Although it is evident that safe working environments and practices are implemented in most chemical and industrial plants, the recent growth in critical cyberinfrastructure has outpaced cyber security measures, leading to significant vulnerability to threats like viruses and hackers. To redress these vulnerabilities, it becomes imperative to outline the measures that can be taken to enhance cybersecurity. The threat of cybersecurity is indeed real: between 1999 and 2003, the number of reported incidents increased by approximately 1300%. One well-known example occurred in Australia, where a contractor installing a network led to the spill of millions of liters of sewage. Because threats are becoming more prolific as attackers proliferate, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) established the Control System Security and Test Center (CSSTC) to “identify, analyze, and eliminate vulnerabilities associated with the control systems in critical infrastructure applications.” Significant vulnerabilities include insufficient security outside the corporate Internet interface point and open ports for remote access of companies’ equipment. The chemical industry should be proactive about addressing these vulnerabilities to ensure the safety of the public, the environment, and workers.
