Grid Gets Virtual: FERC Proposes Tech Security Overhaul
Published Date: 9/23/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is updating rules to keep our electric grid safe while using cool new tech like virtualization. These changes affect electric companies and make sure they protect important systems better and smarter. The updates roll out soon and help prevent costly power problems by keeping everything secure and reliable.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Grid reliability improved with virtualization rules
The Commission proposes approval of four new definitions and 18 modified definitions in the NERC Glossary plus eleven modified Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Reliability Standards. The changes are meant to enable virtualization and other new technologies in a secure way and help prevent costly power problems by keeping the electric grid more secure and reliable.
Electric companies subject to updated CIP standards
The proposal would modify the NERC Glossary (four new and 18 modified definitions) and approve eleven modified CIP Reliability Standards to update rules so virtualization and other new technologies can be applied securely. These updates explicitly affect electric companies and direct that important systems be better protected and managed.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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