NCMS Launches New Program Designed to Enhance Security of Manufacturers’ Critical Infrastructures

** Free email magazine provided to NCMS partners
** Web resources provide access to best practices, expertise 

What is the NCMS InfraGard Manufacturing Industry Association?

The National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS) and the National Infrastructure Protection Center’s (NIPC) InfraGard Program have established the first InfraGard Industry Association. The mission of the newly formed NCMS InfraGard Manufacturing Industry Association (IMIA) is to create a proactive alliance and a resource for manufacturers and their supply chain partners who share a common interest in improving their ability to defend the integrity of their infrastructure systems and their collaboration environments. The IMIA program will communicate and provide access to advancements and best practices that address critical infrastructure risks, as well as opportunities, for the manufacturing sector.

How Do I Benefit?

The NCMS InfraGard Manufacturing Industry Association features a new FREE monthly email magazine “Mfg.Trust” and the informative web site (http://trust.ncms.org) for all NCMS alliance partners. These resources are focused on the practical needs of operational-level manufacturers. IMIA will provide you and your employees with access to advancements and best practices that address critical infrastructure risks, threats, and opportunities. You can count on in-depth, concise information that will be an ideal complement to the collaborations and manufacturing processes and practices information for which NCMS is famous.

You’ll see the first edition of “Mfg.Trust” email magazine in a few days, and every month thereafter. The October issue deals with Identity Theft, which is an important issue for all of us. As an NCMS alliance partner, you will receive “Mfg.Trust” without charge.

Why is NCMS Doing This?

Even though NCMS has been working on IMIA for a long time, its introduction is timely. The unprecedented opportunity brought about by the widespread adoption of the Internet by industry is well known, but deep understanding of the business implications, risks and opportunities is not. To counter these threats and risks, while still reaping the benefits of online commerce, it is now essential for manufacturers to provide their customers and supply chain partners with rock-solid business and information assurance capabilities. We’re convinced that our efforts to enhance awareness about these business-critical issues will serve the manufacturing community in general, and our members in particular, thus fulfilling NCMS’s mission.

Months before the September 11th terrorist attacks on America, NCMS was already forming this partnership with NIPC. We now have heightened awareness of just how dependent our businesses are to infrastructure access. We would like you, personally, to experience what having the right information at the right time in this new field can mean to your business success.

Every month NCMS will provide you with new information that is impacting your future. Mfg.Trust explains new technology in the context of business objectives.  It updates you on changing corporate strategies. And, it helps you work closer with your top executives to give your organization the competitive advantage.

What is the National Infrastructure Protection Center?

The National Infrastructure Protection Center was established in 1998 to serve as the US government's focal point for threat assessment, warning, investigation, and response to threats or attacks against the Nation’s critical infrastructures.  Participating US Government organizations include the FBI, CIA, Treasury Department, INS, Department of Commerce and other departments and agencies of the Executive Branch. Critical infrastructures are those physical and cyber-based systems essential to the minimum operations of the economy and government. They include, but are not limited to, telecommunications, energy, banking and finance, transportation, water systems and emergency services, both governmental and private.

What is InfraGard?

InfraGard is an information sharing and analysis undertaking between the NIPC and industry, businesses, academic institutions, law enforcement agencies, and other participants dedicated to increasing the security of U.S. critical infrastructures. Currently, more than 2,000 members participate in the program through regional chapters. The NCMS industry association approach is the first of its kind – focused on the specific needs of manufacturers. 

Welcome to the NCMS InfraGard Manufacturing Industry Association!

            …Infrastructure assurance resources for manufacturers

Please address your comments and suggestions to John Sheridan (johns@ncms.org) at NCMS. Thank you!