Our firm offers a broad array of services
related to the Physical Security of a facility.
Services offered include:
· Vulnerability / Risk Assessments
· Security Audits
· Technology Review
· Design Development
· Construction Document Preparation
Construction Drawings
Specifications
Cost Estimates
· Bid Period Assistance
Vendor Qualification
Pre-Bid Meeting
· Construction Period Services
Pre-Construction Meeting
Submittal Review
Construction Administration
Vendor Correspondence
Acceptance Testing Monitoring
Final Closeout Document Review
Additional information on each of these support services is covered in this document.
Vulnerability / Risk Assessments
Vulnerability Assessments provide a client with a detailed and well documented assessment of potential vulnerabilities. This level of assessment can be costly, and require a significant participation by the client organization.
This process involves the client establishing a Working Group consisting of participants of most employee groups, including Human Resources, IT, Security, Facilities, and others. The consultant acts as meeting coordinator and moderates discussion. The purpose of the Working Group is to brainstorm on all potential risks which can be faced by the organization. These include not only external risks, but also may include internal risks. All incidents which could potentially impact the business adversely, including public image and operations of any type are considered.
These potential risks are then prioritized by the group. The four or five most critical risks are ranked through a documented process, and threat levels are determined. