+
Centre Strengthens Cybersecurity Framework Across India’s Power Sector
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

Centre Strengthens Cybersecurity Framework Across India’s Power Sector

The POWERGRID Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Cybersecurity has been established at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru to advance research and development in cybersecurity for power grid operations and transmission systems. The initiative is part of India’s broader effort to build a resilient and secure power ecosystem.

To strengthen cyber readiness across the sector, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) issued the Cyber Security in Power Sector Guidelines, 2021, creating a comprehensive cyber assurance framework and governance structure for all power entities. Further, the draft CEA (Cyber Security in Power Sector) Regulations, 2025 are in the final stages of preparation and will provide a more detailed security framework once notified.

The Ministry of Power established the Computer Security Incident Response Team – Power (CSIRT-Power) on 5 April 2023 at CEA as an extended arm of CERT-In. CSIRT-Power supports utilities in detecting, responding to and managing cyber incidents, and in strengthening overall preparedness. The Ministry has also created six sub-sectoral Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) covering Thermal, Hydro, Transmission, Grid Operation, Renewable Energy and Distribution. Each CERT is developing a dedicated Cyber Crisis Management Plan (C-CMP) for coordinated mitigation during cyber-attacks.

In Gujarat, the Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO) has implemented a comprehensive cybersecurity framework, including strict access controls, enhanced endpoint protection, encrypted communications, next-generation firewalls between Remote Control Centres and the State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC), and upgraded antivirus systems to prevent malware.

Importantly, over the past five years, no cybersecurity breaches or successful attacks have been reported in the operational systems of the National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC).

Periodic cybersecurity audits are conducted across the power sector under the 2021 CEA Guidelines, carried out by CERT-In–empanelled third-party auditors. At the NLDC, nine assessments of IT infrastructure and five assessments of Operational Technology (OT) systems have been completed in the past five years, including SCADA and related systems. Similar audits are routinely conducted across all SLDCs, covering IT, OT and critical systems such as SCADA and the Unified Real-Time Dynamic State Measurement (URTDSM) platform.

These initiatives collectively strengthen India’s power sector resilience, ensure secure operations and reinforce national preparedness against evolving cyber threats.

The POWERGRID Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Cybersecurity has been established at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru to advance research and development in cybersecurity for power grid operations and transmission systems. The initiative is part of India’s broader effort to build a resilient and secure power ecosystem. To strengthen cyber readiness across the sector, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) issued the Cyber Security in Power Sector Guidelines, 2021, creating a comprehensive cyber assurance framework and governance structure for all power entities. Further, the draft CEA (Cyber Security in Power Sector) Regulations, 2025 are in the final stages of preparation and will provide a more detailed security framework once notified. The Ministry of Power established the Computer Security Incident Response Team – Power (CSIRT-Power) on 5 April 2023 at CEA as an extended arm of CERT-In. CSIRT-Power supports utilities in detecting, responding to and managing cyber incidents, and in strengthening overall preparedness. The Ministry has also created six sub-sectoral Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) covering Thermal, Hydro, Transmission, Grid Operation, Renewable Energy and Distribution. Each CERT is developing a dedicated Cyber Crisis Management Plan (C-CMP) for coordinated mitigation during cyber-attacks. In Gujarat, the Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO) has implemented a comprehensive cybersecurity framework, including strict access controls, enhanced endpoint protection, encrypted communications, next-generation firewalls between Remote Control Centres and the State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC), and upgraded antivirus systems to prevent malware. Importantly, over the past five years, no cybersecurity breaches or successful attacks have been reported in the operational systems of the National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC). Periodic cybersecurity audits are conducted across the power sector under the 2021 CEA Guidelines, carried out by CERT-In–empanelled third-party auditors. At the NLDC, nine assessments of IT infrastructure and five assessments of Operational Technology (OT) systems have been completed in the past five years, including SCADA and related systems. Similar audits are routinely conducted across all SLDCs, covering IT, OT and critical systems such as SCADA and the Unified Real-Time Dynamic State Measurement (URTDSM) platform. These initiatives collectively strengthen India’s power sector resilience, ensure secure operations and reinforce national preparedness against evolving cyber threats.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

BMW Ventures Secures Rs 249.83 Million (mn) Steel Orders

BMW Ventures Limited said it has secured two purchase orders totalling Rs 249.83 million (mn) from Lata Projects Limited for the supply of TMT steel FE-550D grade for three units of 800 megawatt (MW) capacity at the USCTPP Adani project. The orders were disclosed to the stock exchanges under Regulation 30 of the SEBI Listing Regulations and carry a contract value inclusive of all taxes.\n\nThe company stated that the orders will be executed within eight weeks from the date of the purchase orders and that the contract provides for 100 per cent advance payment with specified guarantees. The supp..

Next Story
Real Estate

Housing Sales Dip in Top Eight Cities in Q2, Pune and Bengaluru Hit Hard

Housing sales across the top eight cities fell six point one per cent year-on-year to 91,729 units in the April-June quarter from 97,674 a year earlier, PropTiger’s Real Insight Residential report showed. The moderation reflected seasonal pre-monsoon effects and heightened buyer caution amid the US-Iran conflict. New launches rose six per cent to 89,161 units. The impact was concentrated in technology-driven markets, with Pune and Bengaluru among the hardest hit. Pune recorded the steepest annual decline at 20.8 per cent, with sales falling to 12,642 units, while Ahmedabad declined 20.2 per ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India And ADB Sign US$230 Million Loan To Modernise Chennai Water

The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a US$230 million loan to modernise and expand water supply and sanitation infrastructure in Chennai. Saurabh Singh, Deputy Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), signed on behalf of the Government of India and Mio Oka, Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission, signed for the lender. The engagement was guided by Baldeo Purushartha, Joint Secretary (ADB and Japan), DEA. The Chennai Climate-Resilient Water Security and Sewerage Project aims to improve access to safe and reliable water and sanitation citywide w..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code