Sheri Haugen-Hoffart

BISMARCK – North Dakota is taking proactive steps to protect its energy infrastructure from cyber attacks, and citizens can be part of that process, according to North Dakota Public Service Commissioner Sheri Haugen-Hoffart.

Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue. It’s a regulatory imperative, a public safety concern and a civic duty,” she said in a release acknowledging October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month. “North Dakota is a deeply rural state, with thousands of miles of transmission lines, distribution networks and substations stretching across vast landscapes. These assets are critical and often remote. If you see anything suspicious near electrical infrastructure, report it immediately. Vigilance from residents and utility workers alike is a vital layer of defense.”

Haugen-Hoffart participated in 2024 in the development of cybersecurity baselines for electric distribution systems and distributed energy resources as part of a collaborative effort to strengthen the resilience of the energy infrastructure. These systems are increasingly interconnected and digitized, making them vulnerable to cyber threats that could disrupt essential services, she said.

“These baselines offer practical strategies and guidance for state commissions, utilities and stakeholders seeking to implement robust cybersecurity measures. They represent a proactive step toward securing the grid and ensuring that innovation in energy doesn’t come at the cost of vulnerability,” she said.