AGA improves gas infrastructure security with voluntary action commitments

Members of the American Gas Association (AGA) recently published a document detailing their commitment to the maintenance of high standards for cyber and physical security in order to protect the U.S. natural gas pipeline infrastructure from various threats.

The AGA Commitment to Cyber and Physical Security outlines the voluntary security actions of AGA and its members. The publication includes four areas of action: identification, protection, detection, and response/recovery.

“At AGA, security awareness is part of our culture and daily practice,” Christina Sames, vice president of Engineering and Operations at AGA, said. “Through public/private partnerships with federal, state, and local governments, we are able to remain vigilant and strengthen our offensive security posture, helping ensure the continued safe and reliable delivery of natural gas to our customers.”

The natural gas infrastructure in the United States encompasses 2.5 million miles of pipelines, spanning all 50 states, with each region’s geography providing unique operating challenges.

In order to remain dedicated to boosting resiliency of the infrastructure, AGA members have adopted a number of voluntary actions, including the TSA Pipeline Security Guidelines, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity. Members are also engaging with information-sharing resources, including the Downstream Natural Gas Information Sharing and Analysis Center, which will be available to AGA members by 2017.