Registration is now open for a FREE Cybersecurity Training for the Utility Workforce hosted by DOE CESER in Columbus, Ohio October 31-November 2.

This training is open to all electric utilities, including electric cooperative, public power, investor-owned, and tribal utilities.

The classes have been used overseas to train utilities to defend against cyber attacks in areas of conflict. Please see below for additional details from DOE on this unique training opportunity.
 
Cybersecurity Training for the Utility Workforce – Registration now open
Starting October 31, the Department of Energy will host a series of six cybersecurity training events specifically for electric utility staff. Registration for these training events is free. 
 
These classes have been used overseas to train utilities to defend against cyber attacks in areas of conflict. This is not your average cybersecurity training event. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity.
 
Please use your utility’s email address when you register to attend. Your registration information will be reviewed and you will receive a registration confirmation after it is approved.
 
Here’s a breakdown of who’s teaching what and the CPEs associated with each class:

• (6.5 CPEs):  Tim Conway DOE CyberStrike
• (6 CPEs):  Dean Parsons and Jeffrey ShearerICS Cybersecurity Foundations
• (3 CPEs):  John Doyle CTI in Times of Conflict
• (3 CPEs):  Jon Gorenflo Defending Against State Sponsored Attacks
• (3 CPEs):  Dean Parsons ICS Security for Leaders and Managers
• (3 CPEs):  Mick Douglas OSINT-Practical Open-Source Intelligence Techniques for Defense
• (6 CPEs):  Jason Dely, Dean Parsons, Jeffrey Shearer, and Tim ConwayRed Team/Blue Team Challenge Competition

You can find more information about the instructors and register for DOE’s Cybersecurity Training series at: https://www.eventleaf.com/c/CybersecurityTrainingUtilityWorkforce
 
Registration is NOW OPEN for the following training events.  Register at: https://www.eventleaf.com/c/CybersecurityTrainingUtilityWorkforce

• October 31-November 2, 2023, in Columbus, OH
  
• November 28-30, 2023, in Orlando, FL
  
•  December 5-7, 2023, in Kansas City, MO
  

 Registration Will Open Soon for the Following Training Events

• January 23-25, 2024, in Dallas, TX
  
• January 17-19, 2024, in San Diego, CA
  
• April 23-25, 2024, in Buffalo, NY
  

Each training event will cover the same material. This series of training events is supported by funding provided to CESER under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Participants are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and meal costs. Below is a summary of the training classes.

The State of Iowa will receive FEMA disaster funding under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) as part of Presidential disaster declaration DR-4732-IA (August 25, 2023) as a result of flooding that occurred in our State April-May 2023.
 
Project Types
 
The State is accepting Notice of Interests (NOIs) for those eligible hazard mitigation project types that will reduce or eliminate losses from future natural disasters, including but not limited to:
 

• Priority #1 (category A) Property Acquisition/Elevation, electric utility hardening, detention basins, warning sirens. (See attached addendum for additional project types)
• Priority #2 (category B) Elevate/protect wastewater lift stations, backup generators. (See attached addendum for additional project types)
• Priority #3 (category C) Tornado Safe Rooms, small flood barriers. (See attached addendum for additional project types)

 
Eligible Applicant
 
Potentially eligible applicants include:
 

• State agencies and local governments
• Federally recognized Indian tribal governments, including State-recognized Indian tribes, and authorized tribal organizations
• Private nonprofit (PNP) organizations or institutions that operate a PNP facility as defined in the 44 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 206.221(e).

 
The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) requires a FEMA approved local hazard mitigation plan prior to FEMA awarding HMGP project funds. Funding will be limited to sub-applicants with an approved local hazard mitigation plan at time of award.
 
Applicants with proposed projects located in a FEMA-identified Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) are eligible for State funding only if the jurisdiction in which the project is located is participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). There is no NFIP participation requirement for projects located outside of the SFHA.
 
Cost Share:
 
This is a cost share grant program which means that awarded grants will be funded as follows:
 

• Federal (FEMA) share of total eligible costs – 75% maximum
• Non-Federal share of total eligible costs – 25%
  • State of Iowa – 10% (typical)
  • Local – 15%

 
Iowa Code 455B.262A [effective 6-30-2011]; State participation in funding financial assistance (10% State cost share) for a flood related disaster requires participation in the NFIP for a city or county with an effective FEMA published flood insurance map that identifies a SFHA. To determine NFIP participation please visit: http://www.fema.gov/cis/IA.html.
 
