On February 27, 2014, FERC announced it will hold a technical conference to explore Critical Infrastructure Protection (“CIP”) Issues identified in Order No. 791.  The conference will be held at FERC on April 29, 2014 beginning at 10:00 a.m. The technical conference will be led by Commission staff and will include prepared remarks to be presented by invited panelists.

Order No. 791 directed Commission staff to convene the technical conference to explore certain technical issues identified by FERC in the CIP version 5 Standards Final Rule.  This technical conference is intended to create a structured dialogue on these operational and technical issues. FERC anticipates touching on the following topics:

  • Whether additional definitions and/or security controls are needed to protect Bulk-Power System communications networks, including remote systems access;
  • The adequacy of the approved CIP version 5 Standards’ protections for Bulk-Power System data being transmitted over data networks; and
  • Functional differences between the respective methods utilized for identification, categorization, and specification of appropriate levels of protection for cyber assets using CIP version 5 Standards as compared with those employed within the National Institute of Standards and Technology Security Risk Management Framework.

A copy of the agenda is available here.