Project Guardian 61-7A

The goal of the Cyber Champions program is to identify, replicate, and scale successful cybersecurity efforts and programs within cooperative utilities focusing on cybersecurity awareness, services, guidance, and collaboration in a specific area or region. NRECA will work with members to define a framework for Cyber Champions, create a roadmap, understand regional needs, and identify roadblocks. The program also seeks to enhance collaboration between member cooperatives with local, state, federal, and other industry organizations for cybersecurity communication, including the involvement of NRECA's Threat Analysis Center (TAC).
 

Through this funding, NRECA Research will develop content and publish it on NRECA's Threat Analysis Center (TAC) platform. Content to be published may include tabletop exercises, crisis communication guidelines, on-ramp guides for TAC usage, advisories on emerging or shared threats, incident response templates, and supply chain risk resources. Where possible, NRECA Research will also share these materials broadly with all co-ops.
 

To enhance cyber resilience, the program will review self-assessment frameworks that allow members to identify and proactively address potential vulnerabilities. Additionally, the program will develop right-sized incident response plans tailored to cooperatives to improve incident response capabilities and ensure that cyber threats are managed to minimize impacts. The cyber resilience initiative also looks to conduct tabletop and purple team exercises to raise awareness and strengthen member resilience by simulating real-world scenarios and providing an opportunity for cooperatives to refine their response strategies. Together, these actions form a robust approach to maintaining and improving cyber resilience.
 

NRECA Research will utilize funding through this program to review and standardize job descriptions for those with cybersecurity roles. We will work with co-op managers and other industry stakeholders to align roles with industry needs to inform career roadmaps and training programs.