The Grid, a Digital Frontier: E-ISAC on Securing the Power Grid

About this episode

The episode discusses cyber threats to the North American power grid and the resilience strategies employed by E-ISAC.

In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host⁠ ⁠⁠Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Matt Duncan, Vice President of Security Operations and Intelligence at the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s E-ISAC, to explore the cyber threats targeting the North American power grid. Matt breaks down why the grid remains resilient despite increasing pressure from nation-states, cybercriminals, and hacktivists, how AI is lowering the barrier of entry for attackers, and why OT systems and interconnected devices present unique risks. He also highlights real success stories, the value of large-scale grid exercises, and how strong collaboration and a focus on foundational security practices help defenders keep power flowing safely and reliably. In this episode you’ll learn: How severe weather events trigger heightened cyber-readiness across utilities What motivates hacktivist groups and how their tactics differ from other threat actors Why outdated equipment and legacy systems remain such attractive targets Some questions we ask: Are you seeing more educated and capable OT-focused adversaries now? How do you work with policymakers to help them understand these…

People in this episode

Host: Sherrod DeGrippo

Guest: Matt Duncan

Topics covered

• cybersecurity
• power grid
• threat intelligence
• collaboration
• OT systems
• AI in security

Keywords

• cyber threats
• power grid
• E-ISAC
• OT systems
• AI
• hacktivists
• security practices

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: North American Electric Reliability Corporation, E-ISAC

More episodes of Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast

• Supply Chain Attacks: Open Source or Open Door? · June 3, 2026 · 39 min
• Eviltokens: A Conversation with Huntress on an AI‑Enabled Device Code Phishing Campaign · May 20, 2026 · 42 min
• Russia’s Forest Blizzard Is Abusing Home + Small Office Routers for Cred Theft · May 6, 2026 · 52 min
• The Cybercrime Shift: From Opportunistic Attacks to Marketplace-Driven Ecosystem · April 22, 2026 · 40 min
• Ransomware: From Isolated Attacks to Global Criminal Ecosystem · April 8, 2026 · 48 min
• Winter SHIELD: Closing the Security Control Gap · March 25, 2026 · 37 min