Grid security funding not included in Biden’s infrastructure plan

President Biden‘s $2.25 trillion infrastructure plan does not include any funds to protect critical infrastructure against cyberattacks, even as the threat grows against targets such as the electric grid.

Experts say it was disappointing to see there were no funds set aside to defend systems critical to everyday life from hackers, particularly as the proposal does including things such as $100 billion for improving grid resiliency, the creation of new jobs and developing more clean electricity.

“It is a bit of an eyesore of not seeing a more prominent listing of cybersecurity in this, but I think there will be more to come,” said Tobias Whitney, vice president of energy security solutions at Fortress Information Security, which works with grid operators.

The cybersecurity of the grid has become an area of increasing concern in recent years as hackers have ratcheted up efforts to target critical systems. Those efforts accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A National Security Council spokesperson told The Hill on Thursday that the administration “is committed to safeguarding the cybersecurity of U.S. critical infrastructure from persistent and sophisticated threats” and has “launched a 100 Day Control Systems cybersecurity initiative, working closely with the private sector that manages much of this critical infrastructure like those for electricity and water, to improve cybersecurity.”