November 28, 2023 at 05:50PM
CISA has highlighted a national security risk following the expiration of the CFATS program, which regulated security at chemical facilities to prevent terrorism. With CFATS lapsed since July, CISA notes increased danger as facilities may acquire dangerous chemicals without adequate security measures, and potential terrorist ties may go unchecked.
Meeting Takeaways:
1. **CFATS Program Expiry Concerns**:
– Kelly Murray from CISA highlighted the significant national security risks due to the expiry of the CFATS program, emphasizing the program’s importance in mitigating terrorist threats to chemical facilities.
2. **Increased Risk with Program Lapse**:
– Since the lapse of the CFATS program four months ago, new facilities likely acquired dangerous chemicals, and existing facilities might be storing these chemicals in quantities that exceed their security measures, increasing the risk for exploitation by terrorists.
3. **Identification of High-Risk Facilities**:
– Over 40,000 facilities were screened under CFATS, marking 3,200 as high-risk, and with the program’s absence, an estimated 200 new facilities are at risk, along with unidentified security gaps in existing ones.
4. **Gap in Terrorist Screening**:
– CFATS facilitated the screening of facility personnel against the Terrorist Screening Database. With the program inactive, an estimated 36,000 names over four months were not vetted, potentially missing individuals with terrorist connections trying to access dangerous chemicals.
5. **Improvements in Security Postures Hindered**:
– Under CFATS, CISA assisted in improving security for identified high-risk facilities, with a historical improvement rate around 60%. The lack of CISA’s guidance and oversight since July could mean hundreds of security gaps have been left unidentified and unaddressed.
6. **Evolving Threat Landscape and CFATS Role**:
– The program is critical in helping the chemical industry stay ahead of both physical and cyber threats. Planned updates to the program to enhance cybersecurity measures are now stalled due to the expiration of the program’s authority.
7. **Urgent Recommendation**:
– Murray’s communication strongly advocated for the reinstatement of CFATS by Congress, indicating that the reinstatement is a vital security measure that cannot be delayed or overlooked to protect against potential terrorist threats.
Action Item:
– A key action for policymakers following these insights from Murray is to consider the urgent reinstatement of the CFATS program to mitigate the highlighted security risks within the chemicals sector.