The first entry I wrote for this blog back in April 2010 was entitled “The Chemical Security Conversation” begins -- and what a conversation it’s been. I hope that we have been able to provide you with relevant news and information and maybe shed some light on a complex topic. Since that first blog we have seen an increase in attention from the industry and more people than ever are talking about chemical security issues.  As with all good conversations this one has evolved as has my own involvement with chemical manufacturers/facilities and industry organizations.  That most precious and finite of resources – time – has become increasingly limited for me and my team.  So, unfortunately after much thought I ‘ve decided that this will be my last blog. It doesn’t mean the conservation ends. It just means it takes a new course and format.  

For this last blog I wanted to focus on some of the highlights of the last two plus years.

The House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies recently held a hearing entitled “Securing Ammonium Nitrate: Using Lessons Learned in Afghanistan to Protect the Homeland from IEDs.”

Although the hearing was a closed session due to the sensitive nature of the information contained in the testimony, written witnesses statements were released publicly. Among the testifying witnesses was Mr. John P. Woods, Assistant Director, Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

At the 2012 Chemical Sector Security Summit, David Wulf, Director, Infrastructure Security Compliance Division (ISCD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provided an ISCD regulatory update.

Mr. Wulf began by reviewing the current status of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program, noting that in the 5 years since the inception of the program, ISCD has developed a comprehensive picture of the nation’s chemical infrastructure and identified the “highest-risk” chemical facilities. To date, ISCD has received over 43,000 Top-Screens, 7,300 Security Vulnerability Assessments, conducted over 3,000 outreach visits, and preliminarily approved 63 Site Security Plans (SSPs)

At the 2012 Chemical Sector Security Summit I had the opportunity to attend the Theft and Diversion breakout session, which explored various chemical theft and diversion schemes as well as some of the measures companies are implementing to mitigate chemical theft and diversion. The Theft and Diversion panelists included Christina Hubert, Intelligence Analyst, Office of Intelligence and Analysis, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Ron Razzolini, Corporate Director of Security, PVS Chemicals, and Chris Gibson, EHS&R Manager, Hawkins, Inc.

Ms. Hubert opened the session by comparing two different cases of recent “lone wolf” terrorist attempting to obtain chemicals to use in an attack.

On the second day of the 2012 Chemical Sector Security Summit I attended a session on personnel surety. Panel members included Jim Orgill, Security Specialist, Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC™) Management Office, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and  Mathew Bettridge, Deputy Branch Chief, Policy and Programs, Infrastructure Security Compliance Division (ISCD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Mr. Orgill first discussed the status of the TWIC program.  He noted that over 850,000 TWICs will expire by the end of 2013, and TSA expects the number of TWIC renewals to spike from the current average of 20,000 – 25,000 card issuances per month. As a result, he emphasized the importance of considering TSA’s new Extended Expiration Date (EED) TWIC as an option for renewal.

On the first day of the Summit, I had the opportunity to moderate a breakout session entitled “Potential Threat Actors’ Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures.” Panel members included Timothy Scott, Chief Security Officer, Dow Chemical, Clyde Miller, Director of Corporate Security, BASF, and Scott McDougall, Intelligence Analyst, Office of Intelligence and Analysis, Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Mr. Scott opened the session by discussing some of the security challenges companies with global operations face today. In addition to maintaining robust physical security at all international locations, he emphasized the importance of ensuring a secure global supply chain. Mr. Scott explained programs such as the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) have helped mitigate some of threats inherent to the global chemical supply chain.

Last week I was able to attend the 2012 Chemical Sector Security Summit (Summit) in Baltimore, Maryland. The Summit, which is co-funded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA), is one of the largest annual gatherings of chemical security professionals. 

In her opening remarks, Suzanne Spaulding, Deputy Under Secretary, National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD), DHS, discussed some of the current cyber security risks facing industry, stressing the need for industry to take a holistic approach to security that includes both cyber and physical protective measures. She noted that DHS is here as a partner to industry, and cooperation and collaboration is essential to ensuring a safe and secure homeland.

The House Committee on Homeland Security recently passed, by voice vote, H.R. 4251, the Securing Maritime Activities through Risk-Based Targeting for Port Security Act, or the SMART Port Security Act. The bill, originally introduced in March by Representative Candice Mille (R-Mich.), would reauthorize and update certain provisions of the SAFE Port Act of 2006 and generally enhance global supply chain security and coordination. Specifically, it would

•    Allow the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to recognize other countries’ trusted-shipper programs and the U.S. Coast Guard to recognize other countries’ port security threat assessments;

•    Direct DHS to issue several reports on improving port security and identifying potential cost-saving strategies;

I recently obtained a copy of the Agricultural, Chemical, and Petroleum Industry Terrorism Handbook (Handbook) published by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Justice (DOJ). In developing the chemical security Handbook, the FBI collaborated with a number of private entities and trade organizations, including the American Petroleum Institute (API), the American Chemistry Council (ACC), the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA), and the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD), among others.  

The Handbook is a valuable resource for chemical and petro-chemical industry stakeholders that can help assist in identifying, preventing, and responding to terrorist attacks, security incidents and threats. It provides a chemical industry-specific threat overview, describes the National Response Framework (NRF), explains how to identify triggers, and gives guidance on the law enforcement communication process and information sharing.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it will be hosting its sixth annual Chemical Sector Security Summit in Baltimore, Maryland July 31 – August 1, 2012. The Summit – which is co-funded by the DHS National Protection & Programs Directorate’s Office of Infrastructure Protection (NPPD/IP) and SOCMA (Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates)  is a must attend event for security professionals and anyone with security responsibilities in the chemical sector.

It is an excellent forum to exchange information and best practices, learn the latest on chemical security regulations, and meet and interact with DHS and law enforcement officials. The 2011 Summit drew a record attendance of over 500 stakeholders and we expect this year’s Summit to be even bigger. As with years past, the Summit will have an early registration day and welcome reception on Monday, July 30. Note that DHS will no longer be holding demos and workshops for a full day following the Summit.