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APGA staff and members have been meeting with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), whose Pipeline Security Program is focused on enhancing the security preparedness of natural gas pipeline systems. Through this series of virtual meetings, knowledge has been shared to inform TSA personnel of the variety of security challenges that owners and operators face along the natural gas supply chain. Conversation topics have been multi-factor authentication, patching, and appropriate segmentation between operational technology and information technology systems.

Much of the discussion is informed by the concerns with the Pipeline Security Directives that were issued last year. These are temporary, but expectation is they will be renewed. Plus, permanent regulations will likely follow. While the operators required to comply with future policies is not known at this time, the industry will be looking at any issuance from TSA as a possible requirement, if not now, in the future. Engagement with TSA, now, as they are thinking about rulemakings is important and ensures the regulators understand the perspective of public natural gas utilities. More conversations are planned with TSA, and APGA staff will inform the Security Task Group of the outcomes of this.

For questions on this article, please contact Stuart Saulters of APGA staff by phone at 202-544-1334 or by email at ssaulters@apga.org.