Part 1 – Reconnaissance
Introduction
Ensuring compliance with NERC CIP (Critical Infrastructure Protection) regulations is crucial for an electric power utility to avoid fines and penalties.
NERC CIP standards are designed to protect the reliability and security of the North American bulk power system.
Below we discuss NERC CIP best practices practices to help you maintain compliance and minimize the risk of fines or penalties:
Reconnaissance
Staying informed is part of Reconnaissance. As part of this you need to :
- Keep up-to-date with the latest NERC CIP requirements, guidelines, and changes.
- Regularly review NERC publications and announcements to stay informed about any updates or new compliance expectations.
- Stay connected to the industry via conferences, educational events e.g. WECC, SERC, TexasRE have a number of events as do the other RE organizations
Monitor Third-Party Compliance
If your utility relies on third-party vendors or contractors, ensure that they also comply with NERC CIP regulations. If a third-party that supports you in your efforts, such as an O&M (Operations and Maintenance ) provider fails to keep its NERC CIP compliance intact, then it may affect your compliance and result in a breach. Therefore it is a good best practice for your organization or CIP team to ensure third-party compliance.
Regular reviews are important
Regularly review their compliance status and verify that they meet the necessary standards.
Participate in Industry Sharing and Collaboration
Engage externally
Engage with other electric power utilities and organizations in the industry to share best practices and experiences related to NERC CIP compliance.
Collaborate and learn
Collaboration can provide valuable insights and help you improve your compliance efforts.
NERC CIP Best Practices
The four main categories of best practices for NERC CIP compliance include:
Governance
Reconnaissance
