Security Technology Solutions
Energy & Utilities
(Critical Infrastructure) Services
The energy and utilities sector provides essential services vital to modern society. As these industries increasingly adopt smart grid technologies, IoT, and digital control systems, they become critical infrastructure highly vulnerable to cyberattacks that could disrupt power, water, or fuel supplies. Protecting operational technology (OT), ensuring resilience against nation-state attacks, and adhering to strict sector-specific regulations are paramount for national security and public safety.
Key Regulations For Energy & Utilities Sector
NERC CIP (North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection):
This is the mandatory and most prominent set of standards for electric utilities in North America. NERC CIP addresses the security of the Bulk Electric System (BES) and includes requirements for security management, personnel and training, electronic security perimeters, physical security, incident response, and more.
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Directives and Frameworks:
CISA provides mandatory directives for federal agencies and non-binding, but highly influential, frameworks and guidance for critical infrastructure sectors. This includes the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), which is widely adopted for risk management, and sector-specific CISA initiatives for water, oil & gas, and electricity.
TSA Directives (Transportation Security Administration):
For pipeline operators and other transportation infrastructure entities (including those handling oil, gas, and hazardous liquids), TSA issues Security Directives mandating cybersecurity measures and incident reporting to protect critical pipelines and related facilities.
Cross-Sector Critical Infrastructure Directives:
Depending on the specific utility, other cross-sector critical infrastructure guidance or potential mandates may apply, particularly regarding supply chain risk management for industrial control system components.
ISA/IEC 62443:
A comprehensive series of international standards focused on the security of Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS) and Operational Technology (OT) environments. These standards are crucial for securing SCADA, DCS, PLCs, and other industrial control systems across all energy and utility subsectors.
State-specific Utility Regulations:
Many states have their own Public Utility Commissions (PUCs) or similar bodies that impose additional cybersecurity requirements on utility providers within their jurisdiction, often in alignment with NERC CIP or CISA guidelines.
Our Solutions for The Energy Sector
Security Technology Solutions specializes in guiding government contractors and public sector entities through the complex landscape of federal and state cybersecurity mandates.
• Security Posture Assessments & Gap Analysis: We perform in-depth assessments against NIST SP 800-171, CMMC, and FISMA requirements, identifying critical gaps in your systems that handle CUI and other sensitive government data, providing a clear path to compliance and contract readiness.
• Regulatory Compliance & Governance Consulting: Our experts provide comprehensive guidance on CMMC certification readiness, NIST 800-171 implementation, FISMA, and FedRAMP requirements, assisting with policy development, System Security Plan (SSP) creation, and audit preparation to secure government contracts.
• Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) & Risk Analysis: We help identify and mitigate risks to government data, critical infrastructure information, and public services, aligning your cybersecurity efforts with federal risk management frameworks (e.g., NIST RMF).
• Incident Response Planning & Advisory: We develop and test robust incident response plans that meet stringent government reporting requirements (e.g., 72-hour reporting for CUI incidents under DFARS), ensuring rapid containment, recovery, and minimal disruption to government operations.
• Security Strategy & Roadmap Development: We assist in developing a long-term cybersecurity strategy aligned with federal agency requirements, ensuring your security investments support continuous monitoring and evolving government mandates.
• Security Awareness Training & Education Program Design: Customized training for government contractors and public sector employees focuses on the specific threats to government data, proper handling of CUI, phishing awareness, and adherence to security policies critical for compliance.
• Vendor Risk Management (Third-Party Risk Advisory): Essential for multi-tier supply chains in government contracting, we help assess and manage the cybersecurity posture of subcontractors and cloud service providers to ensure their compliance doesn't jeopardize your prime contracts (e.g., CMMC flow-down requirements).
• Data Privacy Consulting: We provide specialized guidance on protecting PII handled for government services and citizens, ensuring compliance with federal privacy laws and secure data lifecycle management.