CRI, CyManII launch pilot program to enhance cybersecurity in energy manufacturing sector

The Cyber Readiness Institute (CRI) and Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institute (CyManII) launched on Monday a pilot program aimed at elevating cyber readiness and security within the energy manufacturing sector. The pilot program will utilize CRI’s Cyber Readiness Program to assist up to 200 manufacturers in the United States. 

Through this partnership, CyManII will provide manufacturers in the energy sector access to CRI’s free Cyber Readiness Program. The CRI/CyManII partnership is in response to the sharp rise in the number of cyber attacks targeting small and medium-sized manufacturers. The initiative emphasizes CRI and CyManII’s commitment to providing essential support and resources for small and medium-sized manufacturers, strengthening their defenses against evolving cyber threats.

The Cyber Readiness Program is designed to assist small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in improving their cybersecurity risk management and their ability to respond and recover from a cybersecurity incident.

Focused on human behavior, the Cyber Readiness Program delivers cyber best practices and guides organizations through the development of key business continuity measures. Manufacturers will benefit from personalized guidance from a dedicated CRI Certified Cyber Coach, establishing a foundation of understanding and translating knowledge into actionable security measures.

“This pilot program is an important first step in strengthening the cyber readiness of small and medium manufacturers,” Karen S. Evans, CRI managing director, noted in a media statement. “By melding CRI’s resources with CyManII’s expertise, our aim is to forge a more resilient and secure manufacturing ecosystem in the energy sector.”

Dr. Howard Grimes, CEO of CyManII, adds, “U.S. manufacturing is an engine for our national economy and security.  It is critical that we cyber secure our manufacturers, especially the small and medium-sized companies. This partnership between CyManII and CRI delivers necessary training that addresses the root cause of cyber attacks aimed at U.S. manufacturers.”

This collaboration between CRI and CyManII will offer valuable resources to enhance the cyber readiness of energy manufacturers and mitigate potential risks in a vital sector of the U.S. economy.  

As cyber threats evolve, the pilot program serves as a proactive measure, equipping manufacturers with the knowledge and tools necessary to safeguard critical supply chains. The partnership will facilitate the exchange of best practices, acting as a catalyst for the ongoing development of free cybersecurity tools and resources specifically tailored to small and medium-sized manufacturers.

The Cyber Readiness Program has been designed to be clear and accessible for SMEs regardless of size, technical expertise, and industry sector. Designed in collaboration with cyber experts from leading organizations, the Program focuses on human behavior. The Program helps a designated Cyber Leader develop and implement cyber readiness policies throughout the organization. 

From checklists to policy templates and training materials, Cyber Leaders have everything they need to engage their workforce and build a cyber-ready organization. The Program only requires a few short weeks and very minimal technical expertise to complete.

Last August, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) collaborated with the CyManII and issued a new request for proposal (RFP) for up to US$4.7 million. The move aims to enhance the cybersecurity landscape within American manufacturing. The RFP is soliciting projects within three critical industry use cases (IUCs), including industrial control systems (ICS), secure industrial digitalization, and industrial additive manufacturing.

Anna Ribeiro

Industrial Cyber News Editor. Anna Ribeiro is a freelance journalist with over 14 years of experience in the areas of security, data storage, virtualization and IoT.