Guidelines to provide Cyber Security in Power Sector

In news- The government recently announced the release of guidelines for cybersecurity in the power sector for the first time.

About the guidelines-

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has prepared the guidelines under the provision of Section 3(10) on cybersecurity in the ‘Central Electricity Authority (Amendment) Regulations, 2019‘.
It lays down a cyber assurance framework, strengthens the regulatory framework, puts in place mechanisms for security threat early warning, vulnerability management and response to security threats, and secures remote operations and services.
The norms are applicable to all responsible entities as well as system integrators, equipment manufacturers, suppliers/ vendors, service providers, and IT hardware and software OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) engaged in the Indian power supply system.
The guidelines mandate ICT-based procurement from identified ‘trusted sources’ and ‘trusted products’ or else the product has to be tested for malware/ hardware trojan before deployment for use in the power supply system network.
The CEA is also working on cybersecurity regulations. These cybersecurity guidelines are a precursor to the same.

Central Electricity Authority of India (CEA)-

CEA is a statutory organisation constituted under section 3(1) of Electricity Supply Act 1948, which has been superseded by section 70(1) of the Electricity Act 2003.
It advises the government on policy matters and formulates plans for the development of electricity systems.
It prescribes the standards on matters such as construction of electrical plants, electric lines and connectivity to the grid, installation and operation of meters and safety and grid standards.
It is also responsible for concurrence of hydro power development schemes of central, state and private sectors.
However as per section 7 of this Act, the generating stations need not follow the CEA technical standards specified for construction of electrical plants and electric lines.
The CEA facilitates exchange of power within the country from surplus to deficit regions and with neighbouring countries for mutual benefits.
It advises the central government, state governments and regulatory commissions on all technical matters relating to generation, transmission and distribution of electricity.