On Tuesday, August 18, I’ll be joining another expert in chemical security for a webinar panel to present the latest updates on CFATS and MTSA. In this discussion, moderated by Traci Purdum, Senior Editor of ChemicalProcessing.com, I’ll be speaking alongside Steve Roberts, chemical security attorney from the Roberts Law Group. During the webinar we’ll field questions and share insights from first-hand experiences in assisting companies with compliance at many Tier 1-4 CFATS sites, as well as MTSA sites. Of course the information provided will be non- CVI or SVI.

During the 2011 Chemical Sector Security Summit, I also had the chance to attend the “CVI – Do’s and Don’ts” session presented by Matthew Bettridge, Deputy Branch Chief for Policy & Programs Branch, Infrastructure Security Compliance Division, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Mr. Bettridge first provided an overview of the Chemical-Terrorism Vulnerability Information (CVI) program and also offered examples of what is, and what is not CVI.

While in Baltimore for the Chemical Sector Security Summit, I participated in a number of sessions focused on new and emerging terrorist threats. Much of the programming was obviously focused on threats involving the use of commercial chemicals. But on the five year anniversary of the 7/7 London subway bombing, experts from the FBI and DHS also talked about recent terrorist attempts we’ve seen involving explosives in high traffic transit areas.

While at the 2011 Chemical Sector Security Summit, I had the opportunity to attend the “Staying Afloat with Coast Guard Regulations” breakout session. In the session, Captain Kevin Kiefer, Chief, Port & Facilities Activities for the United States Coast Guard (USCG) discussed various updates to the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) and related programs.