December 2021 Group Watch: Keeping Critical Infrastructure Secure – A Bill That Needs Passing
Our national well-being relies upon secure and resilient critical infrastructure, which includes physical and cyber systems that underpin the provision of essential services in our society. These critical assets include pipelines, electric power generation facilities, transmission towers, water systems, mining operations and transportation facilities such as trucking terminals. In Alabama we are fortunate to have an incredible network of critical assets, and we have to protect them. Currently in the Alabama Legislature, a bill has been pre-filed for consideration in the 2022 Legislative Session that will do just that. HB 21 will provide for further protections of these assets, and the Legislature should be urged to quickly pass this measure. According to George Clark, president of Manufacture Alabama, this is bill that can not wait and should be given top priority. Manufacture Alabama is the only trade association in Alabama dedicated to creating a business and political climate that promotes a positive, competitive environment and enhances the opportunity for growth of the state’s manufacturers.