The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is preparing to release its first-ever cybersecurity strategic plan aimed at strengthening the protection and resilience of the nation’s energy grid. The announcement signals a growing urgency around safeguarding critical infrastructure as cyber threats become more sophisticated and frequent.

Alex Fitzsimmons, Under Secretary of Energy and Director of the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER), revealed the initiative during remarks at the McCrary Cyber Summit in Washington, D.C. The upcoming plan will complement the recently published national cyber strategy, focusing specifically on enhancing the security framework of the energy sector.

At the core of the strategy is a strong emphasis on public-private collaboration. Since much of the nation’s energy infrastructure is owned and operated by private companies, Fitzsimmons highlighted the importance of building deeper partnerships to ensure effective cybersecurity defense. He stressed that timely and actionable intelligence sharing between government agencies and private sector organizations will be critical to protecting energy networks.

Fitzsimmons stated, “We have to do that partnership because private sector companies are largely responsible for defending their networks.” “In order for them to secure their networks, we must be able to provide them with timely and useful information.”

Another key focus of the strategic plan is the integration of AI in cybersecurity. As adversaries increasingly deploy AI-powered cyberattack techniques, the DOE aims to invest in artificial intelligence to strengthen defensive capabilities. These investments are expected to enhance threat detection, automate response mechanisms, and improve the overall resilience of critical energy systems.

Fitzsimmons emphasized that AI-driven cybersecurity tools will play a vital role in protecting defense-critical energy infrastructure, particularly in scenarios involving national security risks or future conflicts. By leveraging advanced technologies, the department aims to harden systems against both cyber and physical threats while improving incident response capabilities.

The strategic plan will also prioritize learning from past cyber and physical incidents. Insights gained from previous attacks will be used to refine defense strategies, strengthen infrastructure, and provide better guidance to energy sector stakeholders.

As cyber risks continue to evolve, the DOE’s initiative reflects a broader shift toward proactive, intelligence-driven cybersecurity frameworks. The plan is expected to serve as a roadmap for securing one of the nation’s most vital sectors, ensuring continuity of operations and minimizing disruptions to energy supply.

While an official release date has not yet been confirmed, Fitzsimmons indicated that the cybersecurity strategic plan will be unveiled “soon,” marking a significant step forward in national efforts to protect critical infrastructure from emerging cyber threats.

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