NERC identifies recommendations, lessons learned from GridEx IV grid security exercise
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) recently released its report on the results of its GridEx IV grid security exercise, which it hosted in November.
The report includes lessons learned and recommendations to enhance grid security and information sharing based on feedback from the approximately 450 participating organizations and 6,500 participating individuals.
NERC’s Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EISAC) facilitated GridEx IV, which included an exercise scenario with an executive tabletop for senior industry executives and government officials and provided an opportunity for stakeholders to respond to simulated cyber and physical attacks that would affect the reliable operation of the grid.
The two-day event included participants from industry, government law enforcement, and the private sector and was the largest NERC grid security exercise to date.
“The level of participation in GridEx IV shows the commitment that NERC and industry have toward improving security and information sharing,” Bill Lawrence, director of the EISAC, said. “GridEx continues to be a vital part of our cyber and physical security training and education efforts.”
Recommendations in the report included increasing coordination between utilities and federal, state and local governments, enhancing information sharing capabilities for the Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council and Energy Government Coordinating Council, developing ESCC processes for emergency orders and continuing to promote the Cyber Mutual Assistance Program.
