As the utility industry, academia and the federal government work together to ensure the so-called "smart grid" is cyber-secure, some researchers say current utility cybersecurity is in a state of near-chaos.

Computerworld reports $14 billion will be pumped into the smart grid between now and 2019.

Pike Research estimates more than half of that is for control system security. But, the research firm also says that a $60 piece of software can bypass an entire defense-in-depth implementation. That theory is being put to the test this week. Critical infrastructure cyber protection is being tested, starting today. There is also a request for public comment on NIST Framework and Roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability Standards.

This story is part of Federal News Radio's daily Cybersecurity Update. For more cybersecurity news, click here.