Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
America's Cyber Defense Agency

Search

 
 
  • Topics
    Cybersecurity Best Practices
    Cyber Threats and Advisories
    Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience
    Election Security
    Emergency Communications
    Industrial Control Systems
    Information and Communications Technology Supply Chain Security
    Partnerships and Collaboration
    Physical Security
    Risk Management
    How can we help?
    GovernmentEducational InstitutionsIndustryState, Local, Tribal, and TerritorialIndividuals and FamiliesSmall and Medium Businesses
  • Spotlight
  • Resources & Tools
    All Resources & Tools
    Services
    Programs
    Resources
    Training
    Groups
  • News & Events
    News
    Events
    Cybersecurity Alerts & Advisories
    Directives
    Request a CISA Speaker
    Congressional Testimony
  • Careers
    Benefits & Perks
    HireVue Applicant Reasonable Accommodations Process
    Hiring
    Resume & Application Tips
    Students & Recent Graduates
    Veteran and Military Spouses
    Work @ CISA
  • About
    Culture
    Divisions & Offices
    Regions
    Leadership
    Doing Business with CISA
    Contact Us
    Site Links
    CISA Administrative Subpoena
    Reporting Employee and Contractor Misconduct
    CISA GitHub
    Signature Verification
    Subpoena Process
Report a Cyber Issue
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Topics
  3. Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience
  4. Critical Infrastructure Sectors
Share:
Electric powerplant at sunrise in NYC

Energy Sector

The energy sector protects a multifaceted web of electricity, oil, and natural gas resources and assets to maintain steady energy supplies and ensure the overall health and wellness of the nation.

Critical Infrastructure Sectors

  • Chemical Sector
  • Commercial Facilities Sector
  • Communications Sector
  • Critical Manufacturing Sector
  • Dams Sector
  • Defense Industrial Base Sector
  • Emergency Services Sector
  • Energy Sector
  • Financial Services Sector
  • Food and Agriculture Sector
  • Government Facilities Sector
  • Healthcare and Public Health Sector
  • Information Technology Sector
  • Nuclear Reactors, Materials, and Waste Sector
  • Transportation Systems Sector
  • Water and Wastewater Sector

Sector Details 

The U.S. energy infrastructure fuels the economy of the 21st century. Without a stable energy supply, health and welfare are threatened and the U.S. economy cannot function. Presidential Policy Directive 21 identifies the Energy Sector as uniquely critical because it provides an “enabling function” across all critical infrastructure sectors. More than 80 percent of the country's energy infrastructure is owned by the private sector, supplying fuels to the transportation industry, electricity to households and businesses, and other sources of energy that are integral to growth and production across the nation. 

Overview 

The energy infrastructure is divided into three interrelated segments: electricity, oil, and natural gas. The U.S. electricity segment contains more than 6,413 power plants (this includes 3,273 traditional electric utilities and 1,738 nonutility power producers) with approximately 1,075 gigawatts of installed generation. Approximately 48 percent of electricity is produced by combusting coal (primarily transported by rail), 20 percent in nuclear power plants, and 22 percent by combusting natural gas. The remaining generation is provided by hydroelectric plants (6 percent), oil (1 percent), and renewable sources (solar, wind, and geothermal) (3 percent). The heavy reliance on pipelines to distribute products across the nation highlights the interdependencies between the Energy and Transportation Systems Sector. 

The reliance of virtually all industries on electric power and fuels means that all sectors have some dependence on the Energy Sector. The Energy Sector is well aware of its vulnerabilities and is leading a significant voluntary effort to increase its planning and preparedness. Cooperation through industry groups has resulted in substantial information sharing of best practices across the sector. Many sector owners and operators have extensive experience abroad with infrastructure protection and have more recently focused their attention on cybersecurity. 

Sector-Specific Plan 

The Energy Sector-Specific Plan details how the National Infrastructure Protection Plan risk management framework is implemented within the context of the unique characteristics and risk landscape of the sector. Each Sector Risk Management Agency develops a sector-specific plan through a coordinated effort involving its public and private sector partners. The Department of Energy is designated as the Sector Risk Management Agency for the Energy Sector. 

Energy Sector-Specific Plan - 2015 (PDF, 1.06 MB )

Sector Resources and Working Groups

Energy Sector Working Groups

View the agendas for the Energy Sector working group meetings conducted under CIPAC from 2020 to present.

Department of Energy

Additional resources are available on the Department of Energy website

Return to top
  • Topics
  • Spotlight
  • Resources & Tools
  • News & Events
  • Careers
  • About
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • RSS
CISA Central 888-282-0870 Central@cisa.dhs.gov
DHS Seal
CISA.gov
An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  • About CISA
  • Accessibility
  • Budget and Performance
  • DHS.gov
  • FOIA Requests
  • No FEAR Act
  • Office of Inspector General
  • Privacy Policy
  • The White House
  • USA.gov
  • Website Feedback