Risk Assessments
There is little that a building owner or local government can do to shield high-rise buildings from the kind of catastrophic attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. Mitigating the effects of an attack, therefore, is of paramount concern. Much can be done in this regard.
Rae Archibald, retired RAND Vice President (RAND – Thinktank for Public Policy Issues)
Corporations and Government facilities worldwide are ready to safeguard their future. Many have made risk assessments of their current systems a top priority, others don’t have a choice.
Wackenhut is able to perform complex security risk assessments of all critical infrastructure. Consultants provide assistance in identifying the vulnerabilities and make recommendations for improvement.
What is a Risk Assessment?
A risk assessment is a tool for measuring the compliance of an organization with applicable security requirements and is a standardized methodology that can be used to analyze a system or organization to identify vulnerabilities potentially resulting in losses. The standardized methodology is based on the interrelationships of four key factors:
| Assets. | Any useful or valuable resource. | |
| Vulnerability. | Weakness or susceptibility of an asset or a collection of assets to losses of various kinds. | |
| Threat. | An event, process or act which, when realized has an adverse effect on one or more assets. | |
| Safeguard. | A countermeasure, control or action taken to decrease the existing level of vulnerability of an asset to one or more threats. |
Risk = Threat + Vulnerability
Wackenhut's risk assessment will enhance a corporation's existing security program by providing a clear definition of the threats and vulnerabilities and concrete, cost-efficient measures to reduce risks to personnel and assets. Additionally, the assessment will address methods and resources necessary to reduce potential liability issues, and will provide budget estimates and return on investment (ROI) evaluations for recommended actions.
Program Measurements
Security departments provide service to internal customers and every service provider knows that quality must be built into their service offering. However, few of them know how to measure the quality of service they provide. Wackenhut provides proven systems that will demonstrate value through measured results of a corporation's security department. Program validation and practice compliance metrics will help show value and identify areas of improvement.
Technology Evaluation and Application
Wackenhut's security engineers actively seek out the best in the vast collection of new security-related technology opportunities. We apply our business expertise and market knowledge to specify effective, vender-neutral solutions for your organization's applications.
Security Systems Design
Wackenhut’s security engineering team offers a full range of design services, from schematic (concept) design through construction documents to construction administration services. Our multi-disciplinary staff has extensive expertise in all types of access controls (including biometric systems), intrusion detection and alarm monitoring, security communications, video surveillance and assessment systems, security lighting, ballistic and forced-entry resistant materials and construction, and more.
Master Planning
Master Planning is important for organizations or businesses that anticipate growth. Wackenhut’s master planning consultants work with the organization to help identify their long-term planning goals. We then evaluate the security programs and systems to determine if they match the organization's long-terms plans, and we develop multi-phase program modifications to support continued growth.
Risk Assessment Tools
Wackenhut has the resource and capability of utilizing specialized software-based risk assessment tools to provide the highest level of threat and vulnerability identification. The added advantage of using these tools is in establishing quantifiable measurements of risk. Software assessment tools can also provide specific measurable information on the compliance of security or safety practices. The chart shown below is an example of vulnerability identification and its measured relationship with other identified vulnerabilities at a specific site.
Methodologies
Wackenhut’s consultants are trained and certified in the application of methodologies developed for the protection of critical infrastructure, including:
HLS-CAM (Homeland Security Comprehensive Assessment Model – National Domestic Preparedness Coalition) A five-step process for the assessment of infrastructure; including, Threat Assessment, Criticality Assessment, M/D-SHARPP Matrix (analysis of targets identified in the Community Threat Assessment and Criticality Assessment), Community Priority Assessment Plan, and a Vulnerability Assessment.
RAM-W (Risk Assessment Methodology for Water– Sandia National Laboratories) Actually, part of a family of methodologies designed for the assessment of critical U.S. infrastructure elements, dams (RAM-D, electrical transmission (RAM-T), and communities (RAM-C).
SVA (Security Vulnerability Analysis – Center for Chemical Process Safety of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers). Guidelines for analyzing and managing the security vulnerabilities of fixed chemical sites.
Risk Assessments