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Regulations OK'd For E-Security

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The Associated Press

Published: January 18, 2008

WASHINGTON - Federal regulators on Thursday approved the first cybersecurity standards for the nation's electric industry, following growing concerns about the power grid's vulnerabilities.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved mandatory reliability standards for protecting physical and electronic access to control systems, training personnel on security matters, reporting incidents and recovery planning from a breach.

The commission approved the rules proposed last July and also directed the North American Electric Reliability Corp., which oversees the grid, to strengthen technical and oversight provisions, including removing language that allowed varied implementation of standards based on "reasonable business judgment."

"These modifications will strengthen the reliability standards we approve today, and improve our defenses against cyberthreats," Federal Energy Regulatory Commission chairman Joseph T. Kelliher said in a statement.

The Edison Electric Institute, which represents investor-owned utilities that supply about 70 percent of the nation's electric generation had advocated for standards and welcomed the decision.

The group would not comment further until it receives the final rules, spokesman Ed Legge said.

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