Short Takes – 4-29-24

Establishment of the Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security Board. Federal Register DHS notice. Summary: “Pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14110 [link added], Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence, dated October 30, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security, through the Office of Partnership and Engagement, has established the Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security Board (the Board). The Board will provide the Secretary of Homeland Security (hereinafter referred to as “the Secretary”) information, advice, and recommendations to advance the security and resilience of our nation's critical infrastructure in its use of artificial intelligence (AI). This Notice is not a solicitation for membership.”

Pipeline Safety: Periodic Updates of Regulatory References to Technical Standards and Miscellaneous Amendments. Federal Register PHMSA final rule. Summary: “PHMSA is amending the Federal pipeline safety regulations (PSRs) to incorporate by reference all or parts of more than 20 new or updated voluntary, consensus industry technical standards. This action allows pipeline operators to use current technologies, improved materials, and updated industry and management practices. Additionally, PHMSA is clarifying certain regulatory provisions and making several editorial corrections.” Effective date June 28^th, 2024.

Bird flu in US cows: is the milk supply safe? Nature.com article. Pull quote: “When Nature asked when to expect more evidence on whether pasteurization kills H5N1, Janell Goodwin, public-affairs specialist at the FDA in Silver Spring, Maryland, said that the agency and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) “are working closely to collect and evaluate additional data and information specific to” H5N1.”

With U.S. aid resumed, Ukraine will try to dig itself out of trouble. WashingtonPost.com article. Pull quote: “Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday announced the administration’s intent to contract $6 billion in arms for Ukraine, including Patriot air-defense missiles and counter-drone systems — a tranche of vitally needed arms, he said, but one that could take months if not years to produce. The administration has employed a two-tiered approach to helping Ukraine: one entails the immediate drawdown and transfer of existing U.S. military stockpiles; the other is aimed at long-term sustainment through purchase orders for weapons and ammunition.”

Opinion: America’s small-town water systems are global cyber targets. Is your city next? CNN.com commentary. Pull quote: “If we really want to help water utilities defend against cyber threats, we have to close the resource gap. Protecting your personal information in your water bill is important, but so is protecting your actual water. That means cybersecurity must protect operational technology and not just data systems. And costs for cybersecurity investment need to be recoverable through local government budget setting processes.”