In cases where malicious code is detected, what action must be taken?

The requirement to mitigate the threat of detected malicious code is essential for maintaining the security and reliability of Critical Infrastructure. When malicious code is identified, taking prompt and effective action to contain and eliminate the threat helps prevent potential damage or disruption to systems and operations. This proactive approach is in line with the NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards, which emphasize the need for robust security measures to protect against cyber threats.

In the context of cybersecurity, simply reporting the incident or ignoring it, especially if no immediate damage is apparent, does not adequately address the potential risks. Malicious code can often go undetected for a time, causing greater harm than initially visible. Consequently, ensuring that measures are in place to mitigate these threats is critical to protecting infrastructure and supporting the ongoing reliability and security of operations.