What type of compliance is required under NERC “CIP” standards?

The correct answer highlights the focus of NERC's Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards, which are designed specifically to establish requirements for the cybersecurity of critical infrastructures within the electric power industry. These standards aim to protect the bulk electric system from cyber threats by addressing various aspects of cybersecurity, including risk assessments, the protection of cyber assets, incident reporting, and training.

This significance arises from the increasing dependence of the electric grid on digital technology, which introduces vulnerabilities that could potentially disrupt service or compromise safety. Therefore, B is accurate because it specifically relates to safeguarding the power systems through cybersecurity measures, which is the primary goal of the NERC CIP standards.

The other options relate to areas that, while important in their respective domains, do not align with the specific requirements set forth by NERC CIP standards. Data management compliance, environmental sustainability compliance, and financial accountability standards do not focus on the cybersecurity aspects that are critical for protecting the functionality and reliability of the electric grid, making these other choices unsuitable in the context of NERC's CIP regulations.