FERC recently proposed to approve the Version 5 Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Reliability Standards, CIP-002-5 through CIP-011-1, submitted by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). FERC believes the proposed CIP Version 5 Standards, which pertain to the cybersecurity of the bulk electric system, represent an improvement over the current Commission-approved CIP Reliability Standards because
Hurry: NIST RFI Comments on Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity Due April 8, 2013!
For purposes of the Request for Information (“RFI”) the National Institute of Standards and Technology (“NIST”) defines “critical infrastructure” as:
systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the United States that the incapacity or destruction of such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, national public
Cybersecurity 2.0 for State Regulators… and Utilities
The smart grid creates the need for greater cybersecurity and is also part of the solution. The smart grid represents the modernization of electricity infrastructure often through added technology, allowing the grid to gather and store data and to create a “dialogue” between all components of the grid, and also allowing for automatic command and
NARUC Issues Primer on Cybersecurity for State Regulators
Cybersecurity threats challenge the reliability, resiliency and safety of the electric grid. As the smart grid develops and today’s electrical grid interconnects with distributed generation and less tangible information technology components such as networks, software and the internet, the need to address cybersecurity at utilities takes center stage. Enter NARUC. With funding from DOE
Department of Energy Launches Electric Grid Cybersecurity Initiative
Last week, officials from the Energy Department, the White House and the Department of Homeland Security met with senior leaders from across the electric sector to launch an initiative to better protect the nation’s electric grid. Over a dozen electric utilities and grid operators are expected to participate in the pilot program to test the
Congress Considering Infrastructure Cyber Security Enhancements
When Smart Grid Legal News interviewed PJM’s CEO Terry Boston earlier this month, he identified cyber security as the problem that kept him up at night. Clearly, Terry is not the only person who worries about cyber security, and that includes members of Congress. On December 15, 2011, U.S. Rep. Peter T. King (R-NY), Chairman
NIST seeks comments on the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education Strategic Plan
Given the importance of cybersecurity to the smart grid and our national security in general, I wanted you to know about the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (“NICE”) Strategic Plan that was released for comment on August 11, 2011, by NIST. The plan, “Building a Digital Nation,” outlines NICE’s mission, vision, goals and objectives. Comments
Innovation → IP Protection → Investment → A Safer, Smarter Grid
Today I would like to introduce you to my colleague Ted Wood. Ted is a patent attorney with the law firm of Sterne Kessler Goldstein & Fox and is at the forefront of the smart grid cyber security and innovation discussion. He has some great ideas to help smart grid technology developers and is
The GAO Report Nudges NIST and FERC on Cybersecurity
Addressing cybersecurity guidelines and standards being considered by NIST and FERC, the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the nonpartisan investigative arm of Congress, pointed out key challenges to securing smart grid systems in a recently released report. Chief among them were that NIST’s cybersecurity guidelines did not address the risk of attacks that use both
Texas PUC and ERCOT host briefing on Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security
On February 23, 2011, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at ERCOT Austin, 7620 Metro Center Drive, Austin, TX, the NIST Smart Grid Cyber Security Working Group (“CSWG) Outreach Team will be available to answer questions regarding the lengthy NIST Interagency Report, Guidelines for Smart Grid Cyber Security 7628. This report will guide the industry