Chemical Sector Security Summit Update – 7-27-23

Today, I received an interesting email from chemicalsummitreg@hq.dhs.gov about my recent registration for the 2023 Chemical Sector Security Summit. Apparently, some of the automated response emails for registration confirmations have not reached registrants. Lots of good information in the email. If you registered and have not received either this email or the original confirmation email, you should contact them at the above email address.

Bad News for Remote Attendees

The email (and the CSSS website) contain a link to the Preliminary Agenda for the CSSS. The following items on the agenda will not be available to remote attendees:

Day 1 – 8-29-23

Speed Meet the Experts

Day 2 – 8-30-23

Multilayered Approach to Combating the Acquisition of Bomb-Making Materials,

CFATS Tiering Methodology,

CFATS Cyber and Physical Security Best Practices,

ChemLock: On-Site Assessment Case Study,

Cyber Threats Facing the Chemical Sector, and

Federal Expo,

Day 3 – 8-31-23

Cyber Regulations at Chemical Facilities, and

CISA’s Regional Footprint

Most of these are part of ‘breakout sessions’ where two sessions are held at the same time. In person attendees get to choose which sessions they will attend. Those of us who will be attending remotely are having that choice made by the DHS organizers. I would have made different choices (may be, it would depend on who is presenting, and that info is not yet available), but someone at DHS has to make this decision, so I will not argue with them. If you really want to see one of the above presentations, attend in person.

NOTE: As I write this the Congressional Record for yesterday has not yet been printed, so I still do not know if the Senate passed HR 4470, the CFATS extension bill. If the program is not extended, much of the above agenda will obviously change.