n Terrorism has put security surrounding the food chain on a previously unknown level in the US. Len Lewis reports With America still on high alert for terrorist attacks, the supermarket industry and federal law enforcement agencies have created an early warning system to detect, prevent and combat threats against the food supply. An Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC) has been created by the Food Marketing Institute and the National Infrastructure Protection Center (NIPC) ­ a clearinghouse for intelligence reports ­ at FBI headquarters in Washington. Although reporting procedures are still being worked out, FMI president and CEO Tim Hammonds says if a government agency uncovers credible information of a threat against specific foods, stores, trucks or even computer systems, a 24-hour hotline notification system will trigger contact with FMI workers who have high-level security clearance. "We are also asking companies that sign up for the ISAC to give us a security contact. They will be contacted either through a secured part of our website, by e-mail, phone or a combination of all three," says Hammonds. By contacting safety and security people at individual companies, the government doesn't have to issue alerts in the general media, or, if information was obtained through a mole, run the risk of destroying a source, says Hammonds. A computer security alert from NIPC has already been posted on FMI's website. "We've worked with groups within the FBI for years on tracking forgers or organised gangs of robbers, but this is another level. We're still trying to understand what types of threats we're dealing with and what security we'll need," he adds. The other part of the equation is the flow of information from companies back to the government. "We're now trying to get reports on deliberate, malicious activities," he says. "This isn't the run-of-the-mill food safety problem. When someone even suspects there's a malicious act, they can communicate it confidentially through ISAC. The information is classified and won't even be accessible through the Freedom of Information Act." NIPC director Ronald Dick says the agency doesn't know of any imminent terrorist threats against the food supply, and that extensive measures are in place to prevent contamination. However, the centre maintains close ties to the Office of Homeland Security, with daily meetings to discuss issues and share intelligence. "We also have a significant international outreach programme. The UK and Canada have government representation in the NIPC, and watch centres have been established in a number of other countries, including Japan, Australia and Sweden," he notes. "The intent of NIPC is to detect, assess, warn and respond to things that threaten our critical infrastructure. We exist as an entity because we can look at criminal investigations and counter-intelligence." Because the centre has access to the big picture it is able to identify vulnerabilities in one sector that may affect another. As such, ISACs have been established for six other critical industries: oil and gas; electric power; banking and finance; transportation; telecommunications; and water. "When it comes to protecting the infrastructure, the key component is sharing information with those that need to know and that the information is actionable." Other ISACs are in the process of being formed. "The more the merrier," Dick says, noting that the FBI also has a grassroots information sharing system with state and local law enforcement agencies. "Former President Bush used the term a thousand points of light'. That's what we have and it's important that all these points of light are connected and information gets to them in the timeliest way." Commenting on the partnership between FMI and NIPC, Dick emphasises that FMI is a natural to lead the initiative. "The food industry is so large and diverse, there are thousands of contact points. But everything comes together in the supermarket." However, FMI is also soliciting participation and resources of other food industry groups, according to Hammonds. Additionally, FMI's involvement with the international community ­ retailers, growers and manufacturers ­ will be the subject of a discussion. FMI continues to work with the FBI's Weapons of Mass Destruction Operations Unit to identify credible threats and warn the industry."The ability to put out warnings quickly and get confidential answers is a big part of it. But ISAC will also help us centralise some best practices recommendations. For example, we're starting to see warehouses checking IDs for all truckers. The transportation industry has its own ISAC and perhaps we should reach some agreement on the kind of ID to use." n {{FEATURES }}