In the latest update of the Rural Electric Cyber Advancement Program (RECAP) for May 2024, it was reported that participation in the program continues to expand. According to the update, there are currently 21 cooperatives that have either completed the assessment or are scheduled to do so in 2024, with a call for all Ohio cooperatives to join in. The focus remains on maximizing the value of the program for members through “Cooperation Among Cooperatives.”
The assessments conducted in 2023 have unveiled common actionable items for many cooperatives, leading to the development of templates and “best practices” by the IT Managers Association. Additionally, second-round assessments are proving beneficial in providing further clarity by revisiting the same questions. Furthermore, a new initiative involves providing an open-source intelligence report (OSINT) during the second visit to help cooperatives better understand their vulnerabilities.
In a bid to recognize and appreciate cooperative efforts in addressing identified vulnerabilities, there is consideration for introducing a “recognition” program. The monitoring of regulatory activities is also underway to stay abreast of potential mandates for reporting cyber breaches. Moreover, cooperatives have been forming alliances with one another to enhance their cybersecurity maturity collectively.
As the second-round assessments commence, Ohio’s cooperatives are noted to be making strides in increasing their cybersecurity maturity by addressing vulnerabilities identified during the RECAP assessment. The update encourages all cooperatives to partake in this continuous effort towards advancing cybersecurity. For further information, individuals can reach out to Steve Savon at (614) 580-6011.
