Beyond Airports, TSA Also Manages Pipeline Security That Could Be A Problem keranews.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from keranews.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
UpdatedTue, May 18, 2021 at 8:14 pm ET
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What was once Sanford Lake in mid-Michigan is pictured Tuesday. Wednesday marks one year since two dams failed, causing widespread flooding and the emptying of Sanford Lake. (Photo courtesy of Will Wood. )
SANFORD, MI When Will Wood was a child, he d look out the front window of his childhood house and see small waves forming on Sanford Lake. He d watch as the water would rise up and crash down on itself repeatedly.
There are memories of riding on pontoon boats, jet skis and swimming. What was essentially his front yard when growing up was a decent-sized lake, offering endless opportunities for summer fun and entertainment.
Image credit: Mike Stewart
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The recent Colonial Pipeline hack created shortages and panic-buying of gasoline, and also raised questions about federal oversight of critical energy infrastructure.
It may come as a surprise to learn that the Transportation Security Administration, whose officers screen luggage and carry-ons at airport check-in gates, also has responsibility for the cybersecurity of energy pipelines.
“This dates back to the 9/11 era when Congress created TSA,” said Robert Knake, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. “They also gave TSA responsibility for pipelines and for surface transportation.”
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The recent Colonial Pipeline hack created shortages and panic-buying of gasoline, and also raised questions about federal oversight of critical energy infrastructure.
It may come as a surprise to learn that the Transportation Security Administration, whose officers screen luggage and carry-ons at airport check-in gates, also has responsibility for the cybersecurity of energy pipelines. This dates back to the 9/11 era when Congress created TSA, said Robert Knake, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. They also gave TSA responsibility for pipelines and for surface transportation.
But the TSA s pipeline cybersecurity responsibilities were overlooked even within the agency. A 2018 report by the Government Accountability Office found what it labeled significant weaknesses in TSA s management of pipeline security. It noted that there were only six positions focused on the nation s 2.7 million miles of pipelines.