Notice of Interest (NOI) & Application Process
 
Applicants must complete the appropriate (project specific) NOI form located in the EM Grants Pro grants management system. The NOI forms can be found using the following link: https://homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/grants-overview/grants/#HMA.
 
The State hazard mitigation staff will review NOIs using basic eligibility criteria for HMGP projects outlined in 44 CFR 206.434 (c), project type and level of interest in relation to acceptance of a greater local cost share. Invitations to complete a full HMGP project application will be sent to qualifying sub-applicants for both new NOI’s and previously submitted NOI’s where limited funding was available. Invitation letters will identify a State Mitigation Project Officer who will work directly with the applicant. This Project Officer will contact the applicant to discuss the proposed project, the application requirements, and be available to provide technical assistance during the application development process if needed.
 
Completed grant applications are due to HSEMD by December 23, 2022. This date will allow HSEMD staff adequate time for final review and submission to FEMA. 
 
For additional information or questions, feel free to contact a lead State Mitigation Project Officer:
 
Mat Noble - Deputy State Hazard Mitigation Officer                                    515-321-8528
Mathew.Noble@iowa.gov
 
Steve Oberbroeckling – HMA Program Manager:                                         515-305-1128
Steve.Oberbroeckling2@iowa.gov
 
Terry Brown – Acquisition or “Buyout” Projects:                                         515-218-5444
Te.Brown@iowa.gov
 
Rana Scarlett – Acquisition/Demolition Projects:                                          515-314-6779
Rana.scarlett@iowa.gov
 
Jim Marwedel – Watershed Projects:                                                             515-709-6857
Jim.marwedel@iowa.gov
 
Dillon Lundy – Public Assistance Mitigation Coordination:                         515-314-1972
Dillon.lundy@iowa.gov
 
Jack Stinogel – Mitigation Planning Projects:                                                515-314-4415
Jack.Stinogel@iowa.gov
 
Dan Schmitz – Infrastructure Projects:                                                          515-321-4784
Dan.Schmitz@iowa.gov
 
Carol Tomb – Infrastructure Projects:                                                            515-979-1203
Carol.Tomb@iowa.gov
 
Chris Weis – Safe Rooms, Infrastructure Projects:                                        515-314-7823
Chris.Weis@iowa.gov
 
We ask that the County Emergency Management Coordinators, Councils of Government, and Planning Commissions forward this information to the communities in their service area to achieve the widest distribution possible.

Starting October 31, the Department of Energy will host a series of six cybersecurity training events specifically for electric utility staff. Technical practitioners from electric cooperative, public power, investor-owned, and tribal utilities are encouraged to attend.

Registration for the first three training sessions is NOW OPEN!  You can find information about the training classes and how to register below.

Registration is Now Open for the Following Trainings

• October 31-November 2, 2023, in Columbus, OH - Register Here
• November 28-30, 2023, in Orlando, FL - Register Here
• December 5-7, 2023, in Kansas City, MO - Register Here

Registration Will Open Soon for the Following Trainings

• January 17-19, 2024, in San Diego, CA
• January 23-25, 2024, in Dallas, TX
• April 23-25, 2024, in Buffalo, NY

Each training event will cover the same material. Registration for these training events is free. This series of training events is supported by funding provided to CESER under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Participants are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and meal costs.

Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity (RMUC) Program Advanced Cybersecurity Technology (ACT) 1 Prize Competition
The ACT 1 Prize competition will award up to $200,000 in cash prizes and technical assistance to electric cooperative, public power, and small investor-owned utilities to improve their cybersecurity posture. The deadline for the ACT 1 Prize submissions is November 29, 5:00 pm ET.

Slides from the first webinar on September 27, Workshop 1: Prize Overview and How to Compete, are available here and the webinar recording will be posted to the same location in mid-October.
You can register for the second workshop here: Workshop 2: How Future Prize Phases Will Work – Oct. 11, 2023, 1 p.m. ET.

For more information on how to compete for an ACT 1 Prize, the submission process, and deadlines, click here. If you have any questions about the ACT 1 Prize Program, please email: ACT.Prizes@nrel.gov.

The Cybersecurity Training for the Utility Workforce series and the ACT 1 Prize are organized by CESER’s RMUC Program. If you would like to learn more about other RMUC Program opportunities send an email requesting to be added to the RMUC Program distribution list to CESER.RMUC@hq.doe.gov or visit the RMUC website