NERC CIP
North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection
Mandatory cybersecurity standards for the bulk electric system in North America.
What is NERC CIP?
NERC CIP (Critical Infrastructure Protection) standards are mandatory cybersecurity requirements for the bulk electric system (BES) in North America. Developed by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), these standards are enforced by FERC in the US and similar bodies in Canada.
The CIP standards (CIP-002 through CIP-014) cover identification of critical cyber assets, security management controls, personnel and training, electronic security perimeters, physical security, system security management, incident reporting, recovery planning, configuration management, and supply chain risk management.
Who Needs NERC CIP?
- Electric utilities
- Power generation facilities
- Transmission operators
- Balancing authorities
- Reliability coordinators
Key Requirements
Core compliance areas for NERC CIP
BES Cyber System Categorization
Identify and categorize BES Cyber Systems as high, medium, or low impact.
Security Management Controls
Implement cybersecurity policies, assign responsibilities, and manage exceptions.
Electronic Security Perimeters
Establish and monitor electronic boundaries around BES Cyber Systems.
Supply Chain Risk Management
Implement supply chain risk management for BES Cyber Systems.
Incident Response
Develop and test incident response plans for cybersecurity events.
Benefits of NERC CIP Compliance
- Regulatory compliance for bulk electric system
- Reduced risk of grid disruption
- Protection of critical infrastructure
- Avoid substantial violation penalties
- Enhanced system reliability
- Demonstrated security commitment
Official Resources
Related Frameworks
IEC 62443
International standard series for security of industrial automation and control systems (IACS).
NIST CSF
Voluntary framework providing standards and best practices for managing cybersecurity risk.
TSA Pipeline Security
Mandatory cybersecurity requirements for critical pipeline operators in the United States.