NERC CIP-014-01: Physical Security—Regulatory Compliance and Real World Implementation

Abstract

To increase reliability of the bulk electric system (BES), and due to media reports concerning the safety of key transmission stations from physical attacks, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requested that the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) develop a physical security standard. This standard, CIP-014-01: “Physical Security” (NERC, 2014), requires transmission system owners to identify key stations and control centers that pose a system instability risk, identify potential threats and vulnerabilities for those stations, develop and implement a security plan to protect those stations from physical attack, and obtain third-party verification. This paper will provide an overview of this new standard, and then discuss how substation civil engineers, working with transmission owner’s planning and operations staff, can cost-effectively design for increased physical security of vital assets. Topics will include: (1) Station layout – considerations for protection of critical equipment. (2) Fencing and screening to block line of sight – pros and cons, methods. (3) Vehicular barriers – site-specific considerations, types. (4) Transformer firewalls for protection against projectiles – design considerations and latest technology. (5) New technologies in security measures.