FERC-725B, (Final Rule in RM15-14-000) Mandatory Reliability Standards for Critical Infrastructure Protection [CIP] Reliability Standards

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
RM15-14 Final Rule supporting statement3-23-2016.docx Supporting Statement A	2016-03-23
RM15-14NewsRelease20160121-3025.pdf Supplementary Document	2016-01-21
cfrPart40.docx Supplementary Document	2016-01-14
RM15-14 NERC Implement.Plan20150213-5143.pdf Supplementary Document	2016-01-04
NERC Petition Exhibit A_Proposed Reliability Stds_20150213-5143.pdf Supplementary Document	2016-01-04
NERC Petition 20150213-5143.pdf Supplementary Document	2016-01-04
16 USC 824o.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-06-29

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
181478	FERC-725B, Mandatory Reliability Standards for Critical Infrastructure Protection	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1902-0248	ICR Reference No: 201601-1902-001
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201503-1902-004
Agency/Subagency: FERC	Agency Tracking No: FERC-725B
Title: FERC-725B, (Final Rule in RM15-14-000) Mandatory Reliability Standards for Critical Infrastructure Protection [CIP] Reliability Standards
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved with change	Conclusion Date: 03/23/2016
	Date Received in OIRA: 01/27/2016
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection and associated revisions are approved.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	03/31/2019	36 Months From Approved	09/30/2018
Responses	1,415	0	1,415
Time Burden (Hours)	1,569,410	0	1,214,042
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: Pursuant to sec. 215 of Federal Power Act (FPA), in the Final Rule in RM15-14, FERC approves 7 critical infrastructure protection (CIP) Reliability Standards: CIP-003-6 (Security Management Controls), CIP-004-6 (Personnel & Training), CIP-006-6 (Physical Security of BES Cyber Systems), CIP-007-6 (Systems Security Management), CIP-009-6 (Recovery Plans for BES Cyber Systems), CIP-010-2 (Configuration Change Management & Vulnerability Assessments), & CIP-011-2 (Information Protection) (proposed CIP Reliability Stds.). North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), FERC-certified Electric Reliability Organization (ERO), submitted 7 proposed CIP Reliability Stds.in response to Order 791. FERC also approves NERC’s implementation plan & violation risk factor & violation severity level assignments. In addition, FERC approves NERC’s new or revised definitions for inclusion in NERC Glossary of Terms Used in Reliability Stds., subject to modification. Further, FERC approves retirement of Reliability Stds.CIP-003-5, -004-5.1, -006-5, -007-5, -009-5, -010-1, & -011-1. Proposed CIP Reliability Stds. are designed to mitigate cybersecurity risks to bulk electric system facilities, systems, & equipment, which, if destroyed, degraded, or otherwise rendered unavailable as a result of a cybersecurity incident, would affect reliable operation of Bulk-Power System. As discussed below, FERC finds that proposed CIP Reliability Stds. are just, reasonable, not unduly discriminatory or preferential, & in public interest, & address directives in Order 791 by: (1) eliminating “identify, assess, & correct” language in 17 of CIP version 5 Std. requirements; (2) providing enhanced security controls for Low Impact assets; (3) providing controls to address risks posed by transient electronic devices (e.g., thumb drives & laptop computers) used at High & Medium Impact BES Cyber Systems; & (4) addressing in an equally effective & efficient manner need for a NERC Glossary definition for term “communication networks.” Accordingly, FERC approves proposed CIP Reliability Stds. because they improve base-line cybersecurity posture of applicable entities compared to current Commission-approved CIP Reliability Stds. In addition, pursuant to FPA section 215(d)(5), FERC directs NERC to develop certain modifications to improve CIP Reliability Stds. First, NERC is directed to develop modifications to address protection of transient electronic devices used at Low Impact BES Cyber Systems. Modifications developed by NERC should be designed to effectively address, in an appropriately tailored manner, risks posed by transient electronic devices to Low Impact BES Cyber Systems. Second, FERC directs NERC to develop modifications to CIP-006-6 to require protections for communication network components & data communicated between all bulk electric system Control Centers according to risk posed to bulk electric system. With regard to questions raised in NOPR concerning potential need for additional remote access controls, NERC must conduct a comprehensive study that identifies strength of CIP version 5 remote access controls, risks posed by remote access-related threats & vulnerabilities, & appropriate mitigating controls. Third, FERC directs NERC to develop modifications to its definition for Low Impact External Routable Connectivity. FERC, in NOPR, also proposed to direct that NERC develop requirements relating to supply chain mgt. for industrial control system hardware, software, & services. After review of comments on this topic, FERC scheduled a staff-led technical conference for 1/28/2016, in order to facilitate a structured dialogue on supply chain risk mgt. issues identified by NOPR. Accordingly, this Final Rule does not address supply chain risk mgt. issues;rather, FERC will determine appropriate action on this area after scheduled conference.

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Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 109 - 58 1211, Title XII, Subtitle A Name of Law: Energy Policy Act of 2005
   US Code: 18 USC 824o Name of Law: Federal Power Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
1902-AF07	Final or interim final rulemaking	81 FR 4177	01/26/2016

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
FERC-725B, Mandatory Reliability Standards for Critical Infrastructure Protection

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	1,415	1,415	0	0	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	1,569,410	1,214,042	0	355,368	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The CIP Reliability Standards are designed to mitigate the cybersecurity risks to bulk electric system facilities, systems, and equipment, which, if destroyed, degraded, or otherwise rendered unavailable as a result of a cybersecurity incident, would affect the reliable operation of the Bulk-Power System. FERC finds that the CIP Reliability Standards are just and reasonable and address the directives in Order 791 by: (1) eliminating the “identify, assess, and correct” language in 17 of the CIP version 5 Standard requirements; (2) providing enhanced security controls for Low Impact assets; (3) providing controls to address the risks posed by transient electronic devices (e.g., thumb drives and laptop computers) used at High and Medium Impact BES Cyber Systems; and (4) addressing in an equally effective and efficient manner the need for a NERC Glossary definition for the term “communication networks.” Accordingly, the Commission approves the CIP Reliability Standards because they improve the base-line cybersecurity posture of applicable entities compared to the current Commission-approved CIP Reliability Standards. FERC also directed NERC to develop certain modifications as discussed in the order.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $5,193

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 01/27/2016

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