Perimeter assessment is a key element in executing an effective security model for nuclear power facilities. Many facilities now use blast and ballistic resistant guard booths and guard stations at a facility’s perimeter, which must not only stop attacks but deter them. Guard booths frequently defend facilities that are critical to life, environment and the economy, so they must offer critical survival advantages against serious attacks.
Los Angeles, CA. – February 8, 2011 – The critical advantage that improved security measures offer when protecting our nation’s nuclear power, chemical and utility facilities is understood by prefab guard-booth builder B.I.G. Enterprises (www.bigbooth.com). With increased awareness surrounding the ecological and economic impact an attack could have on our country, safeguarding critical infrastructure is a requirement. B.I.G. has just announced the installation of their 50th survivability guard booth specifically designed for the nuclear power industry—this one in the Western U.S.
With over 15,000 chemical facilities, 104 operating nuclear reactors and hundreds more utility facilities, it is necessary to tailor security to the variety of hazards at each facility. In 2003, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) developed mandates regarding enhanced security at nuclear power plants. Primary among them were changes to the security perimeter and the screening of employees, vendors, and visitors as they accessed the site.
In 2005 the Bush Administration endorsed requirements for heightened security at chemical plants, because homeland defense experts considered them highly vulnerable to catastrophic terrorist attack. Necessary measures include screening and controlling access to the facility by screening or inspecting individuals and vehicles as they enter the facility.
Recognized as an essential aspect in securing all nuclear power, chemical and utility facilities, perimeter security assessment and infrastructure is a key element in executing an effective security model. That is why many facilities recognize their vulnerabilities and licensed security-contracting firms have arisen. One such firm is Nuclear Security Services Corporation out of Chicago who recently chose B.I.G. Enterprises to provide guard shelters for specific nuclear power plants it serves.
Customers do business with Nuclear Security Services Corporation (NSSC) because of their experience designing security solutions that are currently protecting over $125 billion in U.S. critical infrastructure. NSSC has advised numerous facilities on their mission critical security solutions.
NSSC’s Tim Collins offered the following advice for securing a high-risk facility: “Security decision-makers need to consider such factors as mission critical survivability. The purpose of the guard booth is to give an advantage to one’s officers. Inside this guard booth, armed responders need the ability to interdict—to respond to very high threat levels with a high probability of survival. Guard booths are frequently defending facilities that are critical to life, environment and/or the economy. So, creating the advantage is critical.” Because guard booths play such a vital role, many are now Blast and Ballistic Resistant Enclosures.
As George Washington once stated, “There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy.” When identifying the survivability advantage within a security infrastructure, perimeter security experts at B.I.G. and NSSC have joined together to prepare facility perimeters that not only stop an attack, but deter it as well.