Cyber Security Leaders Gather at the Inaugural Chemical Sector Cyber Security Program Spring General Meeting; 21 Chemical Companies Represented.

ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Chemical Sector Cyber Security Program held its first Spring General Meeting in May to give chemical industry security professionals, technology providers and representatives from government agencies an opportunity to come together to address current cyber security issues in the chemical sector. The Chemical Sector Cyber Security Program is a strategic initiative of the Chemical Information Technology Council (ChemITC)(TM), which is a CHEMSTAR(R) Panel of the American Chemistry Council (ACC).

The Spring General Meeting activities centered around giving participants the opportunity to network with peers, participate in working sessions and address current issues in cyber security including: monitoring Internet usage, electronic discovery, business continuity planning relative to Avian Flu, joint venture IT access models, and manufacturing control systems security. Additionally, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) representatives shared their perspectives on reducing cyber security risks in the chemical sector. The Spring General Meeting, held at the ACC offices in Arlington, Va., attracted 50 attendees representing 21 chemical companies, three technology providers and three government agencies.

"With the ever-changing facets of cyber security, the Cyber Security Program provides valuable networking opportunities and resources to security professionals in the chemical industry," said Neil Hershfield, director of the Chemical Sector Cyber Security Program and a Dow Chemical Company employee. "Based on the overwhelmingly positive response to our first general meeting, we can proudly say that we are on the right path to helping companies take steps to increase the security of their IT and manufacturing control systems."

Cyber Security Program Project Team working sessions were held on the second day. The teams meet regularly to carry out various Program objectives:

--The Communication Material and Outreach Team creates materials to facilitate broad-based cyber security enhancements in the chemical sector.

--The Engage Trade Associations Team reaches out to chemical companies through non-ACC chemical sector trade associations to encourage adoption of cyber security practices.

--The Information Sharing Team works with DHS to help determine processes and tools for sharing cyber security information between DHS and the chemical sector.

--The Manufacturing and Control Systems Security Team represents chemical sector interests in matters related to the definition, development and application of cyber security technologies and methods to manufacturing and control systems.

--The Technology Team advocates important technology issues affecting the chemical sector and engages selected critical infrastructure sectors, other organizations and the government to jointly promote needs for improved technology solutions.

The Chemical Sector Cyber Security Program hosts two general meetings each year. The fall meeting will be held the week of September 25, 2006, in conjunction with the ChemITC Annual Meeting.

About the Chemical Sector Cyber Security Program

The Chemical Sector Cyber Security Program, established in 2002, is designed to enhance cyber security throughout the chemical sector to help protect people, property, products, processes, information and information systems. For more information on the Chemical Sector Cyber Security Program, visit www.chemicalcybersecurity.com

About ChemITC

A CHEMSTAR(R) panel of the American Chemistry Council (ACC), ChemITC is a forum for companies in and associated with the ACC to address common IT issues and support the industry's ability to safely and efficiently deliver products essential to society. Membership is open to all ACC member companies. Companies involved in the provision of hardware, software and IT and manufacturing control system products and services to the chemical industry may qualify for Affiliate membership. For more information on ChemITC, visit www.chemitc.com.