SANS and SERC Launch National NERC CIP Training Initiative to Bolster Grid Cybersecurity
Event summary
- SANS Institute and SERC Reliability Corporation partner to expand NERC CIP cybersecurity training for electric utilities nationwide.
- First training session, ICS456: NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection, scheduled for August 3-7, 2026, at SERC facilities.
- Program prepares participants for GIAC Critical Infrastructure Protection (GCIP) certification.
- Training integrates technical controls for operational technology environments with NERC CIP compliance requirements.
The big picture
This partnership addresses growing cybersecurity risks in operational technology environments as utilities increasingly adopt virtualization, cloud services, and automation. The initiative reflects a broader industry shift toward proactive education to maintain grid reliability amid technological change. The program's success could set a precedent for other regional reliability organizations to enhance workforce development and compliance preparedness.
What we're watching
- Training Effectiveness
- Whether the coordinated regional training model will improve compliance readiness and operational alignment across utilities.
- Industry Adoption
- The pace at which other regional reliability organizations adopt similar collaborative training initiatives.
- Regulatory Alignment
- How evolving operational technologies will challenge traditional NERC CIP standards and training approaches.
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