In today’s interdependent world, operational technology systems have become quintessential for the country’s critical infrastructure-from its power grids to water plants, as well as to transportation networks. But today, these are the same systems that are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, which can cause major disruptions and pose a danger to public safety.Â
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation has designed a standard framework under NERC CIP standards for Infrastructure Protection of the electric grid and other critical assets. Compliance with NERC CIP standards goes far beyond the fulfillment of the technical requirements; the process also revolves around creating a culture of security.Â
With education and clearly defined communication, the organization can ensure that it is well-equipped with an awareness of any cyber threats that may arise so that it can fight and control these cyber-attacks. This blog discusses employee education on NERC CIP compliance, the role of communication in OT security, and best practices for building a strong security culture.
Understanding NERC CIP Standards
The term NERC CIP program refers to a package of cybersecurity requirements made to ensure critical assets within North American electric grid systems are protected from cyber threats. These guidelines were implemented to secure and make highly resilient the high-voltage power system, which is one of the most crucial parts of the electric grid’s infrastructure.Â
The NERC CIPS standards deal with several aspects of security that include protection of cyber assets, access control measures, incident response, and monitoring of vulnerabilities. These standards encompass some of the following categories:
- Cybersecurity controls for essential cyber assetsÂ
- Access control to prevent unauthorized personnel from interacting with OT systemsÂ
- Incident response protocols to ensure time-bound actions in case of a cyber event.
- Continuous monitoring and testing to identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited
Compliance with NERC CIP standards applies only to electric utility companies in North America, but the principles described in the standards find their applicability across several sectors dependent on OT systems.
The Role of Communication in OT Security
Effective communication is essential to any OT security strategy, making sure that employees not only become aware of the risk to the OT environment but also understand how to mitigate this risk. However, this communication is more of a culture-building in OT rather than just talking about technical details.
Unclear communication and poor education of employees about NERC CIP compliance leads to a vulnerability concerning:
- Misunderstanding of responsibility: There is an element of carelessness due to an unclear understanding that one’s role is important to the security of OT systems, failing in not follow proper protocols for security.
- Delayed reaction to incidents: Equipped without proper skills, employees will lack knowledge on what to do and how to detect and respond to cybersecurity incidents, thereby threatening and causing more damage.
- Non-compliance: Inadequate communication about NERC CIP standards may fail to meet compliance deadlines, leaving organizations open to regulatory penalties and security vulnerabilities.
Therefore, effective communication strategies are hence indispensable for ensuring the employees are knowledgeable as well as motivated to adhere to security best practices.
Best Practices for Educating Employees on NERC CIP Certification
Development of a Holistic Training Program
NERC CIP certification training should be ongoing, as it can be designed for all different levels in the company. Education on what the standards are, and why they are important, plus education on compliance practice should be obtained by new hires up to senior management. The breadth of training will include:
- An introduction to NERC CIP standards as they apply.
- Particular security controls and procedures must be implemented.
- Incident response steps, such as detecting and reporting potential suspicious activities;
- Safe best practices in securing OT systems against breaches.
Tailor Training to Different Roles
Employees in different roles will interact with OT systems differently. Training needs to be tailored to different roles as well. For instance:
- Technical staff need to be trained in the implementation of technical controls like firewalls, access controls, and network segmentation.
- Operations staff need to be trained on how to work with and operate OT equipment safely and abide by cybersecurity requirements.
- The executives and managers need to be trained on a wider landscape of security, compliance requirements, and the business implications of cyber threats to develop proper oversight and resource allocation.
Engage Staff in Real World Conditions
Practical training through role-play and scenario-based models enables the employees to learn how NERC CIP cybersecurity applies to real-life situations. Tabletop exercises of simulated cyberattacks, security breaches, or system failures may be used to help employees understand how they may respond and learn to handle security incidents with confidence. Adding tabletop exercise training will enable employees to understand how cybersecurity decisions affect the operation of OT.
Promote Open Communication
It should also ensure clear channels for communication. One should feel safe or comfortable reporting suspicious activity or potential vulnerabilities within OT systems. There should be periodic meetings, security briefings, loops regarding the urgency of cybersecurity, and a dedicated cybersecurity team or liaison to answer questions and concerns from the employee.
Ongoing Education to Reaffirm Security
Cybersecurity education is something that must be ongoing rather than one-time. Continuing newsletters, refresher courses, and quick tips keep NERC CIP standards at the forefront. For example, reminders of the best practices for secure actions, current threats, compliance dates, or changes in protocol can be especially effective features of a monthly security newsletter for NERC CIP compliance.
Promote a Security Culture
Developing a security culture in the organization encourages employees to take proactive steps in maintaining the integrity of OT systems by:
- Leadership engagement: Whenever leadership emphasizes cybersecurity, it sends a clear message across the organization.
- Reward good behavior: Reward those employees who have been great in getting the right training for safety awareness or were reporting potential threats. This boosts their positive behavior and motivates others to also adopt this behavior.
- Security should be baked into day-to-day processes: Security practices should be integrated into employees’ daily tasks and routines. For example, computers should always be locked; passwords must always be followed, and when dealing with sensitive information, proper security access must always be given.
FAQs
1. What are NERC CIP standards and why are they important for OT security?
NERC CIP (North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection) standards are a set of cybersecurity regulations designed to protect critical infrastructure, particularly in the electric grid. These standards aim to ensure the reliability and security of OT (operational technology) systems by addressing cybersecurity risks, access control, incident response, and continuous monitoring. They are essential for safeguarding critical infrastructure from cyber threats that could disrupt services and jeopardize public safety.
2. Why is employee education essential for NERC CIP compliance?
Employee education is crucial because it ensures that everyone within an organization understands their role in securing OT systems. While technical controls are necessary, a well-educated workforce is vital for identifying, preventing, and responding to cyber threats. Training employees on NERC CIP standards and promoting a culture of security helps reduce human error, improve incident response, and ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements.
3. What role does communication play in OT security?
Effective communication is key to OT security because it ensures that all employees are informed about security protocols, the latest threats, and their specific responsibilities. Clear communication helps foster a security-conscious culture where cybersecurity becomes a shared responsibility, improving overall organizational resilience against cyberattacks and reducing vulnerabilities.
4. How can organizations build a strong security culture around NERC CIP standards?
Organizations can build a strong security culture by providing ongoing education and training tailored to different employee roles, integrating real-world cybersecurity scenarios into training, and reinforcing security practices through regular updates and awareness programs. Encouraging open communication, rewarding positive security behaviors, and ensuring leadership engagement are also crucial in embedding cybersecurity as a core value throughout the organization.
Conclusion
Effective communication and education are preconditions for ensuring an employee’s understanding of his role in protecting OT systems against cyber threats, especially while complying with the NERC CIP standards. A comprehensive training program implemented and specialized for different employee roles, open communication, and a security-aware culture in organizations will provide employees with the potential to defend themselves against sophisticated cyberattacks.
NERC CIP certification is more than a regulatory requirement, it is a cornerstone of a successful OT security strategy. Indeed, in itself, the process of educating the workforce successfully, ensuring that they communicate and collaborate on security matters, will go a long way towards reducing the risks of cyber incidents, preserving the integrity of their systems, and protecting the critical services that society relies upon.
