FERC Issues Order Directing Informational Filing Regarding Virtualization and Cloud Computing Services

On December 17, 2020, in Docket No. RM20-8-000, FERC issued an order directing NERC to begin a formal process to assess the feasibility of voluntarily conducting bulk electric system (BES) operations in the cloud in a secure manner and to make an informational filing by January 1, 2021. The informational filing will consider the feasibility of modifying the Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Reliability Standards to facilitate the voluntary use of virtualization and cloud computing for purposes beyond data storage (i.e., to perform BES reliability operating services), as well as the status and schedule for any plans to modify the standards by NERC.

To view FERC’s order, click here.