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The Central Government has implemented a series of robust measures to enhance the cybersecurity of India’s power grid, ensuring the protection of critical infrastructure. Under the Information Technology Act, of 2000, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has been designated as the national agency for addressing cybersecurity incidents. Additionally, the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) has been established to safeguard critical information infrastructure, including the power sector.
In April 2023, the Computer Security Incident Response Team Power (CSIRT-Power) was specifically established for the power sector. Further, Sectoral Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) have been set up for various segments such as Thermal, Hydro, Transmission, Distribution, Grid Operation, and Renewable Energy.
Key Steps to Enhance Cybersecurity:
GRID-India’s Security Operation Centre (SOC): Established to monitor security events and incidents across Regional Load Despatch Centres (RLDCs) and National Load Despatch Centres (NLDCs). The NLDC’s IT infrastructure has been upgraded with advanced security features.
POWERGRID’s SOC: Operational for 24×7 monitoring of critical assets.
State-Level IT Infrastructure Upgrades:
Manipur SLDC: Two new firewalls and web servers were commissioned.
Chhattisgarh SLDC: Network Management System (NMS) and next-generation firewall implemented.
Kerala SLDC: Centralized End Point Protection implemented.
Bihar SLDC: Security Operation Centre (SOC) set up.
Multiple States: Implementation of next-generation firewalls in Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Delhi SLDCs.
ISO27001 Certification: Acquired by 11 SLDCs including those in Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Odisha, and others.
SCADA System Upgrade: In progress at Andhra Pradesh SLDC with new firewalls commissioned.As of March 2024, 30 out of 35 State Load Despatch Centres have conducted Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing (VAPT) cyber security audits over the past five years.
Cybersecurity Awareness and Training:
Regular workshops, training sessions, awareness programs, conferences, and cybersecurity exercises are conducted by NCIIPC, CERT-IN, and CSIRT-Power for utilities, industry, and academia. “Cyber Jaagrukta Diwas” is organized on the first Wednesday of every month to promote employee cybersecurity awareness. Power sector employees are encouraged to obtain certifications and attend courses offered by agencies such as the National Power Training Institute (NPTI) and Rashtriya Raksha University.
No significant cybersecurity incidents have been reported that affected the operations of the Indian Power Grid, thanks to these proactive measures.
The Minister of State provided this information for Power, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
ANNEXURE
Grid Utilities – Status of VAPT Cyber Security Audit
Sl. No. State/UT SLDCs Status (VAPT-Cyber Security Audit Done-Year)
1 Punjab Punjab SLDC, Patiala 2021, 2022, 2023
2 Haryana Haryana SLDC, Panipat 2021, 2022, 2023
3 Himachal Pradesh Himachal Pradesh SLDC, Shimla 2021, 2022, 2023
4 J&K J&K SLDC – Jammu 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
5 Rajasthan Rajasthan SLDC, Jaipur 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
6 Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh SLDC, Lucknow 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
7 Uttarakhand Uttarakhand SLDC, Dehradun 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
8 Delhi Delhi SLDC, New Delhi 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
9 Chandigarh Bhakra Beas Management Board SLDC, Chandigarh 2021, 2022, 2023
10 Gujarat Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited SLDC 2022, 2023, 2024
11 Chhattisgarh Chhattisgarh SLDC, Raipur 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
12 Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh SLDC, Jabalpur 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
13 Maharashtra Maharashtra SLDC, Navi Mumbai 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
14 Goa Goa SLDC, Panaji 2021, 2022, 2023
15 U.T. of Dadra & Nagar Haveli. Electricity Department, Daman & Diu 2021, 2022, 2023
16 Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh SLDC, Vijayawada 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
17 Karnataka Karnataka SLDC, Bangalore 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
18 Kerala Kerala SLDC, Kalamassery, Cochin 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
19 Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu SLDC, Chennai 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
20 Telangana Telangana SLDC, Hyderabad 2021, 2022, 2024
21 Puducherry Puducherry SLDC, Puducherry 2022, 2024
22 Arunachal Pradesh Arunachal Pradesh SLDC 2022, 2023, 2024
23 Assam Assam SLDC, Guwahati 2022, 2023, 2024
24 Manipur Manipur SLDC, Imphal 2022, 2023, 2024
25 Meghalaya Meghalaya SLDC, Shillong 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
26 Mizoram Mizoram SLDC 2022, 2023, 2024
27 Nagaland Nagaland SLDC, Dimapur
28 Tripura Tripura SLDC, Agartala
29 Bihar Bihar SLDC, Patna
30 Jharkhand Jharkhand SLDC, Ranchi 2020, 2022, 2023
31 West Bengal West Bengal SLDC, Howrah
32 Orissa Orissa SLDC, Bhubaneswar 2021, 2022, 2024
33 DVC DVC SLDC, Howrah & Kolkata 2021, 2022, 2023
34 Sikkim Sikkim SLDC, Gangtok
35 Grid Controller of India Limited (GRID-INDIA) 6 control centers NLDC, NRLDC, SRLDC, WRLDC, ERLDC, NERLDC 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 |
