What type of audits are commonly referred to as 706 audits?

The term "706 audits" commonly refers to CIP audits, specifically addressing the requirements set forth by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) related to Critical Infrastructure Protection. These audits are part of a regulatory framework established to ensure that entities responsible for the reliable operation of the bulk electric system protect their critical infrastructure from cybersecurity threats.

CIP audits assess compliance with established standards aimed at safeguarding the cyber and physical infrastructure of the power grid. They involve evaluating an organization's policies, procedures, and controls related to cybersecurity, asset management, and incident response, ensuring all required protections are effectively implemented. The primary goal of these audits is to enhance the resilience of critical systems against potential vulnerabilities and attacks.

In the context of the other options: Operations and Planning audits focus more on the operational procedures and planning aspects of electricity delivery, while Cyber Security audits, though related, are broader and not specifically designated as 706 audits. Reliability audits are concerned with the overall reliability metrics and performance of electrical systems but do not exclusively cover the cybersecurity aspects addressed in CIP audits.