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Chemical Sector Cyber Security Strategy

Given the chemical sector's history as a performance industry, it has consistently set and delivered against self-imposed improvement and stewardship goals. It is through this same commitment that the sector organized its efforts to enhance the security of the information technology (IT) and manufacturing systems upon which it relies on to conduct business.

In April 2002, the sector recognized the need for a unified plan of action to address cyber security across the sector, as well as with technology providers, supply chain partners and other critical infrastructure industries. To accomplish this, a taskforce comprised of 16 high-level subject matter experts was chartered to create the Chemical Sector Cyber Security Strategy.

The Strategy provided a generalized roadmap for improving cyber security preparedness and performance across the chemical sector. The strategy also created the framework for the Chemical Sector Cyber Security Program, a sector-wide program that leverages technology, processes and people to help protect communities, facilitate safe operations, prevent unauthorized access to proprietary information and enable business continuity throughout the global industry. The strategy was reviewed, endorsed and delivered to the industry in June 2002. It was subsequently appended to the February 2003 National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace.

In 2006, the chemical sector examined its progress against the original strategy and redefined the path forward. The 2006 edition of the Chemical Sector Cyber Security Strategy was published in September 2006. The updated document outlines the sector's plans to continue facilitating improvements to IT and manufacturing system security. It also builds on the chemical sector's many achievements in enhancing cyber security since the original strategy published in 2002.

As outlined in the Strategy, the Cyber Security Program is focused on five strategic elements for enhancing the security of information technology (IT) and manufacturing systems within the chemical sector.

The Chemical Sector Cyber Security Strategy guides the chemical sector as it continues to work with government agencies, technology providers, industry organizations, standards bodies, and other critical infrastructure sectors to focus on cyber security risk management and reduction throughout the global industry.