ASEC provides clients a systematic approach to determining their security needs. Risk-Threat-Vulnerability Assessment Business and government leaders recognize that the threat of terrorist attack against American interests both overseas and against our homeland is real. Further, they recognize that this threat will not end anytime soon and that they personally recognize it is their responsibility to do all they can to protect their businesses, operations, employees, customers, and facilities against terrorist attack. Deciding on the right course of action to take is less clear. Our customers need information. What is the threat? Is my organization a likely target? Are my facilities vulnerable to attack? If so, what is the likely impact of an attack using explosives?... using weapons of mass destruction?...to a suicide attack? What can we do to make sure survivors of an attack can escape from our building? Is our security force equipped with everything they need? What more can we do? ASEC answers these questions and more. Our employees have been involved with protecting critical resources, facilities, and people for years. Our team is made up of former military leaders, engineers, and security specialists, with experience in analyzing threats, evaluating prevention and response procedures, analyzing blast affects, using mathematical formulas to quantify the impact of attack in terms of loss of life and economic damage. The ASEC team develops solutions to counter attack scenarios. We identify the means to deter an attack, detect threats, mitigate the impact of an attack, and develop processes and procedures for effectively responding to an attack to limit damage and loss of life. ASEC then provides the client with cost estimates for countering each threat, reducing the risk of attack, and eliminating/reducing the vulnerability to attack. With this information, our client leaders have what they need to make informed decisions. The following charts outline the systematic approach ASEC uses in analyzing the threat, risk, and vulnerabilities our clients face. ASEC provides professional security system design services . Security System Design Conducting a site survey involves multiple disciplines, each collecting data, reviewing/ creating drawings of the site, citing the best locations for security equipment, determining communication and power requirements, etc. The site survey includes reviewing all existing conditions, from examining security features, to reviewing relevant past studies, particularly vulnerability assessments, power studies, lighting surveys, traffic studies, etc. The survey team is generally composed of individuals or teams possessing three sets of skills. The first is an extensive knowledge of security system components, their capabilities, and limitations. This is the person responsible for interpreting report findings, examining recommendations, determining how best to achieve the objectives of the recommendations, and identifying specific manufacturer's products to achieve those objectives. The individual(s) with these skills also identify locations for individual sensors, cameras, and other security devices where performance is optimized. After determining the locations for security equipment, the next step is to determine how best to power and establish communication between the sensors, cameras, and other devices and the point where these devices will be monitored. This includes such things as deciding where to consolidate signals from multiple locations, determining the number and type of communication paths, establishing a system for protecting the communication system, and identifying the source and type of power. Environmental factors such as temperature, moisture, dust, and dirt, all affect the level of performance of electronics, including those found in security systems. A camera with a wet and dirty lens will likely not enhance the security force ability to assess an alarm. So, environmental factors must be included in the survey. Will we need to have heaters and blowers to keep camera lenses clear? Should we install environmentally sealed units? The answers to these and other questions will not only ensure the system is turned over as a fully functioning system, but will also have a favorable impact on future maintenance costs. Another skill needed for completing a site survey is engineering - many times from multiple disciplines. For example, an electrical engineer will certainly be needed for calculating power loads and cooling requirements for communications and control centers. Where we need to protect the key structural points of a building, a structural engineer may be needed to advise security specialists on the locations needing protection. Additionally, a civil engineer may be needed to evaluate the best way to emplace barriers to protect vulnerable points from a vehicle-borne attack. The product developed from this survey will include a preliminary design, with marked-up drawings indicating device locations, a preliminary layout of conduits for both power and signal, and, where appropriate, a general location for physical security devices. The survey team leader, supported as needed by experts in different disciplines briefs the customer on the preliminary design. The next step is to determine what system to install. ASEC can either recommend a system based on our knowledge of the market, or, we can conduct or recommend an independent agent to conduct a market analysis. In either case, the result is the same - system selection. Developing a recommendation for the client is the end product for the threat-risk- vulnerability assessment. The recommendation is presented in a formal report and is directly related to the findings and analysis in the assessment. For example, if the assessment identifies a vulnerability to an attack involving a vehicle-borne explosive, the recommendation will address this vulnerability. In most cases, alternatives are also provided and ranked according their effectiveness in countering the threat or reducing the vulnerability. Where feasible, mathematical models are used to demonstrate the rationale for the ranking. Recommendations for physical security enhancements, electronic security solutions, and any procedural changes are included in the report. The recommendation includes a rough order-of-magnitude estimate of the cost for