Ampyx Cyber Blog
The Intersection of Regulation & Resilience
FERC Finalizes INSM Standard: CIP-015-1 and the New Visibility Mandate for the Grid
On June 26, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued Order No. 907, approving the new NERC Reliability Standard CIP-015-1: Cyber Security – Internal Network Security Monitoring (INSM). This marks a critical shift in how we approach cybersecurity within the Bulk Electric System. It also raises the bar significantly on what’s expected for visibility inside the network perimeter.
FERC Proposes New Standards for INSM: Internal Network Security Monitoring (CIP-015-1)
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued a new Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) under Docket No. RM24-7-000. This proposed rule seeks to approve NERC’s proposed Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Reliability Standard CIP-015-1. The new standard focuses on Internal Network Security Monitoring (INSM) to detect and address cyber threats within the electronic security perimeter of the Bulk Electric System (BES).
CIP-015: The Crucial Role of INSM in Strengthening Grid Security
introduction of CIP-015, a new regulation aimed at enhancing grid security by mandating Internal Network Security Monitoring (INSM) for high and medium impact Bulk Electric System (BES) Cyber Systems. This development, initiated by FERC Order No. 887, responds to the need for robust monitoring within trusted network zones to detect and mitigate potential cyber threats. CIP-015 emerges as a standalone standard after industry feedback suggested that INSM requirements did not align well with existing frameworks, shifting towards an objective-based rather than prescriptive approach.
NERC's New INSM Regulation: Assessing Impact and Ambiguity
The recent draft release of NERC's new CIP Standard for Internal Network Security Monitoring (INSM) sparks a conversation filled with anticipation and skepticism. With directives from FERC Order 887 echoing in its language, the draft attempts to navigate through the challenges of creating a new regulation to address situations where vendors or individuals with authorized access are considered secure and trustworthy but could still introduce a cybersecurity risk.
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