Cybersecurity Training for the Power Sector

Continuing our series on the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) guidelines for the power sector, this eighth article focuses on Cybersecurity Training. Effective cybersecurity training is crucial for personnel who interact with critical systems, ensuring they are equipped to safeguard against cyber threats. By establishing and maintaining a comprehensive cybersecurity training program, power sector organizations can enhance the resilience and preparedness of their teams against potential cyber incidents.

This article is divided into two sections. In the first, we reproduce the exact clauses from the CEA guidelines on cybersecurity training. The second section highlights the objectives of these clauses, identifies the challenges in their implementation, and provides actionable suggestions to address these challenges.

Section 1: Central Electric Authority (CEA) Guidelines on Cybersecurity Training

a) The Responsible Entity shall establish, document, implement, and maintain an annual cybersecurity training program for personnel having authorized cyber or authorized physical access (unescorted or escorted) to their Critical Systems.

b) The Responsible Entity shall review annually their cybersecurity training program and shall update it whenever necessary. Annual Review shall record the evaluation of the effectiveness of the training held.

c) The Responsible Entity shall ensure that the cybersecurity training program designed for their IT as well as OT O&M Personnel includes the following topics. As per their functional requirements and security concerns, additional topics shall be added:

1. User authentication and authorization.
2. Cybersecurity and protection mechanisms of IT/OT/ICS systems.
3. Introduction to various standards, i.e., ISO/IEC 15408, ISO/IEC 24748-1, ISO 27001, ISO 27002, ISO 27019, IS 16335, IEC/ISO 62443.
4. Training on implementation of ISO/IEC 27001 and awareness of IEC 62443.
5. Vulnerability assessment in the critical system.
6. Monitoring and preserving electronic logs of access to critical assets.
7. Detecting cyber-attacks on SCADA and ICS systems.
8. Handling critical systems during a cyber crisis.
9. Action plans and procedures to recover or re-establish normal functioning of critical assets following a cybersecurity incident.
10. Hands-on SCADA operation at any of the Regional Load Dispatch Centres.
11. Handling risks involved in the procurement of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) products.

d) All personnel engaged in O&M of IT & OT Systems shall mandatorily undergo courses on cybersecurity of the power sector from a training institute designated by CEA, within 90 days of notification of CEA Guidelines on Cybersecurity in the Power Sector.

e) The Responsible Entity shall ensure that none of their newly hired or current personnel have access to the critical system before the satisfactory completion of a cybersecurity training program from designated training institutes in India, except in specific circumstances such as a cyber crisis or emergency.

f) NPTI, in consultation with CEA, shall identify and design domain-specific courses on cybersecurity for different target groups. The “Governing Board for PSO Training and Certification” shall approve the content, duration, etc., of these courses and review them annually. NPTI shall conduct these courses regularly at all branches and maintain a list of participants who have successfully completed the course.

Section 2: Objectives, Challenges, and Suggestions for Each Clause

Clause a:

Objective:

To establish a consistent and well-documented cybersecurity training program ensuring that personnel with access to critical systems are trained and capable of safeguarding these assets.

Challenges:

• High turnover of trained personnel could leave gaps in knowledge and readiness.
• Coordinating regular training sessions may strain resources, especially for smaller entities.
• Ensuring the training content remains up-to-date with evolving cyber threats.

Suggestions:

• Develop a modular training program allowing for flexibility in schedules.
• Implement refresher courses and quick updates on emerging cyber threats.
• Maintain a roster of cybersecurity-certified personnel to track their availability for critical system access.

Clause b:

Objective:

To annually review and update the cybersecurity training program, ensuring its effectiveness in mitigating cybersecurity risks.

Challenges:

• Measuring the effectiveness of training programs can be complex.
• Frequent updates may be challenging to implement across large teams.

Suggestions:

• Use assessment tools to gauge knowledge retention and practical application post-training.
• Collect feedback from participants and update the program accordingly to improve learning outcomes.

Clause c:

Objective:

Ensure that IT and OT O&M personnel receive comprehensive cybersecurity training across a wide range of topics, from user authentication to SCADA operations.

Challenges:

• Covering the breadth of topics in a meaningful way may require significant time and resources.
• Balancing cybersecurity training with operational duties for IT/OT personnel.

Suggestions:

• Design role-specific modules focusing on relevant topics for each group.
• Use blended learning methods, including virtual simulations, to make training efficient and impactful.

Clause d:

Objective:

To mandate that all personnel engaged in IT/OT O&M roles complete cybersecurity courses within a set timeframe.

Challenges:

• Completing the training within the stipulated time may be challenging for new recruits.
• Limited training slots available from designated institutes may cause delays.

Suggestions:

• Increase availability of courses by partnering with multiple training institutes.
• Offer online versions of foundational courses to speed up the onboarding process for new personnel.

Clause e:

Objective:

To restrict access to critical systems until personnel have completed the required cybersecurity training, enhancing security.

Challenges:

• Temporary staffing needs might pressurize exceptions, leading to potential security risks.
• Emergency access scenarios may lead to inadequately trained personnel accessing critical systems.

Suggestions:

• Develop protocols for supervised access in emergencies until full training is completed.
• Maintain a pool of fully-trained personnel who can be rotated in critical roles during emergencies.

Clause f:

Objective:

Ensure that NPTI, in consultation with the CEA, designs and offers cybersecurity courses suited to the needs of various target groups within the power sector.

Challenges:

• Course content may become outdated as cyber threats evolve.
• Training schedules and locations may not align with personnel availability.

Suggestions:

• Conduct an annual review of course content with CEA to keep it relevant.
• Offer flexible training schedules and prioritize remote learning options to improve accessibility.

By implementing these training guidelines, the power sector can fortify its cybersecurity posture, ensuring that personnel are well-equipped to handle the complexities of modern cyber threats.

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