More than 60% of Americans believe the nation’s power transmission grid is vulnerable to either cyber or physical attacks from foreign enemies.

That’s according to a new poll, which also reveals less than 9% of people believe the US Government is doing everything to protect the grid from a potential attack.

It adds nearly 64% of the 1,207 people polled by non-profit organisation Protect Our Power (POP) said they would feel unsafe in the event of an extended power outage.

Around 65% said they are unprepared for an extended power outage while more than 68% anticipate “significant financial or quality-of-life damage” during the event.

Suedeen Kelly, POP’s Regulatory Counsel said: “The nation’s electric grid is incredibly complex. To improve the grid’s resilience, we must help industry leaders, regulators and legislators work together to determine and implement the most practicable solutions with suitable funding mechanisms to pay for them.”

The first reported instance of a cyber attack on a utilities provider is expected to happen this year.