The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) maintains comprehensive reliability standards that define requirements for planning and operating the bulk electric system (BES). Among these are the Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Cyber Security Standards, which specify a minimum set of controls and processes for power generation and transmission companies to follow to ensure...

Many IT teams are facing challenging skills gaps or struggling with optimizing their cybersecurity software. It might be that your team is too small for their responsibilities, or that you’re finding it difficult to attract, train, and retain talent. Turnover is a common problem, with organizations and agencies often losing skilled individuals to new opportunities. Fortunately, strategically...

Federal security managers expect that most federally run systems are actively engaging with FISMA compliance for protecting federal data and systems. However, as we all know, federal information does not remain only in federally operated systems. Data and IT systems connect via the Internet and other networks for business, operations and research. Information about citizens, banking and finance,...

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) was created to help organizations that process credit card payments, secure the cardholder environment to prevent credit card fraud, cyber threats and other security vulnerabilities. The latest version, 4.0, provides specific security guidance on handling, processing, transmitting and storing credit card data to minimize the theft,...

The cybersecurity skills gap can leave many organizations without adequate staffing for the operation of their security tools. High turnover rates can also cause an organization to lose essential knowledge when team members leave who were familiar with the tools. To complicate matters further, the pandemic is driving the need for temporary cybersecurity support as agencies navigate new, remote...

The cybersecurity skills gap leaves Federal agencies without adequate staffing for the operation of their security tools. High turnover rates can also cause agencies to lose essential knowledge when team members leave who were familiar with the tools. To complicate matters further, the pandemic is driving the need for temporary cybersecurity support as agencies navigate new, remote work...

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) was created to help organizations that process credit card payments secure the cardholder environment to prevent credit card fraud, cyber threats, and other security vulnerabilities. The latest version, 4.0, provides specific security guidance on handling, processing, transmitting, and storing credit card data to minimize the theft,...

More attention is being paid to risks around the supply chain in the bulk electricity system (BES). When third-party vendors introduce new products, software and personnel into a power supplier’s environment, the potential for new cyber risks increases. For this reason, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) recently added a new set of requirements to its Critical...

Some of our nation’s most critical physical infrastructure is represented by the national Bulk Electric Systems (BES). Today’s digital world relies upon this interconnected network of power generation and transmission systems more than ever. To ensure the reliability and resilience of that network, providers must continually manage threats to the infrastructure, including many that relate to...

Industrial operators subject to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection (NERC CIP) standard know that achieving compliance is no minor feat, and serious strategic consideration is required to ensure efficient resource use in the compliance process. By meeting NERC CIP compliance, these companies take important steps towards securing their IT/OT...

The NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection standards are designed to enhance reliability of the electrical supply by securing the connected assets on which that supply relies. When building a program for NERC CIP compliance, registered entities must balance the need to be audit ready with the resources required to achieve and maintain compliance. NERC CIP version 6 increases the amount of work...

The NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection standards are designed to enhance the reliability of the electrical supply by securing the connected assets on which that supply relies. When building a program for NERC CIP compliance, registered entities must balance the need to be audit-ready with the resources required to achieve and maintain compliance. NERC CIP compliance, especially when...

SigmaFlow is the industry leading solution for orchestrating NERC CIP compliance to achieve an ongoing state of Audit Readiness. Tripwire, Inc. is a leading global provider of advanced threat, security and compliance management solutions. Integrating these solutions offers an automated way to drastically reduce the time and resources required to manage NERC compliance and collect comprehensive...

There isn’t an industry that hasn’t been affected by cyber threats, and the broadcast industry is no exception. In April 2015, France’s TV5Monde was attacked, resulting in eleven of its channels going dark and its social media outlets commandeered to display pro-Islamic State messages. This was preceded by an attack on WBOC in Salisbury, Maryland, where their Twitter account and website were...

The value of electronic health record (EHR) systems is immense. These digital records are designed to be available anytime and anywhere, connecting healthcare providers with patient data. EHRs are a central repository of patient medical histories, medications, diagnoses, immunization dates, allergies, lab results and radiology images. With access to this accurate patient information, providers can...

North American electric utility companies constantly balance the need to be audit-ready for NERC CIP compliance against their top priority: ensuring the reliability of the bulk electric system. NERC CIP compliance, especially when approached using manual methods, is complex, time-consuming, and prone to human error. Further, NERC CIP requirements often infer security skill sets beyond those of...