NERC board takes actions to strengthen energy grid cyber security
The North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC) recently announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between NERC’s Electricity Information Sharing and Analysis Center (E-ISAC) and the U.S. Department of Energy, which outlines a shared commitment to information sharing and analysis aimed at protecting the nation’s energy grid.
During a NERC Board of Trustees meeting on Feb. 5, NERC President and CEO Jim Robb said the MOU further solidifies the ongoing relationship between the two entities.
“This is a great milestone in our already successful partnership,” Robb said. “This MOU will help us better serve industry with more in-depth and timely information to protect against security threats and vulnerabilities and respond to incidents. I’m pleased with the continued progress we are making and our mutual commitment to protecting the grid.”
Robb also noted the accomplishments of the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) Enterprise over the last year. “We are transforming the ERO Enterprise, and 2019 was a pivotal year for us,” Robb said. “NERC and the Regional Entities have different — yet equally important and complementary — roles in delivering ERO Enterprise programs, which allows us to work as one synchronous machine — effectively, efficiently, and collaboratively.”
The NERC board also agreed to initiate a project modifying the Cyber Security Standards to include controls for vendor access and detection of malicious communication for low-impact BES Cyber Systems. In addition, the board approved the appointment of sector and at-large representatives for the Reliability and Security Technical Committee, a newly formed committee drawing from diverse industry stakeholder expertise to study, mitigate and/or eliminate emerging risks to the bulk power system.
Additionally, Jim Piro, a former president and CEO of Portland General Electric, was elected to serve on the NERC Board of Trustees.
Pedro Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, attended the board meeting in Manhatten Beach, Calif., and discussed how protecting the bulk power system is a shared priority, stressing the importance of collaboration. Also in attendance was Neil Chatterjee, chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Chatterjee stated that reliability and security are at the core of FERC’s mission, and he highlighted the collaboration that has occurred between FERC and NERC.
