GAO: Cyber challenges exist for Smart Grid

Increased use of a smart grid has benefits. The GAO finds being more cyber secure isn\'t one of them.

The Government Accountability Office has taken a closer look at smart grid cybersecurity guidelines, and how those standards are being adopted. GAO investigators identified several challenges. They found that utilities are focusing on compliance, not security; that consumers simply aren’t being told about the benefits and risks of the smart grid and that there is an overall lack of security features being built into the system. GAO recommends that the National Institute of Standards and Technology finalize its plan for cybersecurity guidelines, and that Federal Energy Regulatory Commission focus on compliance. Both agencies agreed with these recommendations.

This story is part of Federal News Radio’s daily Cybersecurity Update brought to you by Tripwire. For more cybersecurity news, click here.

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