The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has launched the Protected Critical Infrastructure Information program, which would seek to reduce vulnerability to terrorist attacks by soliciting infrastructure details from the private sector. Critical infrastructure is defined as the assets and systems that, if disrupted, would threaten national security, public health and safety, the economy, and the general well being of the population.

The program office is part of Homeland Security’s Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection Directorate, and is charged with receiving submissions, determining whether the information qualifies for protection, and, if validated, sharing it with authorized entities. Initially, the program office will limit the sharing of PCII to IAIP analyses for use in analyzing and securing critical infrastructure and protected systems, risk and vulnerability assessments, and assisting with recovery, as appropriate. Members of the public who wish to submit information may do so through the PCII Program Office, www.dhs.gov/pcii.