Security News > 2022 > October > Biden now wants to toughen up chemical sector's cybersecurity

The White House is adding the chemical sector to a program launched last year to improve cybersecurity capabilities within America's critical infrastructure industries.

Jen Easterly, director of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, suggested at a CISA-hosted Chemical Security Summit in August that the chemical industry was next up for the program.

In outlining its plan for shoring up IT protections in the chemical sector, the White House noted that because most chemical companies are privately owned, a government-private sector collaboration is needed.

CISA is taking the lead for the US government while a panel representing 15 chemical industry groups will go through a 100-day sprint to create a plan for the industry that will focus on high-risk chemical facilities and drive information sharing and coordination between the federal government and industry organizations.

CISA and industry groups will encourage coordination between owners and operators in the chemical industry to deploy the necessary technology to defend critical computer systems, based on the risk assessment and cybersecurity posture in that industry.

The White House in its announcement stressed the role the chemical sector plays today, saying it "Produces and manufactures chemicals that are used directly or as building blocks in the everyday lives of Americans, from fertilizers and disinfectants to personal care products and energy sources."

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2022/10/27/biden_chemical_cybersecurity_sprint/