Smart Grid Cyber Security Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance

  • Article

Having attended several Power Industry Events as well and many recent utility user group meetings, it’s been very insightful to talk with Utility security leaders from around the world. Security is top-of-mind for Utilities worldwide as they tackle the challenges of not only dealing with today’s threats but trying plan for tomorrow’s challenges as well.subnet

In the U.S. the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s (NERC) critical infrastructure protection (CIP) version 5 standards are in development and the professionals that we are talking with are resolute in their commitment to create an increasingly secure grid, and not just focus on compliance. While NERC CIP 5 is still in process, the preliminary discussions suggest that an area of high impact will be on the larger control stations which will drive the need to a more comprehensive solution and a simplified means to manage security. All of this means that it’s more important than ever to select a Governance, Risk Management and Compliance (GRC) solution that is well positioned to survive and succeed in this changing and sometimes challenging environment.

Pike Research recently released a report that assesses the strategy and execution of 14 leading cyber security vendors. Among the vendors ranking within the top 10 is SUBNET Solutions Inc. Pike Research reports that while the fledgling GRC market has no leaders out front just yet, SUBNET is a top contender for the spot. SUBNET is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and is a recognized innovator in the GRC space. We have written about SUBNET before here and here.

Pike Research evaluated SUBNET on their vision, product strategy, and technology roadmap. You can read a summary of the results here and here. McAfee/Nitro Security topped the list of the Pike Research report. As it turns out, SUBNET and McAfee/Nitro Security work closely together to deliver some of the most advanced GRC solutions available today.

Has SUBNET’s approach resonated with the Utilities industry? We think so by the simple fact that SUBNET's innovative approach to targeting specific areas of GRC has led 9 of the top 12 Utilities listed by Fortune magazine to adopt SUBNET. If you are interested in learning more about the innovation that SUBNET is driving in our industry, you can visit their substation test lab demonstrating GRC solutions at IEEE in booth #1763 or visit their website for more information and contacts. – Jerry Thomas and Jon C. Arnold