Download Free: Solutions to Achieve, Demonstrate, and Maintain NERC CIP Standards Compliance
The Wall Street Journal has reported that cyber-spies had penetrated the U.S. electrical grid and left behind software programs that could be sued to disrupt the system. National Security Officials reported that the spies came from China, Russia and other countries, possibly on a mission to navigate the U.S. electrical system and its controls. The intruders had not sought to damage the power grid or other key infrastructures, but officials warned they could try during a crisis of war. Officials stated water, sewage and other infrastructure systems were also at risk. Furthermore, reliability standards have created a frenzy over the last few years for corporations in various industries, including pipelines, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and oil and gas, but none of these has been more predominant than the power industry. Once finalized, the mandatory critical infrastructure protection (CIP) standards issued by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) will be fully enforceable in the US on behalf of the Federal Energy Regulatory Council (FERC) and by provincial authorities in Canada. These standards are bringing with them a myriad of new and exorbitant costs for power companies.