IChemE convenes expert roundtable on cybersecurity
28th January 2025
On 28 January, IChemE brought together a range of experts for a roundtable event to discuss the challenges of cybersecurity, and how these should be addressed in the future.
Our economy and society rely on a wide range of digital infrastructure, yet these critical systems are under unprecedented threat, as illustrated by recent attacks such as on the Synnovis laboratory, Southern Water and Transport for London. The latest government research found that around half of UK businesses had experienced a cyber-attack in the previous 12 months.
Chemical and process engineers work in a range of settings where safety is vital and many are sectors of Critical National Infrastructure. From power plants to chemical production facilities, from the water industry to food and pharmaceuticals, cybersecurity poses a critical threat to safe operations. To explore this issue, IChemE convened a roundtable on cybersecurity chaired by IChemE President Mark Apsey MBE.
A number of themes emerged from the discussion, including: the central role of human beings (and their culture and mindsets) in driving good and bad practice in cybersecurity; the widespread lack of awareness and understanding of cybersecurity among the public at large, key decisionmakers, and many involved in critical industries; the challenges involved in keeping policy up-to-date given the rapid pace of technological change; and the challenges of making legacy systems secure given some were built before many of the present threats existed.
IChemE will be uploading an anonymised write-up of the discussion shortly. Find out more about the IChemE policy team and keep up with its wider work.
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Critical National Infrastructure
What is chemical engineering?
Chemical, biochemical and process engineering is the application of science, mathematics and economics in the process of turning raw materials into everyday, and more specialist, products. Professional chemical engineers design, construct and manage process operations all over the world. Energy, pharmaceuticals, food and drink, synthetic fibres and clean drinking water are just some of the industry sectors and products where chemical engineering plays a central role.
IChemE
The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) advances chemical engineering's contribution for the benefit of society. We facilitate the development of chemical engineering professionals and provide connections to a powerful network of around 30,000 members in more than 100 countries.
We support our members in applying their expertise and experience to make an influential contribution to solving major global challenges, and are the only organisation permitted to award Chartered Chemical Engineer status and Professional Process Safety Engineer registration.