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By Michael Chertoff
Dear Facility Managers: As the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) works to secure the Nation’s
infrastructure, we are in the process of developing a number of tools to
assist our Homeland Security partners in assessing risk related to
facilities they own and operate. I am proud to introduce the Vulnerability
Identification Self-Assessment Tool, otherwise known as ViSAT. In creating
ViSAT, DHS worked with the International Association of Assembly Managers
(IAAM) to develop modules specific to owners/operators of stadiums, arenas,
convention centers and performing arts centers.
ViSAT is a Web-based tool (www.dhs.gov/vsat)
that enables asset owners/operators to conduct voluntary vulnerability
assessments of their facility, which will provide a baseline security
evaluation. The tool is user friendly, and is offered at no cost. After a
simple registration process, a user provides information related to security
plans, policies, and procedures; security awareness training; personnel,
vehicle and cargo access control; physical security assets; security
technologies and equipment; communications security; and information
security. The second section of the ViSAT is a vulnerability assessment. The
user is presented with a series of threat scenarios, based on the type of
facility being evaluated, which help determine the attractiveness of the
facility as a target, and what the consequences would be if it were
attacked. Consequences of an attack are broken down into five categories:
(1) health and well-being; (2) economic impact; (3) loss of function; (4)
reconstruction; and (5) socio-political impact.
The third section of the ViSAT collects information about security measures
currently in place, and their effectiveness. Once a user has filled out the
ViSAT, a report is generated. The report provides information to aid
owners/operators in enhancing security measures and to more effectively
manage risk.
Users may also voluntarily submit the vulnerability assessments results to
DHS through ViSAT. I would strongly encourage each of you to consider making
this voluntary submission because such information greatly improves our
ability to strategically assess risk. By using ViSAT and sharing the
resulting information with DHS, not only will you be helping to make your
facility more secure, you will also help DHS make better informed decisions
about the allocation of its resources.
Additionally, I am pleased to announce that the Department has awarded the
IAAM with a $750,000 Competitive Training Grant to assist in promoting and
training facility managers on the ViSAT. This grant demonstrates DHS’ belief
that full use of this tool will bring even more value to the country through
our partnership with you. By making a small investment of time in using this
tool, you will make a definite contribution in the effort to secure our
Homeland.
I thank the volunteer members of IAAM for their important contributions to
the ViSAT and I thank you in advance for your cooperation. For more
information about ViSAT, please contact Ms. Lynne Wolstenholme of the DHS
Protective Security Division at (202) 282-8728.
Sincerely,
Michael Chertoff |
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