Chemicals Sector Cyber-Security Practices, Standards, and Technology Initiative

Chemicals Sector Launches Cyber-Security Practices, Standards and Technology Initiative under CIDX

Arlington, VA, USA. January 07, 2003.

The Chemical Industry Data Exchange (CIDX) and the Chemicals Sector Cyber-Security Information Sharing Forum today launched the Chemicals Sector Cyber-Security Practices, Standards and Technology Initiative. The Practices, Standards and Technology Initiative will be implemented by a newly formed business unit within CIDX focused specifically on cyber-security.

Operating in parallel to the existing XML unit with a shared support and leadership structure, the cyber-security business unit will build on CIDX's strategic mission - to improve the ease, speed and cost of transacting business electronically between chemical companies and their trading partners. The newly created business unit will be charged with identifying immediate opportunities to improve the base level of cyber-security performance within the industry.

The cyber-security business unit assumes responsibility for two elements of the Chemicals Sector Cyber-Security Program: establishing sector practices and standards and encouraging acceleration of improved security technology and solutions development. Consisting of 10 chemical industry trade associations representing more than 2,000 companies, the Chemicals Sector Cyber-Security Information Sharing Forum was created in early 2002 to implement the industry-wide cyber-security Program.

"The Cyber-Security Practices, Standards and Technology Initiative will leverage the CIDX infrastructure, its experience implementing global e-business standards and its position as a `voice of the industry' for the chemicals sector to drive a rapid and unified response to the critical issue of cyber-security," said Patricia Simmons, CIDX executive director and member of the Chemicals Sector Cyber-Security Program Implementation Team.

"Through our preliminary work, we have identified a substantial body of cyber-security practices and standards that already exist. Our focus moving forward will be to establish industry consensus and drive implementation of the mutually agreed-upon standards."

With the Cyber-Security Practices, Standards and Technology Initiative in place under CIDX, the next step is to move implementation from the planning to execution phase. An organizational meeting is scheduled for Feb. 4-5, 2003 at the Wyndham Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel in Baltimore, MD. The meeting will provide an overview of work completed to date, develop future goals and establish an action plan.

Success of the Practices, Standards and Technology Initiative depends heavily on the work of member volunteers. Membership is open to all participants in the global chemicals sector value chain. Some projects currently underway include:

Development of cyber-security guidance documentation
Development of guidance for addressing cyber-security as part of an overall site vulnerability assessment
Development of process control security practices and standards
Implementation of a voluntary benchmarking of industry participants' current cyber-security management practices
Development of a vendor partnership program with key cyber-security solution providers
Implementation of a proactive industry outreach to generate awareness, understanding and participation in this global chemicals sector initiative

For more information, or to register for the launch meeting on Feb. 4-5, 2003, visit the CIDX Web site at www.cidx.org.

About CIDX

CIDX is a global trade association and standards body whose mission is to improve electronic connectivity between chemical companies and their trading partners and support the improvement of cyber-security within the global chemical sector. Through the collaborative effort of more than 80 chemical industry leaders from around the world including chemical producers, suppliers, marketplaces and industry consultants, CIDX built the XML-based Chem eStandards to carry out highly secure transactions with suppliers and customers over the Internet. The Chemical Industry Data Exchange uses the trademarks CIDX and Chem eStandards.

About the Chemicals Sector Cyber-Security Program

The Chemicals Sector Cyber-Security Program calls for leveraging collective knowledge, shared technology and practices development to enhance cyber-security throughout the chemicals sector value chain to help protect people, property, products, processes, information and information systems. The Program includes five key initiatives: fostering involvement and commitment across the sector; establishing a program to advocate the establishment of sector practices and policies; establishing voluntary sector practices and standards; establishing an information sharing network; and encouraging acceleration of improved security technology and solutions development.

