Southeast Regional Cybersecurity Collaboration Center

About SERC3

Auburn University’s McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security was awarded a $10 million Department of Energy grant in partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to create a pilot regional cybersecurity research and operations center to protect the electric power grid against cyber-attacks. 

This Southeast Region Cybersecurity Collaboration Center (SERC3), will bring together experts from the private sector, academia and government to share information and generate innovative real-world solutions to protect the nation’s power grid and other key sectors. 

Program Partners

Program Funding

The funding for the program is $12.5 million.

$10M

Awarded from U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Grant

$2.5M

Provided by Auburn University and other strategic partners

The McCrary Institute combines the knowledge of recognized policy authorities and renowned faculty researchers from Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering to develop solutions to real-world security problems and educate future security experts. The institute is a trusted resource for decision-makers at the highest levels of government and industry, utilizing its ability to convene the right people to work on critical national security issues.

ORNL brings significant facilities and capabilities to grid security efforts, including software tools like Environment for Analysis of Geo-Located Energy Information (EAGLE-I) and Deep Cyberia, facilities including the Cyber Science Research Facility and the Grid Research Integration and Deployment Center (GRID-C), and capabilities including testing and evaluation of cybersecurity for cyber-physical systems. ORNL expertise in other areas like visualization, high-performance computing, and analytics could also influence new approaches to grid cybersecurity.

Program Overview

The Southeast Region Cybersecurity Collaboration Center (SERC3) is an industry-informed, industry-led initiative designed to address the growing challenges in Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity. By leveraging insights and guidance from the private sector, academia, and government, SERC3 is positioned to deliver real-world, cutting-edge solutions to protect the nation’s power grid and other critical infrastructure sectors from cyber threats. SERC3 is developing a comprehensive ecosystem that focuses on both technological innovations and workforce enhancements.

SERC3 will feature mock utility operations centers and research labs, providing participants with hands-on, real-time experiences in cyber defense. These facilities will allow for the testing of emerging technologies and the training of professionals in advanced cybersecurity tactics. By fostering collaboration among key stakeholders, SERC3 aims to create a dynamic environment for knowledge sharing and innovation, contributing significantly to national cybersecurity resilience.

SERC3 Objectives

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  Establish a regional partnership that combines operational capabilities with significant industry input and guidance-informed R&D

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  Improve operational technology security on a regional scale through close partnership between industry, national laboratories, and universities.

• 

  Enable an effective technology transfer ecosystem and accelerate the development of grid cybersecurity technologies.

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  Further workforce development for critical cybersecurity and operational technology-related skillsets.

Our Team

Co-Principal Investigator: James Goosby, McCrary Institute

Co-Principal Investigator: Tricia Schulz, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Assistant Project Manager: Michael Thomas, McCrary Institute

News and Updates

Auburn’s McCrary Institute and Oak Ridge National Laboratory to partner on first regional cybersecurity center to protect the nation’s electricity grid
Published: April 18, 2024

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