FERC, NERC Propose to Publicly Identify Cybersecurity Violators in the Bulk Electric System

On August 27, 2019, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) released a white paper proposing to identify utilities violating cybersecurity standards.

The joint white paper recommends that NERC include a public cover letter disclosing the violator’s name with each notice. The reliability standards violated and the amount of penalties will also be disclosed.

According to NERC, the threat of a cyberattack is at an all-time high and must remain a priority. The changes proposed in the white paper address the weaknesses in the current reporting structure and are intended to encourage transparency and safety. FERC and NERC are seeking public comments on these matters.