Cybersecurity

In late July, Congress allowed a valuable program that enhances security at chemical facilities across the country to expire. The program is called the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS), and its primary mission is to protect chemical facilities from potential terror threats by addressing a wide range of possible vulnerabilities, including cyberattacks.

This week, AFPM joined API and industry associations representing fuel retailers, gasoline marketers, convenience stores and tank truck carriers to field questions from the media about the ongoing fuel distribution challenges resulting from the Colonial Pipeline shutdown.

“Information security is the immune system in the body of business.” This cybersecurity saying has gained new weight in 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic reinforcing the need for cybersecurity to be robust, flexible and agile—just like a healthy immune system.

Though it is largely unseen, cybersecurity permeates most, if not all, aspects of fuel and petrochemical manufacturing, ensuring our industries can function efficiently and without disruption.

There aren’t many production facilities in the country more secure than refineries. Leaders in the fuel and petrochemical industries pride themselves on workplace safety and security, which is evident based on even a cursory glance at any AFPM member’s annual security report.

In the USA, Friday, May 25 will be the start of the Memorial Day weekend. Traffic, BBQ’s, opening of swimming pools, remembrances, and other events will highlight the weekend.

As I write this in the early afternoon of Monday, May 15, I just finished reading the latest bulletin from DHS on WannaCry, the ransomware virus that has become a lead news story since the weekend.

Last month I, along with 40,000 other people, attended the annual RSA Conference in San Francisco. 

In today’s world of cyber attacks against companies, the idea of sharing information between companies on cyber developments and incidents is becoming more critical.