CER Task Force and Cybersecurity

With the long anticipated release of the CER Task Force consultations in August, there has been an interesting subtle but meaningful addition on cybersecurity.

Cyber has been part of the CER Task Force work which was introduced through the Energy Security Board back in 2021, however it has to date been focused on two areas; firstly, the requirement for a National PKI framework to ensure a consistent and competent means for managing the identity of CER/DER devices connecting to our grids. The second part related to moving forward with new device cyber standards, reflecting many requirements found within the European standard ETSI 303 645 into a new Standards Australia process.

But with the new addition of a technical workstream - T5 - the scope is now much wider. It is positioned to look at the needs for CER/DER cybersecurity more broadly across the grid, to ascertain any risks that may impede power system operation. This new T5 workstream will be led by the Federal Government (DCCEEW), with its first milestone in early 2026 which will identify cybersecurity gaps and issues in the current CER ecosystem.

It is definitely one to keep an eye out for in 2026.