US power grid vulnerable to cyber attack

U.S. power grids are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, with the number of susceptible points in electrical networks increasing by about 60 per day, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) said in a webcast on Thursday.

The grid is vulnerable to cyberattacks that could cause catastrophic, widespread, and lengthy blackouts. The effect on hospitals, police departments, banks, gas stations, military bases, and families across America could be disastrous.

But the electricity grid is an attractive target for cyberattacks from U.S. adversaries—such as nations like China and Russia, as well as individual bad actors, such as insiders and criminals.

Solar panels and battery storage are unique because they rely on software to direct the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity rather than doing so through the spinning turbines or mechanical switches in coal and gas power plants. When the two of us worked in the federal government on cyberthreats, we found that this more sophisticated approach to power has many uses for national security.

In addition to being vulnerable to threats of hacking, the aging U.S. power grid is creating large, unpredictable electricity demands leading to unexpected outages in major cities like Los Angeles.Justin Sullivan / Getty Images ... Sept. 2, 2026, 6:00 AM EDT ... WASHINGTON — Iranian hackers have targeted not only U.S. water systems but also America’s telecommunications, energy and other infrastructure in recent weeks, according to four people with access to government and industry information about cyberthreats.

During my first term, I found that the bulk-power system could be a target of those seeking to commit malicious acts against the United States, including malicious cyber activities, because of the significant risks that a successful attack would have on our economy, human health and safety, and national defense.

We find that existing approaches remain insufficient for the complexity of renewable-dominated systems. We conclude by identifying the root causes of past failures and outlining research and policy directions to strengthen cyber resilience in future power systems.

↑ "Officials investigating terrorism-related event after driver rammed car into Nevada power substation". CNN. February 20, 2026. Retrieved February 20, 2026. Campbell, Richard J. "Electric Grid Cybersecurity." Congressional Research Service.

This year, the World Economic Forum ... Intelligence’s 2026 Annual Threat Assessment warned U.S. critical infrastructure, including the energy sector, faces escalating cyber challenges....