The chemical sector is set to take up the 100-day cyber sprint proposed by President Biden to sharpen the industry’s focus on the topic.
According to Cyberscoop, the sprint is designed to sharpen chemical operators’ focus on the most significant risks from a cyber attack such as gas leaks and other contaminations.
The sprint also aims to boost information sharing and ‘analytical coordination’ between the public and private sector as well as encouraging chemical manufacturers to deploy cyber threat detection on control systems.
Cyberscoop noted that the sprints were first launched as a pilot with the electric sector in April 2021 and followed up with the pipeline, water and railway sectors.
Biden’s memorandum on improving critical infrastructure control systems codified the exercises and amounted to a rare moment for the White House to acknowledge industrial control cybersecurity.
CISA and the Environmental Protection Agency have also developed a roadmap aimed at addressing the varying levels of cyber defenses within the water sector as a result of the 100-day sprint.
The Transportation Security Administration recently issued a new directive to improve the cybersecurity of railroad operations in the US.
According to Security Week, the new directive is part of the White House’s efforts to strengthen critical infrastructure cybersecurity. The requirements highlighted in the directive are aimed at passenger and freight railroad carriers designated by the TSA.
Elsewhere, US National Cyber Director Chris Inglis recently defended the country’s soon-to-be-released national cybersecurity strategy, with many expecting pushback from industry.
According to Cyberscoop, industry pushback could be expected due to the fact the document is set to expand the government’s role in protecting the nation’s digital infrastructure.
The publication said that early reports suggest the strategy is ‘far more demanding’ of industry than previous efforts. Inglis said that while tough, the strategy also highlights his desire to ratchet up regulation with “the lightest possible touch.”
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