Every component of society is becoming more connected to the internet, including hydropower facilities. Dams supply electricity to the United States’ grid, powering everything from homes to electrical devices. 

Digitalization refers to the ever-increasing interconnectedness within our world, including the ability to share data with each other, and for systems to make decisions autonomously. To improve hydropower’s operational efficiency and keep electricity costs as low as possible, digitalization of hydropower systems is inevitable. 

However, as internet connectivity, access, and automation increases, so do the risks of compromises to hydropower operations and security. It’s vital to protect internet-connected devices, including those integrated with hydropower, from cyberattacks.

PNNL cybersecurity experts and capabilities are helping to protect our country’s valuable hydropower resources during the transition to a digitalized world. PNNL researchers have assessed a portion of the existing hydropower fleet by information technology components and physical infrastructure configurations to categorize potential cyber risk. Researchers also continually develop and evolve new technologies to prevent intrusion to hydropower networks, data systems, and infrastructure—including the establishment of clear paths to response and recovery after a cybersecurity incident. 

Cybersecurity protection measures created at PNNL help keep electricity reliably flowing for all its many uses.