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Just three months after their launch, some electric cooperatives are already reaching NRECA’s Level Two Cyber Goals, a voluntary set of tasks and objectives to help keep co-op operations and members cyber-safe.
To date, at least 415 co-ops across the country are participating in NRECA’s Cyber Goals Program, and 112 have completed the 10 Level One goals, which launched in January 2023.
“Providing excellent cybersecurity measures for our co-op is just as important as providing quality power to our members in my opinion,” said Justin Davidson, IT manager at Markle, Indiana-based Heartland REMC. “We have focused on the NRECA Cyber Goals since they were launched, and we are very proud to have accomplished these goals in the time we have.”
Co-op leaders say cybersecurity is a priority because of the significant damage an attack can inflict and the growing threats across the industry.
“We have a responsibility to ensure that we are there for the members,” said Hunter Robinson, CEO of Summerdale, Alabama-based Baldwin County EMC. “This involves protecting all infrastructure, electrical and digital, to the best of our ability. This program helps ready the co-op to meet the needs of today and prepare for the future.”
The Cyber Goals can be completed in any order at a co-op’s own pace and are adaptable to each co-op’s specific situation and cybersecurity maturity. Co-ops receive a commemorative coin when they complete a level.
“There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to cybersecurity for co-ops, but the NRECA program is very good and aligns with industry-leading cybersecurity programs that support critical infrastructure,” said Daniel Fowler, technology program manager at Bastrop, Texas-based Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.
All co-ops that achieve the first or second set of NRECA’s Cyber Goals will be recognized at the fourth annual Co-op Cyber Tech in Denver June 24-26, 2025.
"We are thrilled to acknowledge electric co-ops’ achievements in NRECA’s Co-op Cyber Goals Program,” said Justin Luebbert, NRECA cybersecurity principal.
“Their commitment to excellence and unwavering focus on improving their cybersecurity maturity are testaments to their dedication, hard work, and achievement of this milestone. We encourage all co-ops to gain these important benefits for their organizations and their members.”
