Supply Chain Cyber Security Industry Coordination
The Industry Organizations Collaboration Effort
The NATF and other industry organizations are working together to provide a streamlined, effective, and efficient industry-accepted approach for entities to assess supplier cyber security practices. The model, if applied widely, will reduce the burden on suppliers so their efforts with purchasers can be prioritized and entities can be provided with more information effectively and efficiently. The industry organizations collaboration effort is focused on improving cyber security, and assisting registered entities with compliance to regulatory requirements.
Each of the industry organizations and many individual entities are working on solutions for various stages of the supply chain cyber security risk assessment lifecycle. These solutions are brought together in this effort to provide a cohesive approach. This approach may change over time as it matures but staying cohesive will be key to maintaining streamlined effective and efficient cyber security.
This website provides information on the approach (also referred to as the “model”), projects/activities that have been accomplished, and projects/activities in progress, upcoming presentations, links and contact information, and recent news.
The Model (Version History)
Supply Chain Security Assessment Model
NATF Supply Chain Security Criteria
- Proposed Changes to Criteria (Redline)
Energy Sector Supply Chain Risk Questionnaire (Unformatted, Formatted)
- Proposed Changes to Questionnaire (Redline)
Resources (View All)
NATF CIP-013 Implementation Guidance-Independent Assessments of Vendors (ERO Endorsed)
NATF CIP-013 Implementation Guidance-Supply Chain Risk Management Plans (ERO Endorsed)
NATF Industry Collaboration: Using Solution Providers for Third-Party Risk Management
Click "View All" above to access additional documents, presentations, supply-chain sites, and support products and services.
Upcoming Meetings and Activities
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Announcements (View All)
March 14, 2022
NATF Criteria, Questionnaire, and Revision Process Revisions Posted for Industry-Wide Comment through April 13
The NATF Criteria and Questionnaire Revision Team has reviewed suggestions for modifications to the “NATF Supply Chain Security Criteria,” “Energy Sector Supply Chain Risk Questionnaire,” and associated revision process. The proposed changes have been posted for industry-wide comment through April 13 on the NATF Supply Chain Cyber Security Industry Coordination page. Input can be submitted to supplychain@natf.net.
Please review the criteria, questionnaire, and revision process for changes indicated by red text.
A summary of changes is available in the “Version History” notes section of each document. The redlines for the questionnaire are provided in the formatted version only; conforming final changes will be made to the unformatted version.
The revision team will review comments in April and May and provide a summary of its determinations. The updated documents will be posted following NATF board approval in June.
March 07, 2022
ERO Enterprise Endorses NATF Implementation Guidance for CIP-013
On February 28, the ERO Enterprise endorsed two NATF Implementation Guidance documents, further signaling the ERO Enterprise’s support of the NATF supply chain security model, criteria, and questionnaire. The endorsement provides entities confidence that using the security approach provided in the NATF model is one way to meet regulatory requirements. It is anticipated that the ERO’s endorsement will encourage further adoption of these tools, thereby supporting industry convergence.
About the Documents
"NATF CIP-013 Implementation Guidance: Using Independent Assessments of Vendors”
This guidance describes one way a Responsible Entity may meet the obligations in Requirements R1 and R2 when relying upon a qualified independent assessment of suppliers' security practices. It is an update to the existing ERO-endorsed NATF CIP-013 implementation guidance to include CIP-013-2 and to incorporate the NATF supply chain security model, criteria, questionnaire, and revision process.
“NATF CIP-013 Implementation Guidance: Supply Chain Risk Management Plans”
This guidance addresses how the use of the NATF supply chain security model, criteria, and questionnaire, if implemented appropriately, offers one method to meet compliance with CIP-013-1 and CIP-013-2 Requirements R1 and R2 to develop and implement supply chain cyber security risk management plans for high and medium impact Bulk Electric System (BES) Cyber Systems and their associated Electronic Access Control or Monitoring Systems (EACMS) and Physical Access Control Systems (PACS).
The documents are posted on the NATF Supply Chain Cyber Security Industry Coordination website.
About the Model
Supported by the Industry Organizations Team, the NATF model and the industry-developed complementary products (e.g., the criteria and questionnaire) provide a streamlined, effective, and efficient industry-accepted approach for entities to evaluate supply chain security practices.
The five-step model provides a solid foundation for identifying, assessing, and mitigating supply chain risks; provides for inclusion of suppliers and solution providers depending upon each entity’s needs; and provides for flexibility of each entity’s implementation. See more about the model and supporting documents on the NATF Supply Chain Cyber Security Industry Coordination website.
About ERO Endorsement
Endorsement of an example means the ERO Enterprise compliance monitoring and enforcement staff will give the method described in the example deference when conducting compliance monitoring activities. The NATF documents are posted on NERC’s “Compliance Guidance" site using the ERO’s naming convention:
- “CIP-013 Using Independent Assessments of Vendors (NATF)”
- “CIP-013 Supply Chain Risk Management Plans (NATF)”