The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has launched theProtected Critical Infrastructure Information program, which wouldseek to reduce vulnerability to terrorist attacks by solicitinginfrastructure details from the private sector. Criticalinfrastructure is defined as the assets and systems that, ifdisrupted, would threaten national security, public health andsafety, the economy, and the general well being of thepopulation.

The program office is part of Homeland Security's InformationAnalysis and Infrastructure Protection Directorate, and is chargedwith receiving submissions, determining whether the informationqualifies for protection, and, if validated, sharing it withauthorized entities. Initially, the program office will limit thesharing of PCII to IAIP analyses for use in analyzing and securingcritical infrastructure and protected systems, risk andvulnerability assessments, and assisting with recovery, asappropriate. Members of the public who wish to submit informationmay do so through the PCII Program Office, www.dhs.gov/pcii.