JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation (CSXT) announced it has entered into a rail security partnership with the State of Alabama, which represents a model CSXT successfully uses with other states.
The partnership, called SecureNOW, formalizes and enhances CSXT’s ongoing commitment to share information, resources, and strategies to better protect communities in which the company operates. CSXT also has partnerships with several other states.
“This partnership allows CSXT and state officials to effectively and seamlessly share information and work side by side to safeguard the communities and customers that we serve,” said Skip Elliott, CSXT Vice President of Public Safety and Environment.
SecureNOW becomes another resource where state, federal and local agencies work together to evaluate and act upon potential security threats. The partnership further enhances law enforcement and homeland security efforts.
“CSX and the State of Alabama are committed to securing our citizens, visitors and critical infrastructure,” said Brock Long, Director of Alabama Emergency Management Agency. “This partnership is a model for a collaborative public-private security initiative that we hope to replicate with other industries to better serve our communities.”
The SecureNOW partnership provides security officials with access to CSXT’s Network Operations Workstation (NOW) system. This secure online system, developed and used by CSXT, allows security and law enforcement officials to independently track the location of CSXT trains and the contents of rail cars in a nearly real-time environment.
In addition to providing access to the NOW system, CSXT works with law enforcement officials on joint rail security training and preparedness exercises, and provides around-the-clock access to CSXT rail security professionals.
