NERC Reliability Standards (general concept)

NERC Reliability Standards are the broader family of mandatory requirements, developed through an open, industry-driven process, that define how the North American bulk power system must be planned and operated to stay reliable. NERC CIP is one specific category within this broader family, focused on cybersecurity and physical security; the full set of Reliability Standards also covers things like system planning, operating procedures, and personnel training that have nothing to do with security specifically.