YOUR NATURAL GAS IS NOT CYBER-SECURE: A TWO-FOLD CASE FOR WHY VOLUNTARY NATURAL GAS PIPELINE CYBERSECURITY GUIDELINES SHOULD BECOME MANDATORY REGULATIONS OVERSEEN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Abstract: In the past two decades, the United States has increased the
production and use of natural gas to fuel every day American life.
This increase has resulted in the construction of millions of miles of
natural gas pipelines. While this development has produced a
number of benefits, natural gas pipelines have introduced the threat
of cyberattacks on natural gas infrastructure. This substantial threat
is currently managed by voluntary guidelines promulgated by the
Transportation Security Administration (“TSA”). While the private
industry is satisfied to maintain the status quo and leave these
threats essentially self-regulated, voluntary guidelines are not
sufficient to defend against the cybersecurity threats posed to
natural gas pipelines. This Recent Development proposes that
cybersecurity standards should become mandatory and that the
Department of Energy, not TSA, is the proper agency to promulgate
mandatory cybersecurity regulations.
Author: Madeline A Labovitz
PDF: //ncjolt.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/04/Labovitz-Final.pdf
Volume: Volume 21, Issue 3