National Grid security: how we keep the grid safe in the US

The security threat landscape

In an increasingly digital world, cyber threats continue to emerge and evolve. Five trends in this evolving security threat landscape include¹:

1. Evolving risks to critical infrastructure

2. Ransomware

3. Supply chain exploitation

4. Commercial spyware

5. Artificial intelligence

As an owner of critical infrastructure, we face these threats and more. We’re committed to protecting our energy system from threats by implementing a combination of organizational policies, strategic measures and advanced physical and digital technologies.
 

How we keep the grid safe

At National Grid, we use several industry-recognized frameworks to implement the appropriate security measures, whether that security relates to cyber, physical or personnel. Additionally, we’re committed to complying with relevant legislation, regulatory requirements and electric reliability standards.
 

Our People: If you see something, say something

People are our greatest asset in protecting the grid. We pride ourselves on having a diverse community of many long-serving employees who support our security by identifying suspicious activity. We make it easy and convenient to report suspicious behavior and we efficiently respond to all reports. We support this culture through our award-winning Security Awareness and Training Team.²

Robust controls

Over a one-month period, our cyber security teams identified 23.9m emails attempting to reach National Grid email addresses. 11.6m of these were recognized as potentially malicious and therefore blocked from entry, with the remaining 12.3m deemed safe and allowed to reach their intended destination.
 

Evolving security

As technology advances and new technologies emerge, so do threats. That’s why we’re committed to maintaining a proactive approach to security that stays one step ahead of external threats. We do this through:

• organizational policy
• employee training and awareness
• collaboration with law enforcement and government agencies
• participation in industry security organizations
• threat intelligence sharing and exchange
• and more.
   

How can you help?

Keeping the grid safe is a complex challenge and we do this with help from our customers. You can help protect our power systems by keeping yourself cyber safe³, staying vigilant towards utility scams and by reporting any suspicious behavior.
 

1. Protect yourself from utility scams

When contacted by a person claiming to represent National Grid, we encourage you to always ask for identification. 

Find out more on how to protect yourself from utility scams 
 

2. Physical security reporting

If you find yourself in or around a National Grid building or physical infrastructure and notice some concerning activity, please report this activity to your local police. In the case of an emergency dial 911.

Report an Incident to the Department of Homeland Security

You can also report people/property incidents directly to National Grid:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 844-290-0722
 

3. Cybersecurity and scam reporting

If you receive an unexpected and suspicious-sounding phone call, email or message purporting to be from National Grid, please report it. If you believe you have fallen victim to a scam, please call your local law enforcement officials immediately.

Report a suspected scam to the FTC

Report suspected cyber crime

If you’re concerned about an unsolicited or unexpected email that appears to come from National Grid please let us know immediately by sending an email to [email protected].

Sources

¹ Fact Sheet: 2024 Report on the Cybersecurity Posture of the United States | ONCD | The White House

² Security Excellence Awards 2024 - 2024 winners (computing.co.uk)

³ 4 Things You Can Do To Keep Yourself Cyber Safe | CISA