CHEMICAL CYBERATTACK AWARENESS

ABOUT

The American public never receives information about the vast majority of cyberattacks against U.S. industrial systems that control the operations of refineries, pipelines power plants, chemical plants and other factories. These incidents are classified by the FBI and other agencies, and kept secret by U.S. companies unless a breach involves the theft of personal identifying information.  In some cases, even companies are kept in the dark by the government about attacks on their systems.  The lack of disclosure keeps the pressure off federal officials and companies to make changes needed to better protect computer networks and industrial controls.  This CREU research project addresses the issues of cyberattacks awareness at chemical facilities.  We will specifically investigate how local and state departments are increasing preparation for and notification of cyberattacks on their chemical facilities.