NERC CIP + TSA pipeline + OT/IT segregation + grid operations + regulatory reporting. 18 energy + utility deployments.
Last updated by Errin O'Connor, Founder & Chief AI Architect, EPC Group
Energy + utility Copilot deployment: strict OT/IT segregation — Copilot in IT, NEVER in OT (SCADA, DCS, PLC). NERC CIP for electric utilities (11 standards), TSA pipeline security for oil + gas pipelines, FERC + state PUC + EPA + OSHA. 6 use cases: regulatory reporting, grid operations planning, field service, customer service, environmental + safety, capital projects. OT/IT segregation via network segmentation + identity separation + data flow control + physical separation + BYOAI enforcement + Insider Risk elevated monitoring. EPC Group tiers: NERC + TSA Readiness, Foundation, Agents, Full Rollout and a monthly Retainer — each a fixed fee set at scoping. 18 energy + utility deployments.
Yes, with strict OT/IT segregation. Energy + utility companies (electric, gas, water, pipeline) deploy Copilot in corporate IT while maintaining strict isolation from operational technology (OT) networks. Required controls: (1) NERC CIP (Critical Infrastructure Protection) compliance for electric utilities. (2) TSA pipeline security directives for oil + gas pipelines. (3) OT network isolation via network segmentation + no Copilot access. (4) Insider Risk Management for critical infrastructure personnel. (5) Sensitivity labels for regulatory + operational content. (6) Purview Restrict Access for CIP-scoped SharePoint. Utility Copilot deployment typical: 16-24 weeks, services fixed fee quoted after discovery, plus licenses.
Six proven energy + utility Copilot use cases: (1) Regulatory reporting — NERC compliance filings, FERC reports, state PUC filings, environmental reporting. (2) Grid operations planning — planning studies, interconnection studies, load forecasting narratives. (3) Field service — technician dispatch, work order communication, safety procedure lookup. (4) Customer service — outage communication, rate inquiries, billing. (5) Environmental + safety — permit applications, incident reporting, ESG reporting. (6) Capital projects — RFP + contract management, project reporting, stakeholder communication. Avoid: real-time grid control decisions, protective relay settings, market bidding decisions.
North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection (NERC CIP) is the mandatory cybersecurity standard for bulk electric system operators + owners in North America. 11 standards: CIP-002 through CIP-014. Coverage: (1) BES Cyber System identification + categorization. (2) Security management controls. (3) Personnel + training. (4) Electronic Security Perimeters. (5) Physical Security. (6) Systems Security Management. (7) Incident Reporting + Response Planning. (8) Recovery Plans. (9) Configuration Change Management + Vulnerability Assessments. (10) Information Protection. (11) Communications Between Control Centers + Substations. Copilot deployment: strict segregation from BES Cyber Systems.
OT (Operational Technology) manages physical processes (SCADA, DCS, PLC controlling grid, plants, pipelines). IT (Information Technology) manages corporate systems. Copilot deployment principle: Copilot lives in IT, NEVER in OT. Segregation controls: (1) Network segmentation — Copilot traffic prohibited on OT networks. (2) Identity separation — OT operators use separate accounts + credentials. (3) Data flow control — no Copilot ingestion of OT data unless via strictly-controlled data lake abstraction. (4) Physical separation — OT terminals not Copilot-enabled. (5) BYOAI enforcement — OT operators prohibited from using consumer AI. (6) Insider Risk elevated monitoring for OT personnel. Utility Copilot deployment 100% requires OT/IT segregation.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued pipeline security directives (SD-01, SD-02, and updates) requiring: (1) Owner + operator identification. (2) Cybersecurity vulnerability assessment. (3) Cybersecurity architecture review. (4) Cyber incident response plan. (5) Physical security measures. (6) Personnel training. Applies to pipeline operators transporting hazardous liquids + natural gas. TSA framework aligns with NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Copilot deployment for pipeline operators: same OT/IT segregation as electric utilities + additional TSA-specific incident reporting integration.
Six frameworks energy + utilities navigate: (1) NERC CIP — electric utilities bulk system. (2) TSA pipeline security — oil + gas pipelines. (3) FERC — Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (4) EPA + state environmental — Clean Air Act + Clean Water Act + state variations. (5) State PUC (Public Utility Commission) — rate cases + service quality + customer protection. (6) OSHA + PSM — worker safety + process safety management. Copilot deployment for utilities must respect all applicable frameworks. Purview Compliance Manager templates for CIP + NIST CSF + FERC alignment.
EPC Group energy + utility portfolio: (1) NERC CIP + TSA Copilot Readiness (6 weeks) — regulatory audit + OT/IT segregation design + roadmap. (2) Foundation Hardening (10 weeks) — labels + DLP + Insider Risk + OT/IT network segmentation validation. (3) Copilot Studio Agents (8-12 weeks) — custom agents for regulatory reporting + field service + customer service. (4) Full Enterprise Rollout (24-32 weeks). (5) Ongoing Utility AI Retainer — monthly, scoped to the estate. Each is a fixed fee quoted after a scoping call; year-1 total is the services plus Copilot licenses. Energy vertical: electric utility, natural gas, water, pipeline, renewable. 18 energy + utility deployments completed.
6-week fixed fee: regulatory audit + OT/IT segregation design + roadmap. Call (888) 381-9725.
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