DHS Recognizes Manufacturing Sector as Key Partner


Written by Paul Kirvan on September 18, 2008 in Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, Emergency Response, Templates.

The US Department of Homeland Security has formally recognized the creation of the new Critical Manufacturing Sector Coordinating Council (CMSCC), which includes companies such as automakers, heavy equipment manufacturers and steel producers.

“Because of the unique operating and supply-chain challenges faced by manufacturers, we determined that a new sector council would best address the needs of companies that did not fit precisely within the original 17-sector structure,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “Critical manufacturers are important members of our national team that will help us develop plans and exchange information in order to achieve our common security goals in this vital sector.”

In 2003, Homeland Security Presidential Directive-7 (HSPD-7) established a national policy for identifying and protecting critical infrastructure and key resources. At that time, the directive identified 17 economic, industrial, and essential service sectors, but authorized the Secretary of Homeland Security to evaluate the need for new sectors as necessary.

Following HSPD-7, the DHS Secretary, with the support of the heads of key departments and agencies, issued the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) to provide a framework for accomplishing the mission of protecting critical infrastructure and key resources. The NIPP identified the individual sector coordinating councils (SCCs) as the principal forums for owners and operators of each of the 17 critical infrastructure and key resource sectors to work in partnership with government on a wide range of prevention, protection, and risk reduction activities and issues. Following the publication of the NIPP, DHS recognized 17 self-organized SCCs, one representing each of the 17 sectors.  Specific membership varies by sector, reflecting the unique composition of each.  The Critical Manufacturing Sector was designated as the 18th sector in April 2008 and is the first sector to be recognized through the exercise of the Secretary’s authority.

The current CMSCC membership includes:
* ArcelorMittal USA
* Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc.
* Caterpillar Inc.
* Chrysler LLC
* Deere & Company
* Ford Motor Company
* General Motors
* Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
* Kohler Company
* Navistar International Corporation
* United States Steel Corporation.

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The new BUSINESS CONTINUITY PROGRAM FOR MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION ON CD-ROM has some similarities to business continuity programs for other business environments – but many differences specific to manufacturing and distribution.

  • Have Critical Revenue-Generating Operations been Thoroughly Analyzed?
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  • Is Your Plan Limited to Information Technology Planning?
  • Do All Departments have Adequate Plans in Place?

If the answer to any of these questions is “no” or “unsure,” then this planning template can help!

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