Union Minister Manohar Lal inaugurated the COMPUTER SECURITY INCIDENT RESPONSE TEAM – POWER (CSIRT–POWER) facility at Northern Regional Power Committee in New Delhi.

On the occasion, the Union Minister said the CSIRT Power facility is a significant step forward in the mission to protect one of the most vital components of our national infrastructure—our power infrastructure.

The minister also said that the threats we face today are unlike those of the past. Cyberattacks have emerged as a serious and growing concern, capable of causing significant disruptions with far-reaching consequences. The power sector, being at the heart of our national infrastructure, is a prime target for such attacks.

He said that the CSIRT-Power is a proactive response to these challenges. It is more than just a facility—it is a fortress, built to defend our power system from the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.

The power sector's digital infrastructure faces heightened threats from nation/state-sponsored adversaries with advanced capabilities. The existing sub-sectoral Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) lack the necessary legal mandate, resources, and skilled professionals to address cybersecurity incidents effectively. The sector's ongoing digital transformation has expanded the attack surface, increasing vulnerabilities. Additionally, compliance with the National Cyber Security Policy, 2013, requires the establishment of sectoral CERTs, emphasizing the need for centralized coordination to strengthen cybersecurity efforts and support constituent utilities in decision-making and specialized responses.

In response to potential cyber threats, the Ministry of Power, as part of the 100-day initiatives, following the National Cyber Security Policy and in collaboration with CERT-In, initiated the creation of a specialized Computer Security Incident Response Team for the power sector (CSIRT-Power). Equipped with advanced infrastructure, cutting-edge cybersecurity tools, and key resources, CSIRT-Power is now well-prepared to tackle emerging threats. With a dedicated team of experts, it is set to become a cornerstone of the sector's cyber defence, coordinating incident response, establishing a strong cybersecurity framework, and implementing crucial measures to enhance overall preparedness and resilience.

The primary objective of CSIRT-Power is to build and enhance the cybersecurity resilience in the Indian Power Sector, through a structured and coordinated approach. The associated key objectives are:

To serve as the responsible agency for responding to and preventing cybersecurity incidents within the power sector.

To ensure a prompt and coordinated response to cyber threats in the power sector.

To collect, analyze, and share information regarding power sector-specific cyber threats.

To ensure implementation of proactive measures to increase cybersecurity awareness and  improve the overall cybersecurity posture of the power sector.

To promote sector specific best practices, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and security policies.

To provide cybersecurity expertise and assistance to constituent utilities.

To enhance cybersecurity in the power sector through capacity building measures like training, development of standards, and incident response drills, collaboration with educational institutions and industry.

To facilitate cooperation among stakeholders in the power sector to build awareness and strengthen collective cybersecurity efforts.