ARTICLE · 19 JULY 2013

CFATS Evolves: The Current State of Chemical Industry Security

Reed Smith

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Last week, the Department of Homeland Security and the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (as Chemical Sector Coordinating Council) co-hosted a two-day summit on "Chemical Sector Security." The conference brought together industry groups, individual companies and government agencies to discuss the laws, regulations and pending initiatives relating to physical and data security of chemical facilities and industries. Several developments and issues are of particular interest:

United StatesGovernment, Public Sector

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Last week, the Department of Homeland Security and the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (as Chemical Sector Coordinating Council) co-hosted a two-day summit on "Chemical Sector Security." The conference brought together industry groups, individual companies and government agencies to discuss the laws, regulations and pending initiatives relating to physical and data security of chemical facilities and industries. Several developments and issues are of particular interest:

Suzanne Spaulding, DHS Deputy Undersecretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate, noted that physical and cyber security are "inextricably linked" and must be addressed accordingly. She also stressed that public/private information-sharing must occur in both directions and emphasized efforts currently underway in DHS to improve the process. Others on the panel described the physical and cyber threats to owners and operators in the chemical sector, their proprietary

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