Napolitano Highlights Efforts Of Department’s CFATS Efforts At Chemical Sector Security Summit

  • Jul 08, 2010

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano recently delivered remarks highlighting the department’s ongoing efforts to bolster security and increase resiliency at high-risk chemical facilities through the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program at the 2010 Chemical Sector Security Summit.

“Securing our nation’s chemical sector requires extensive collaboration with our private sector partners,” said Secretary Napolitano. “Flexible, practical and collaborative programs such as DHS’ National Infrastructure Protection Plan, the Chemical Sector Coordinating Council and CFATS play a key role in enhancing the security and resiliency of our nation’s chemical facilities and other critical infrastructure.”

In her remarks, Napolitano outlined ongoing efforts to identify high-risk chemical facilities through CFATS, and underscored the importance of the program’s common-sense performance standards to help protect individual facilities against threats without compromising their unique operational characteristics or efficiency.

Napolitano also highlighted the department’s unique role in combating chemical security threats through both regulatory and voluntary programs -- a coordinated effort which includes multiple agencies and missions within the Department.

For instance, the Coast Guard has significant regulatory authority over chemical facilities along ports and waterways as part of the Maritime Transportation Security Act while the Transportation Security Administration works with industry partners to protect hazardous chemicals transported by rail and pipelines.

Additionally, to ensure the security of citizens throughout the nation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection screens cargo at our land and sea ports of entry to prevent chemical and radiological threats from entering the country, while the National Protection and Programs Directorate’s Office of Infrastructure Protection works directly with the chemical sector to ensure compliance with CFATS, and with the Chemical Sector Coordinating Council on a variety of voluntary security initiatives.

Underscoring the interconnectedness of the chemical sector to other sectors including energy, transportation and agriculture, Napolitano also emphasized the importance of cybersecurity -- in addition to physical security measures -- as a key part of any critical infrastructure security strategy.

 

Featured

  • Gaining a Competitive Edge

    Ask most companies about their future technology plans and the answers will most likely include AI. Then ask how they plan to deploy it, and that is where the responses may start to vary. Every company has unique surveillance requirements that are based on market focus, scale, scope, risk tolerance, geographic area and, of course, budget. Those factors all play a role in deciding how to configure a surveillance system, and how to effectively implement technologies like AI. Read Now

  • 6 Ways Security Awareness Training Empowers Human Risk Management

    Organizations are realizing that their greatest vulnerability often comes from within – their own people. Human error remains a significant factor in cybersecurity breaches, making it imperative for organizations to address human risk effectively. As a result, security awareness training (SAT) has emerged as a cornerstone in this endeavor because it offers a multifaceted approach to managing human risk. Read Now

  • The Stage is Set

    The security industry spans the entire globe, with manufacturers, developers and suppliers on every continent (well, almost—sorry, Antarctica). That means when regulations pop up in one area, they often have a ripple effect that impacts the entire supply chain. Recent data privacy regulations like GDPR in Europe and CPRA in California made waves when they first went into effect, forcing businesses to change the way they approach data collection and storage to continue operating in those markets. Even highly specific regulations like the U.S.’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) can have international reverberations – and this growing volume of legislation has continued to affect global supply chains in a variety of different ways. Read Now

  • Access Control Technology

    As we move swiftly toward the end of 2024, the security industry is looking at the trends in play, what might be on the horizon, and how they will impact business opportunities and projections. Read Now

Most   Popular

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file. 3

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis. 3

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure. 3