NERC Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center launches new industry engagement program

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center (E-ISAC) recently launched a new program to increase engagement within the industry and enhance the exchange of information on potential threats to the bulk power system.

The new initiative, called the Industry Augmentation Program, aims to increase awareness of E-ISAC cyber and physical security analysis processes, increase the amount of feedback E-ISAC receives on tools and communications protocols, and strengthen utility programs and staff expertise.

“Face-to-face collaboration by the E-ISAC and the industry on how they view and manage risks to grid security is a great opportunity for all participants,” Bill Lawrence, director of the E-ISAC, said. “The Industry Augmentation Program is designed to enhance member relationships that are vital to ensuring the trust needed to foster a successful approach to grid security across North America.”

NERC a pilot phase of the program under an ongoing partnership with the Large Public Power Council and its member utilities. The program’s first participants were cybersecurity experts from the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and Salt River Project (SRP) in January. During a weeklong exchange, the E-ISAC, NYPA, and SRP shared how each organization collects, analyzes and shares information for possible threat vectors.

The E-ISAC plans to complete the pilot phase of the program by early May and then open the program to all members.