How often must security patches be evaluated according to CIP-007 R2.2?

Security patches must be evaluated every 35 days according to CIP-007 R2.2. This requirement is in place to ensure that vulnerabilities in software and systems are addressed promptly, reducing the risk of exploitation by malicious actors. Evaluating security patches regularly allows organizations to stay current with the latest updates and improvements, thus maintaining a more secure environment for Critical Cyber Assets.

The 35-day interval is designed to strike a balance between being proactive in applying updates and allowing sufficient time for the evaluation process to ascertain whether the patches are relevant, necessary, and do not introduce additional issues. This regular evaluation is critical for compliance with NERC standards and is part of a comprehensive strategy to protect the reliability of the Bulk Electric System.

In this context, other intervals specified in the alternatives do not align with the NERC CIP standards.