the development of a clear global framework that constitutes an international legal reference in cybersecurity governance and enhances measures against entities involved in cyber-terrorism."