Secure Energy Defenders Program (SEDP)

SEDP takes an assessment-led approach: each participating utility first receives a no-cost cybersecurity needs assessment, which becomes the basis for a tailored roadmap of training and technical assistance built around that utility's actual staffing, systems, and priorities. From there, the program delivers:

  • Tiered training for every level of a utility's workforce — foundational cyber hygiene for general staff, risk and decision-making content for leadership (including board members), and deep technical training in industrial control systems for technical staff.

  • Hands-on technical assistance, including tabletop exercises, incident response planning, OT sensor placement strategy, and supply chain risk reviews.

  • Direct access to Idaho National Laboratory's cybersecurity expertise, backed by more than 2,000 hours of dedicated INL analyst time committed to the program.

  • Ongoing threat intelligence and peer information sharing through Forge's Emerging Threat Center (ETC).

Client Reviews

"INL brings decades of frontline expertise in industrial control systems and operational technology security, the exact technology that runs the substations and grid controls utilities depend on every day. Through SEDP, we're committing more than 2,000 hours of our analysts' time directly to Arkansas's munis and co-ops — conducting hands-on assessments, building tailored roadmaps, and working side-by-side with utility staff to bolster their cybersecurity posture."

— Dr. Emma Stewart
Chief Power Grid Scientist
Idaho National Lab

“Securing our electric grid is vital for our national and our state’s security, ensuring that we have a strong and resilient grid that will withstand cyberattacks. The new Secure Energy Defenders Program will be an important program for our state’s electric cooperatives and municipal utilities, providing valuable training and technical assistance through the Forge Institute. We thank the partners for their important work to secure the electric grid in Arkansas.”

— Hugh T. McDonald
Secretary, Arkansas Department of Commerce

“Rural and municipal utilities are on the front lines of a threat most of the country never sees — and they've been asked to defend against nation-state-level adversaries with a fraction of the resources. The Secure Energy Defenders Program helps close that gap. This is exactly why Forge exists: to bring national-grade expertise and federal resources to the communities that could never access it alone, and to help build resilience to ensure our communities stay one step ahead.”

— Lee Watson
Chairman & CEO
Forge Institute

Federal Funding Acknowledgement and Disclaimer

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) under the Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity (RMUC) Program, Secure Energy Defenders Program (SEDP), award Number DE-CR0000113.

This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.