GAO Publishes Report on Chemical Plant Personnel Screening

Today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) announced the publication of their report on “Chemical Security: DHS Should Provide Options for Voluntary Vetting of Facility Personnel for Terrorist Ties”. GAO was asked to evaluate the effects of the end of the CFATS program in 2023 and the decline in CISA chemical security staffing since 2025 on chemical facility security.  

The report noted that (pg 5): 

“According to CISA officials and representatives from the private sector coordinating council, the three selected chemical associations, and the six selected chemical companies we interviewed, losing the Personnel Surety Program is the most significant challenge high-risk chemical facility owners and operators have faced following the discontinuation of the CFATS program. CISA officials also stated that discontinuing the Personnel Surety Program left a gap in chemical facility security that poses significant risks.” 

The Report made one recommendation (pg 16): 

“Identify, evaluate, and implement voluntary options for chemical facility owners and operators to address insider terrorist security risks by vetting their personnel and unescorted visitors with access to restricted areas or critical assets, and, if necessary, seek the legislative authority to do so.” 

The official CISA response to the recommendation (pg 16): 

“The voluntary collection and handling of sensitive personal information necessary to conduct such vetting would raise significant legal, privacy, compliance, and resource considerations. These considerations include proper collection, use, maintenance, and protection of sensitive personal information necessary to support such activities, as well as requirements associated with safeguarding personal data and providing appropriate redress”