Chemical Sector Releases Updated Cyber Security Strategy.

Strategy Outlines Future Plans for Continuing to Enhance IT and Manufacturing System Security in the Chemical Sector

WASHINGTON -- The Chemical Sector Cyber Security Program today unveiled the 2006 edition of the Chemical Sector Cyber Security Strategy at the 2nd Chemical Information Technology Council (ChemITC)[TM] Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. ChemITC is a CHEMSTAR([R]) Panel of the American Chemistry Council (ACC). The updated document outlines the sector's plans to continue driving improvements to information technology (IT) and manufacturing system security through a sector-wide program. It builds on the chemical sector's many achievements in enhancing cyber security since the original strategy published in 2002.

Leveraging technology, processes and people, the 2006 edition of the Chemical Sector Cyber Security Strategy is intended to guide the chemical sector as it continues to work to help protect communities, facilitate safe operations, prevent unauthorized taking of proprietary information and enable business continuity throughout the global industry. The document focuses on the two main aspects of cyber security in the chemical industry eAE IT and manufacturing system security.

Renewing the Cyber Security Program's vision for the next four years, the updated strategy organizes the path forward for the chemical sector into five key elements: information sharing, guidance enhancement and relevance, sector-wide adoption, enhanced security in technology solutions and government relations. Within each of these elements, proposed strategic plans as well as the desired state of cyber security are described.

"The Cyber Security Program is energized by the progress we have made since 2002 in providing guidance to assist companies, increasing chemical company participation and establishing a relationship with the Department of Homeland Security," said Neil Hershfield, Chemical Sector Cyber Security Program Director and a Dow Chemical Company employee. "Our goal is to try to be one step ahead, and evolving to keep up with the ever-changing threat landscape is a significant part of that."

The Chemical Sector Cyber Security Program Steering Team prepared the 2006 edition of the Chemical Sector Cyber Security Strategy. The document incorporates input from ChemITC member Chief Information Officers (CIOs). Additionally, the Chemical Sector Coordinating Council, which represents 16 chemical industry trade associations committed to enhancing sector security, reviewed the document.

"With four years of dedication to cyber security, the chemical sector continues to share with other industries the vision of better securing our nation's virtual borders from ongoing threats," said David Kepler, chair of the ChemITC Executive Board and senior vice president Shared Services and Environment, Health and Safety, and Chief Information Officer at The Dow Chemical Company. "With our renewed strategy in place, we can continue to enhance our cyber security posture and demonstrate our sector's leadership, paving the way for other industries to follow."

The Cyber Security Program is a strategic program of ChemITC. ChemITC is a CHEMSTAR([R]) Panel of the ACC. For more information, visit www.chemicalcybersecurity.com and www.chemitc.com.