Ampyx Cyber Blog
The Intersection of Regulation & Resilience
Analysis of the June 6th, 2025 Executive Order on Cybersecurity
On June 6, 2025, President Donald J. Trump issued a new Executive Order (EO) titled “Sustaining Select Efforts to Strengthen the Nation’s Cybersecurity and Amending Executive Orders 13694 and 14144.” This directive serves as a recalibration of federal cybersecurity strategy, signaling a shift away from prescriptive mandates toward more targeted, agency-specific authority and risk-informed investment in critical initiatives. It amends prior EOs while preserving core elements of federal cybersecurity policy.
Cyber Stress Testing: Strengthening Cyber Resilience in the EU Energy Sector
As cyber threats grow more complex, the EU energy sector is turning to stress testing to bolster its resilience. This post explores ENISA’s 2025 Cyber Stress Test Handbook and how it helps energy providers simulate real-world attacks, uncover vulnerabilities, and strengthen defenses in alignment with NIS2, CER, and the Cyber Solidarity Act.
The Human Factor: The Greatest Challenge in Organizational Cybersecurity
Despite significant investments in technical controls, frameworks, and compliance efforts such as NIST SP 800-171 Rev 3, NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5, and NERC CIP standards, many organizations still struggle with implementing effective cybersecurity programs. The root of this challenge is not just technology or documentation — it's human behavior.
The Pillars of an Effective Incident Response Plan
A strong Incident Response Plan (IRP) is more than just a document—it’s a foundation built on key elements like asset inventory, network diagrams, logging, communication strategies, backups, and clear roles. In this blog, Dan Ricci, Senior Cybersecurity Consultant at Ampyx Cyber, breaks down the critical components every IRP needs to be resilient and effective in the face of cyber incidents.
Testimony Before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission: Protecting U.S. Energy Infrastructure from Strategic Risks
On April 24, 2025, Patrick Miller testified before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission on the growing cybersecurity and supply chain risks facing U.S. energy infrastructure. My testimony focused on how Chinese state-aligned actors are embedding themselves within critical systems and why securing our grid is essential to preserving America's economic leadership, technological advancement, and national security.
Chinese-made technology in U.S. critical infrastructure: an interview with Patrick Miller
Patrick C. Miller of Ampyx Cyber testifies in front of the Senate U.S. - China Economic and Security Review Commission on Thursday, April 24 about the threat of Chinese-made technologies in U.S. critical infrastructure, including power systems and telecom. Here is a short interview with Patrick Miller about his testimony.
Four Years In: What NERC’s Cyber Security Incident Reporting Data Tells Us (and What It Doesn’t)
In the world of Bulk Electric System (BES) cybersecurity, signals of risk don’t always arrive with alarms blaring or malware lighting up dashboards. Sometimes, the signs are quieter—brute force login failures, odd port scans, or a sudden spike in account lockouts. The annual CIP-008-6 report, filed March 21, 2025 by NERC, shines a small but telling light on just such signals.
Proactively Enhancing Safety in Long Duration Energy Storage: Lessons, Challenges, and Future Strategies
As Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) technologies gain prominence in modern energy infrastructure, ensuring the safety of workers and surrounding communities is critical. By examining past incidents involving lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and other storage solutions, we can extract crucial lessons to mitigate risks in LDES deployment.
Ampyx Cyber Appoints Andrew A. Luccitti as Chief Revenue Officer
Ampyx Cyber appoints Andrew A. Luccitti as Chief Revenue Officer to drive growth and strengthen cybersecurity solutions for critical infrastructure. With over 25 years of experience, Andrew joins CEO Patrick C Miller to enhance compliance, security, and cyber insurance readiness as the company expands its services.
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).
FERC’s New Proposed Rule on Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM)
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has released a new Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) under Docket No. RM24-4-000, focusing on supply chain risk management (SCRM) for the Bulk-Power System (BPS). This proposed directive aims to fill critical gaps in existing NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards and bolster the defenses of our nation’s critical infrastructure.
FERC Staff Report Offers Lessons Learned from 2024 CIP Audits: What You Need to Know
In its 2024 CIP audit report, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) shared critical lessons learned from the latest round of reliability audits, revealing key areas where NERC-registered entities can strengthen their security posture. While many organizations successfully met compliance requirements, the report highlighted specific gaps in asset categorization, control center segmentation, and data protection that could pose significant operational risks.
Proactive Cyber Defense: Recognizing Cyber Intrusions for Critical Infrastructure System Operators
Leveraging Guidance from the Electric & Water Sectors and Broadening for all Critical Infrastructure. In an era marked by rapid digital transformation and increasing cyber threats, whether electric, water and wastewater systems, chemical, or any other of the critical infrastructure sectors, it is imperative for control system operators to be well-versed in recognizing and responding to cyber intrusions.
Exploring the Evolving Landscape of ICS/OT Cybersecurity at RSAC 2024
The RSA Conference 2024 spotlighted the critical importance of ICS/OT cybersecurity, reflecting a significant increase in attention compared to previous years. Ampyx Cyber CEO, Patrick Miller noted the strong presence of AI-driven security tools on the vendor floor and highlighted the conference's rich agenda featuring discussions on the convergence of IT and OT. As digital transformation continues, the industry's commitment to enhancing ICS/OT cybersecurity is more evident than ever.
Reporting Cyber Incidents under DHS CIRCIA’s Proposed Rulemaking
The US Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) on April 4, 2024 published its proposed rules requiring critical infrastructure entities to report significant cyber incidents and ransom payments to CISA. The proposed regulations are intended to consolidate, fortify, and strengthen the United States’ cyber defenses in critical infrastructure (CI) sectors.
Ampere Industrial Security Evolves into Ampyx Cyber
Ampere Industrial Security, renowned for its expertise in industrial security, announces its rebranding to Ampyx Cyber, marking a new chapter in its global presence with offices in Portland, OR, USA, and a new European base in Tallinn, Estonia. This strategic change represents an expanded commitment to providing top-tier cybersecurity solutions across continents.
Embracing AI for the Electric Grid: Insights from NERC
In the rapidly evolving landscape of the electric sector, the integration of cutting-edge technologies is not just an option; it's a necessity. Among these, artificial intelligence (AI) stands out as a transformative force, offering unprecedented opportunities to enhance grid reliability, security, and efficiency. Recognizing this potential, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) has provided insightful comments on how AI can be harnessed to address the challenges and opportunities within the electric grid.
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.
FERC Chairman's Reliability Report: A Year in Review
In 2023, FERC Chairman Willie L. Phillips' report highlighted advancements in U.S. power grid reliability, focusing on enhanced cybersecurity measures, physical grid security improvements, and resilience against extreme weather. Key initiatives included the implementation of new cybersecurity standards, incentive-based cybersecurity investments, and transmission reforms to accommodate evolving energy resources. These efforts underscore FERC's commitment to maintaining a resilient and secure electric grid.
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.