AGA board passes resolution to support reasonable cybersecurity regulations

The American Gas Association’s Board of Directors passed a resolution in support of reasonable cybersecurity regulations.

The AGA supports regulations that would allow risk-based methodology; support a framework organized by the function’s identity, protect, detect, respond and recover; permit operator flexibility to pivot to a constantly evolving cyber threat landscape; and align with natural gas industry cybersecurity guidelines and standards for operational technology.

These recommendations are the next step in the evolution of AGA’s Commitment to Cyber and Physical Security, which was developed to ensure that natural gas pipeline infrastructure remains resilient to cyber and physical security threats.

“AGA members take their cybersecurity responsibility seriously and clearly recognize how their vigilance contributes to ensuring the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas,” AGA President and CEO Karen Harbert said. “While AGA and its members have made significant progress in maturing cybersecurity efforts, the cybersecurity landscape has grown more complex, and malicious actors have increased their attacks on our industry. Reasonable regulations on the natural gas operational technology systems which are consistent with the NIST (National Institutes of Standards and Technology) Cybersecurity Framework make sense. Right now, industry and government need to remain laser-focused on our common mission: working faster and smarter than our adversaries.”

Additionally, the AGA Board of Directors passed an expanded AGA Commitment to Enhancing Safety, Environmental Stewardship, and Security. This commitment builds on AGA’s Commitment to Enhancing Safety, which was first adopted in 2011.

“Not a day goes by that AGA’s members are not proactively advancing safety and security,” Harbert added. “From continually replacing pipelines to participating in AGA’s Peer Review Program, companies are dedicated to ensuring Americans have the energy they need while keeping communities, customers, and employees safe. Today’s Board resolution underscores just how committed these companies are to the safe and reliable delivery of clean energy to American’s homes and businesses.”