UPDATE 1-US FDA moves to protect data after trading charges

* FDA chief takes steps after insider trading charges

* New tracking system, task force created - agency memo

WASHINGTON, April 7 (Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is taking steps to strengthen protection of commercially sensitive information after an agency chemist was charged with insider trading, according to a memo provided to Reuters.

Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said in the memo she had taken a "number of immediate steps to address potential vulnerabilities," including a "new tracking system to better monitor employee access of data."

Hamburg also said she was creating a task force to review information technology security across the agency. The memo was sent to agency staff on Wednesday.

On March 29, an FDA chemist and his son were charged with using inside information about drug approvals to reap more than $3.6 million in profits. [ID:nN29289327] (Editing by Dave Zimmerman)