Fergie's Tech Blog

New Cyber-Security Standards for N. American Power System

Joan Goodchild writes CSO.com:

Revised cyber-security standards for the North American bulk power system were approved by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation's (NERC) independent board of trustees Wednesday.

The revised standards were passed by the electric industry last week with an 88 percent approval, according to NERC officials, which noted the majority approval indicated strong support in the industry for the more stringent standards.

"The approval of these revisions is evidence that NERC's industry-driven standards development process is producing results, with the aim of developing a strong foundation for the cyber security of the electric grid," said Michael Assante, Vice President and Chief Security Officer at NERC, in a statement.

The standards, according to the statement, are comprised of approximately 40 'good housekeeping' requirements designed to lay a solid foundation of sound security practices. The revisions approved address concerns raised by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission when it conditionally approved the standards currently in effect. The revisions notably include the removal of the term "reasonable business judgment," said NERC officials.

posted by Fergie @ 5/06/2009 06:24:00 PM