Contact

For editorial information regarding the Chemicals Sector Cyber-Security Program:
Gibbs & Soell, Inc.
Gina Borgman
Tel: +1 847/519-9150
Email: gborgman@gibbs-soell.com

Prepared by Robin Cover for The XML Cover Pages archive. See also: (1) Chemicals Sector Cyber-Security Program; (2) "XML-Based 'Chem eStandard' for the Chemical Industry."

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The Practices, Standards and Technology Initiative will be implemented by a newly formed business unit within CIDX focused specifically on cyber-security. Operating in parallel to the existing XML unit with a shared support and leadership structure, the cyber-security business unit will build on CIDX's strategic mission - to improve the ease, speed and cost of transacting business electronically between chemical companies and their trading partners. The newly created business unit will be charged with identifying immediate opportunities to improve the base level of cyber-security performance within the industry. The cyber-security business unit assumes responsibility for two elements of the Chemicals Sector Cyber-Security Program: establishing sector practices and standards and encouraging acceleration of improved security technology and solutions development. Consisting of 10 chemical industry trade associations representing more than 2,000 companies, the Chemicals Sector Cyber-Security Information Sharing Forum was created in early 2002 to implement the industry-wide cyber-security Program. "The Cyber-Security Practices, Standards and Technology Initiative will leverage the CIDX infrastructure, its experience implementing global e-business standards and its position as a `voice of the industry' for the chemicals sector to drive a rapid and unified response to the critical issue of cyber-security," said Patricia Simmons, CIDX executive director and member of the Chemicals Sector Cyber-Security Program Implementation Team. "Through our preliminary work, we have identified a substantial body of cyber-security practices and standards that already exist. Our focus moving forward will be to establish industry consensus and drive implementation of the mutually agreed-upon standards." With the Cyber-Security Practices, Standards and Technology Initiative in place under CIDX, the next step is to move implementation from the planning to execution phase. An organizational meeting is scheduled for Feb. 4-5, 2003 at the Wyndham Baltimore Inner Harbor Hotel in Baltimore, MD. The meeting will provide an overview of work completed to date, develop future goals and establish an action plan. Success of the Practices, Standards and Technology Initiative depends heavily on the work of member volunteers. Membership is open to all participants in the global chemicals sector value chain. Some projects currently underway include: Development of cyber-security guidance documentation Development of guidance for addressing cyber-security as part of an overall site vulnerability assessment Development of process control security practices and standards Implementation of a voluntary benchmarking of industry participants' current cyber-security management practices Development of a vendor partnership program with key cyber-security solution providers Implementation of a proactive industry outreach to generate awareness, understanding and participation in this global chemicals sector initiative For more information, or to register for the launch meeting on Feb. 4-5, 2003, visit the CIDX Web site at www.cidx.org. About CIDX CIDX is a global trade association and standards body whose mission is to improve electronic connectivity between chemical companies and their trading partners and support the improvement of cyber-security within the global chemical sector. Through the collaborative effort of more than 80 chemical industry leaders from around the world including chemical producers, suppliers, marketplaces and industry consultants, CIDX built the XML-based Chem eStandards to carry out highly secure transactions with suppliers and customers over the Internet. The Chemical Industry Data Exchange uses the trademarks CIDX and Chem eStandards. About the Chemicals Sector Cyber-Security Program The Chemicals Sector Cyber-Security Program calls for leveraging collective knowledge, shared technology and practices development to enhance cyber-security throughout the chemicals sector value chain to help protect people, property, products, processes, information and information systems. The Program includes five key initiatives: fostering involvement and commitment across the sector; establishing a program to advocate the establishment of sector practices and policies; establishing voluntary sector practices and standards; establishing an information sharing network; and encouraging acceleration of improved security technology and solutions development. Contact For editorial information regarding the Chemicals Sector Cyber-Security Program: Gibbs & Soell, Inc. Gina Borgman Tel: +1 847/519-9150 Email: gborgman@gibbs-soell.com Prepared by Robin Cover for The XML Cover Pages archive. See also: (1) Chemicals Sector Cyber-Security Program; (2) "XML-Based 'Chem eStandard' for the Chemical Industry."