The electrical grid is important for maintaining peace and order within the United States. A federal report predicted that should the electrical grid fail nationwide for a year, 90 percent of the population could perish. Losing electrical power has the ability to cripple everything from food supplies to health care to police forces. 

Despite the dangers of losing power, security in the electrical grid is lacking. Another federal report found that attacks on only nine of 55,000 electrical substations across the country could result in a blackout ranging from coast-to-coast. Additionally, electricity control systems are becoming increasingly digitized and putting them on the internet makes them more vulnerable to remote cyber attack. 

Brazil and Ukraine have already seen cyber attacks on their own electrical grids. It is not a question of if, but rather when the United States will experience an attack. The Department of Homeland Security recently found that Russia has already penetrated the technological infrastructure controlling different parts of the electrical grid. As a U.S. citizen, I fear for my own safety and moving forward, both legislators and energy companies need to push for better security in the electrical grid.

Owen Seltzer

Waterford