NRC, FERC to cooperate on cybersecurity for nuke plants
Commissions sign pact for cybersecurity
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will cooperate to ensure cybersecurity for nuclear power plants.
The agreement lays out the basic principles and guidelines for how the commissions will work together to ensure the reliability of the electric power grid and nuclear power plants. According to the agreement, areas for cooperation include cybersecurity and information sharing during emergency responses.
The commissions agreed that protocols for sharing information regarding the status of the electric grid will be developed and tested.
The agreement was posted on FERC’s Web site Sept. 2, the same day it was signed by James Pederson, FERC’s chief of staff. It was signed by R.W. Borchardt, the NRC’s executive director for operations, Aug. 21.
The pact will expire in 60 months from signing, but may be terminated by mutual agreement or unilaterally by one of the commissions with written notice 90 days in advance, according to the agreement.
About the Author
Ben Bain is a reporter for Federal Computer Week.