by jbs112409 i3 — November 30, 2009—U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano on November 17 hosted the first in a series of roundtable meetings with private sector leaders to discuss critical infrastructure security and unveiled a new Web site designed to inform the public about the Department’s critical infrastructure protection, readiness and resiliency efforts–part of her increased effort to heighten awareness about the importance of protecting America’s vital assets, systems and networks over the coming weeks.
According to DHS, critical infrastructure and key resources (CIKR) include physical and digital assets, systems and networks that play significant roles in America’s safety, economy and public health. Their incapacitation or destruction could debilitate the overall stability of the United States and threaten national security.
Secretary Napolitano is conducting meetings with leaders from the Sector Coordinating Councils (largely drawn from the private sector) of the energy, nuclear, water, chemical, public health, transportation, government facilities, information technology, communications, postal and shipping, national monuments and icons, manufacturing, and agriculture and food, emergency services, and defense industrial base sectors, among others.
During the first meeting, Secretary Napolitano highlighted her commitment to ensuring a more ready and resilient national approach to critical infrastructure protection–promoting vigilance, preparedness and risk reduction.
Secretary Napolitano also unveiled a new Critical Infrastructure Protection Web site designed to provide stakeholders and the public with easily accessible information about their role in safeguarding critical infrastructure and key resources (CIKR).
The Web site features a link to the new CIKR Resource Center, which includes information about how to sign up for free Web-based seminars on the tools, trends, issues and best practices for infrastructure protection and resilience; resources concerning potential vulnerabilities for chemical facilities; and details about the National Response Framework, which outlines guidance for all response partners to prepare for and provide a unified response to disasters and emergencies.