implementing. Finally, preliminary design drawings/renderings, and manufacturer product data sheets are included. ASEC team members will assist client representatives reach a decision on any recommendation or alternatives. Once a decision is made, the formal design effort is the next step. Designing the security system involves orchestrating the efforts of professionals from several different disciplines. In most cases, experts specializing in electrical, civil, mechanical, and structural engineering play a lead role in developing the system design. Security specialists and manufacturers' representatives also contribute to ensure the end product achieves the desired results. Most design packages have scheduled points to review progress. At the 30% stage, the security system includes device location drawings, a preliminary conduit plan, and a preliminary bill of materials, including manufacturer product data sheets. Additionally, ASEC begins developing the model for managing the system configuration for all electronic security features. Typically, we use Microsoft Visio software and build a graphical depiction of the entire system, with detail added throughout the design and installation process. Information such as make and model of individual components, warranty data, serial numbers, and TCP/IP addresses are included in the configuration management database. One of the critical aspects of the design effort is providing both feedback, and the opportunity for the customer representatives to remain up to date on the entire effort. ASEC strongly encourages customers to conduct on-board reviews to achieve this objective. The on-board review is generally scheduled one week after providing the 30% design package to the client. Key members of the design team provide a formal briefing to client representatives, reviewing each part of the package, going over drawings, and discussing the elements that make up the bill of materials. A "punch list" of outstanding issues is developed with each item assigned to an individual to resolve by an agreed-upon date. ASEC monitors this punch list and provides periodic updates to the client. The client approves the 30% design effort before moving on to the next stage - 60% design. Moving from 30% to 60% involves expanding upon the 30% package to provide additional detail to the client. The device location drawings, conduit plan, and bill of materials are updated as needed, and the following areas are also addressed: - Single-line system drawings are prepared to show the electrical and communication requirements for electronic security components. - A preliminary installation schedule is developed to show the sequencing of the construction effort. - Detail and typical drawings are created for each major area. For example, where access control is required, a typical door configuration shows the location of each individual device. - The configuration management program continues to be updated throughout this stage of design. In the same manner as followed in the 30% design effort, an on-board review is held to review all aspects of the 60% effort, review any outstanding issues from the 30% review, and to continue managing the punch list. Once the client approves the 60% design product, the 90% design effort begins. At 90% design, the nuts and bolts of the system are now included in greater detail. What are the power requirements at each location? Where is uninterruptible power needed? How are patch panels and switches configured? All the details needed to ensure a system integrator or installation team can efficiently and effectively install the system are included in the 90% design package. Our objective for this stage is to provide as much detail as possible, to have drawings to the point where there are very few, if any, comments, and to have all the specifications clearly spelled out for the client's approval. In addition to updating all of the documents and drawings submitted as part of the 60% design package, this is also the stage where the customer selects colors, fabrics, and materials for desks, consoles, chairs, etc. The configuration management program is updated with the new information, and is now nearing it's final state before installation begins. The on-board review for 90% is generally the last time that all participants gather to iron-out questions and issues. The punch list is still used and updated accordingly and should now be nearly empty. The move to 100% design should be a short one. The last step in design is to prepare packages needed for construction. In a design- build scenario, there is little to notice as ASCE moves from design into construction. But, there are some significant things which occur that are critical to a successful installation. First are the construction specifications. This is the documentation that details what items to use, where fiber optics are required, what size circuit breakers are needed, where conduits must be weatherproofed, etc. These documents are combined with drawings, renderings, and the configuration management program to make up the construction package needed to install a system exactly as the client expects. ASEC offers our clients the ability to contract directly with us to install the entire system, either immediately after design or at some point in the future, or as part of a design-build effort. This has two distinct advantages. First, there is an opportunity for the client to designate certain features to accelerate, providing an immediate benefit of enhancing protection while other portions of the system follow the design process completely. For example, if there is an immediate need to install vehicle barriers, ASEC can fast-track this item and eliminate the delay associated with completing the electronic security system design. Secondly, there is a distinct advantage to using the same firm that designed a system also install it. ASEC will assign a project manager who will be responsible for the entire effort, ensuring continuity throughout the process. Alternatively, ASEC is prepared to represent the client and oversee the installation by another contractor. For many clients, this is the best option, providing them with a disinterested, but knowledgeable staff to ensure installation and performance criteria are met. ASEC welcomes the opportunity to serve in either capacity. 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