Cyber Security Program in Europe

European Team Addresses Regulatory Activity Affecting Data Privacy

As part of the ChemITC strategy renewal process, an increasing need for coordination on global issues affecting the chemical industry was identified as an area of mounting significance for the Cyber Security Program. This will prove particularly important as chemical companies work to navigate the various regional and country-specific regulations that exist today and understand their impact on the global chemical industry.

The Cyber Security Program is already well organized to address emerging issues in the European region. Through its European Networking and Implementation Team, representatives from ChemITC member companies that operate in Europe have the opportunity to network with other company representatives and help address cyber security challenges relevant to the European community with more global applicability.

In June 2008, the European Networking and Implementation Team got together for their biannual in-person meeting in Wiesbaden, Germany. Hosted by Cytec Industries, the meeting complemented the team’s regular monthly teleconferences, allowing those in attendance to meet new members, connect with regular participants and continue building these important peer relationships.

The prime focus of the meeting was to review and finalize a guidance document that addresses European Union regulatory initiatives affecting data privacy which the team has been working on over the last year. The document is designed to give U.S. chemical companies an overview of data privacy regulations in the European Union and provide tips on how to set up a program with those regulations in mind. The next phase of this initiative – extending the project scope to help address data privacy regulation practices worldwide – is consistent with the CIOs' desire to understand the applicability of different regulations in other world areas on the chemical industry.

A key element of all European Networking and Implementation Team meetings is the sharing of experiences or issues of interest to the group. This time around, the team looked specifically at protecting intellectual assets from unauthorized use through digital rights and identity management. They also had an informative presentation from SAP about their Solutions Strategy for Chemicals.

With the data privacy guidance document nearing completion, the team has determined its new areas of focus for the year to come. In addition to expanding the scope of its data privacy project, the team will be looking at the new REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulations that came into force last year and will increasingly impact European chemical companies in the future.

The next European Networking and Implementation Team face-to-face meeting will be hosted by Dow in Antwerp, Belgium sometime this fall. ChemITC members in Europe as well as U.S.-based members with global roles are invited to attend. More details will be available soon.

The team also welcomes new members to share their experiences during its monthly conference calls and participate in the development of valuable work products like the data privacy guidance document. Whether you are a chemical company member with European operations or an Affiliate member with expertise in the European region, we hope you take advantage of this opportunity to network with industry peers and examine solutions to cyber security issues within the global chemical sector.

For more information, please visit www.chemicalcybersecurity.com or contact us at cybersecurity@chemitc.com.