API Supports ONG-ISAC

The American Petroleum Institute expressed its support for the new Oil and Natural Gas Information Sharing and Analysis Center, which will help protect infrastructure from cyber-attacks.

While API helped form the center, it will exist as an independent organization to facilitate the exchange of information, help evaluate risks, and provide up-to-date security guidance to U.S. companies.

“Computer-based attacks are one of the fastest-growing threats to American businesses and infrastructure,” said API Vice President Kyle Isakower. “The center builds on existing programs to help companies quickly identify and respond to threats against energy production and distribution systems such as refineries and pipelines and stay connected with law enforcement agencies,” he adds.

An industry-owned and operated organization, the ONG-ISAC will be structured similar to other industry ISACs in order to:

• Allow participants to submit incidents either anonymously or with attribution via a secure web portal;
• Circulate information on threats and vulnerabilities among ONG-ISAC members, other ISACs, vendors, and the U.S. government;
• Provide industry participants with access to cyber security experts;
• Alert participants of cyber threats deemed ‘Urgent’ or ‘Elevated’ in near real-time; and,
• Coordinate industry-wide responses to computer-based attacks.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the ONG-ISAC will serve as a central hub for the rapid collection and distribution of intelligence on cyber threats against U.S. energy networks.

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Press Release, June 27, 2014; Image: API