Managed Cyber Security Operations Centre and Security Information & Event Management

Your company is invited to respond to this Request for Information ("RFI") for

• the provision of an interim managed Cyber Security Operations Centre ("CSOC")
• the provision of a strategic Security Information and Events Management system ("SIEM"), and
• the provision of support to enable ESO to build and transition to an enduring in-house security operations centre.

For context, to enable the separation of the Electricity System Operator ("ESO") away from National Grid plc ("National Grid"), ESO requires a standalone cyber security capability which includes aggregation of log & event date, and 24/7 monitoring for evidence of cyber incidents.

Currently, National Grid host a group-level Security Operations Centre which monitors the estate for incidents and indicators of compromise. National Grid will continue to monitor ESO assets whilst they are being separated however, once assets are transitioned the responsibility for monitoring will transfer to ESO. ESO intend to operate an internal CSOC capability in the longer term, however, to enable the separation to proceed at-pace a partner is being sought to provide a tactical solution for 12-24 months.

Similarly, National Grid hosts its own SIEM/SOAR, (Security Orchestration, Automation and Response), solution and will continue to ingest data from ESO applications whilst they are being separated. Once environments and applications are transitioned, responsibility for ingestion of log sources will shift to ESO and therefore a solution is required to enable this. It is important for continuing operations that ESO own any vendor relationships related to SIEM and SOAR products in addition to the data contained within the products.

The purpose of this document is to provide a greater understanding of the scope of requirements, for us to understand your capabilities and your ideas, experience and recommendations in defining, selecting and delivering an integration solution-set and the partner best positioned to deliver the specified solution.

Programme Objectives

ESO is looking to select a partner to enable the successful separation of the cyber security monitoring function of the ESO away from National Grid at pace, by providing services as follows:-

• Selection and delivery of a SIEM/SOAR product or solution appropriate for the multiple complex environments ESO operate. As is it ESOs vision to transition to an internal CSOC capability in the longer-term, it is important that ESO owns any vendor relationships.
• A managed cyber security operations centre (CSOC) capability that includes 24/7 monitoring for evidence of cyber incidents, triage of events and escalation of incidents. CSOC will accommodate new environments and systems as they come online and so the solution will need to scale over time.
• Support in building an in-house CSOC, including people, process, technology, and migration planning.

To enable the separation to continue at-pace, it is required for a supplier is onboarded, SIEM/SOAR procurement has taken place and an interim CSOC solution are in place by December 2023.

Current State

ESOs separation from National Grid is marked by two key dates known as Day 1 (April 2024) and Day 2 (April 2026). To support and enable the separation programme, ESO require the selected partner to be onboarded and services noted operational by December 2023.

Day 1 marks the date that the Future System Operator is under new ownership and operation under Transitional Service Agreements (TSA) for certain services. Day 2 marks the date the enduring desired operating model for an independent Future System Operator is operational, has new industry roles, and fully exited TSAs with National Grid. Achieving the services within this RFI will ready ESO for Day 2.

Under the TSAs will be the current Incident Management processes and procedures that dovetail into the ESO Incident Management processes. Any supplier selected will need to adhere to and work with these current and future procedures.

Current Challenges

 ESO is a new entity and at the beginning of the set up of its cyber security management and operational teams

 ESO and National Grid, via the TSAs, must work closely together to maintain security

 ESO Incident Management processes and procedures for new systems and assets, within their own foundation environment, are new and must align to any 3rd party supplier engagement

 Time period until CSOC and SIEM/SOAR is operational is limited, to be achieved no later than December 2023

At a high level, the partners services should provide tools and capabilities that exceed the incumbents, complementing the platforms noted, technology, people, and processes. This notice has been edited to remove sensitive information after publication. Additional information: RFI QUESTIONS

1 Please provide details of SIEM/SOAR products with which you are able to integrate and use to provide a managed CSOC capability.

In your response, please include:

• Whether ESO are able to own the vendor relationship with any products or solutions
• Whether the products or solutions require Internet or Cloud connectivity to operate
• Whether the product or solution is a preferred or recommended vendor
• Any limitations of using a particular product or solution

2 Please summarise your experience in implementing and operating a managed Cyber Security Operations Centre (CSOC).

In your response, please include:

• Your experience in operating a managed CSOC on the customers premises
• Your experience in operating a managed CSOC remotely from your own premises
• Any industry certifications, attestations, or accreditations you hold related to your CSOC operations

3 Please summarise your experience in working with Critical National Infrastructure assets or other similar environments.

In your response, please include:

• Your approach to personnel security, including whether you employ staff subject to National Security Vetting
• Whether your delivery would be from the UK or other countr…