Announcements
February 03, 2022
NATF Submits CIP-013 Supply Chain Implementation Guidance to the ERO
The NATF has submitted two implementation guidance documents to NERC for ERO endorsement. These documents are focused on security approaches that, if applied appropriately, will meet compliance requirements, but do not create or impose any additional requirements on entities.
The ERO Enterprise’s endorsement of an example means the ERO Enterprise CMEP staff will give such an example deference when conducting compliance monitoring activities. For more information on ERO Implementation Guidance, see: https://www.nerc.com/pa/comp/guidance/Pages/default.aspx.
“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 criteria, ESSCR 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 Assessment Model,” the NATF criteria, and ESSCR 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 will be posted on the NERC webpage while they are under consideration for endorsement and are also available on the Supply Chain Industry Coordination page of the NATF public website.
January 20, 2022
Annual Supply Chain Criteria and Questionnaire Revision Process Underway
The NATF is commencing the annual revision process for the “NATF Supply Chain Security Criteria” and the “Energy Sector Supply Chain Risk Questionnaire.” The revision process, the criteria, and the questionnaire are posted on the NATF’s public Supply Chain Cyber Security Industry Coordination site. The process is open to industry, suppliers, regulators, and other stakeholders.
Input on the criteria and questionnaire can be submitted to supplychain@natf.net until close of business February 18 for consideration in the 2022 review cycle.
As the criteria and questionnaire are mechanisms to drive convergence on the information needed to conduct supplier risk assessments and are expected to be the basis for information included in a potential central library, it is important that the information you need to conduct risk analyses is included!
As a reminder: The criteria and questionnaire capture supplier information important to the electric sector for conducting risk assessments while keeping the amount of data received to a manageable level. The criteria are also verifiable. They are mapped to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) framework; and while NIST does not have a third-party certification or assessment available, the criteria are also mapped to other security frameworks that are certified or assessed by a qualified third-party. Note that while there is not a single security framework that addresses all criteria, including NIST, most can be verified by obtaining a combination of certifications and/or assessments.
January 11, 2022
Survey for Suppliers of Products or Services for the Electric Industry
The North American Transmission Forum (NATF), working with the organizations identified below, is facilitating a survey to obtain initial input on the development of a central repository/library to support the efficient sharing of required supply-chain-related security information from companies that supply products or services for the electric system and energy sector.
The primary objective is to reduce supply chain risks; a repository could serve to significantly reduce the level of effort to achieve this objective—for both companies required to ensure adequate vendor security and for vendors supporting this sector by limiting the number of times they have to provide the same security information.
This survey provides you an opportunity to include your ideas and input in the development of this central library.
The survey can be accessed HERE and will be open through January 24. A pdf version of the survey is available for your convenience.
Background
Supply chain breaches continue to be a risk to operational reliability and national security. Entities looking to implement supply chain risk management—as well as government, insurers, and other interested parties—have begun requiring the submission of basic security and hygiene data to better assess risks across third-party vendors. The development of a central repository, or library, of this commonly and repeatedly requested data is an opportunity for the electric industry to forward the implementation of a vendor assessment solution mitigating supply chain risks rather than having a solution imposed upon the industry through an executive order, regulation, or other method.
A viable central library that can provide information to help all participants identify and mitigate supply-chain risks will significantly reduce the level of effort associated with these evolving requirements. However, developing and establishing this library in a manner that meets your needs and security objectives relies on your support/participation and the support/participation from industry companies. The first step is to obtain good input and feedback. Your responses to this supplier-side survey will be used to ensure the development of a central library will best support these efforts across all stakeholders. A parallel effort is also underway to obtain input from industry companies. Collectively, these will be used to build a leading practice library to enhance our ability to more efficiently conduct supplier risk assessments and supplement our approach to mitigating supplier risk.
The survey consists of 26 questions, with a free-form write-in option at the end of the survey for you to provide additional input. Please provide responses to as many of the questions as you can. Your feedback is important to guide the appropriate development of a central library.
If you have any difficulty in accessing the survey or questions, please contact Valerie Agnew at vagnew@natf.net.
We appreciate you taking the time to complete the survey!
Supporting Organizations
CNK Solutions
Exelon
Hitachi Power Grids
Hubbell
International Society of Automation (ISA)
Schneider Electric
Schweitzer Engineering Labs (SEL)
Siemens
US Chamber of Commerce