The 2017 Chemical Sector Security Summit took place in Houston last week. The event was co-sponsored by DHS and the Chemical Sector Coordinating Council, and the summit is all about sharing best practices related to chemical sites and their security.
Speakers discussed that terrorists are seeking out and using chemicals such as those created throughout the Houston area at chemical facilities and oil refineries. Officials stated they’re using chemicals in improvised explosive devices, among other things.
The goal of chemical plants is to always stay one step ahead in security and to understand potential risks involved, according to Gary Scheibe, security manager at Shell Deer Park refinery in Deer Park, Texas.
Security experts said that building a global culture of chemical security is the key to keeping chemicals out of the hands of those with ill intent.
Experts say that it makes both good economic and security sense for chemical plants to focus on having high security standards.
Source: VOA News, “Government, Industry Officials Call for Global Culture of Chemical Security,” by Elizabeth Lee, July 28, 2017