Infrastructure Security

During his State of the Union Address, President Obama unveiled an Executive Order (EO) and Presidential Policy Directive (PPD) to improve critical infrastructure cybersecurity . The EO and PPD come in the wake of two failed attempts by Congress to pass cybersecurity legislation, and are generally aimed at seeking to improve relationships across the federal

On June 22, 2011, the House Homeland Security Committee is expected to conduct a mark-up of HR 901, the Chemical Facilities Anti-Terrorism Security (CFATS) Authorization Act of 2011. HR 901 would reauthorize the CFATS program through FY 2018 without burdensome mandates of so-called “inherently safer technology” (IST).

A new virus specifically aimed at SCADA systems has been discovered. The virus works on the Microsoft platform, and Siemens’ SCADA software appears particularly vulnerable. Pipeline operators are encouraged to contact Microsoft, or Siemens, for advice on investigation and fixes. The Department of Homeland Security encourages all operators of SCADA systems to be vigilant in