The ISACs are a concept that was introduced and promulgated pursuant to Presidential Decision Directive-63 (PDD-63), signed May 22, 1998.  PDD-63 recognized the potential for the infrastructures of the United States to be attacked either through physical or cyber means with the intent to affect the military or economic power of the country.  For each major infrastructure within the U.S. economy, the federal government assigned an Agency or Department to work with the Private Sector to "consult with owners and operators of the critical infrastructures to strongly encourage the creation of a private sector information sharing and analysis center.  The actual design and functions of the center and its relation to the National Infrastructure Protection Center (NIPC) will be determined by the private sector, in consultation with and with assistance from the federal government." 

PDD-63 was supplemented and partially superseded by Homeland Security Presidential Directive /HSPD-7 (Dec. 17, 2003), which revised the list of lead agencies for critical infrastructure sectors and provided that those agencies, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), would "continue to support sector-coordinating mechanisms . . . to facilitate the sharing of information about physical and cyber threats, vulnerabilities, incidents, potential protective measures, and best practices."

SOURCES:

Presidential Decision Directive 63

Homeland Security Presidential Directive - 7

The ISACs provide increased situational awareness and facilitate improved information sharing between members, industry organizations, and federal, state, and local government entities. 

ISAC members get access to important information and independent research and analysis from leading security experts on a broad range of physical and cyber threats, vulnerabilities, and security solutions.  Members also receive near-time alerts on incidents of import and can submit threat- or incident-related information anonymously.  Members control the way information they submit is shared. 

The products available members include:

• Transit and Rail Intelligence Awareness Daily (TRIAD) Report
• Over the Road Bus (OTRB) Daily Report
• Daily Open Source Cyber Report
• Priority and Situational Awareness Messages
• Special Reports

To join, visit our Membership Information Page.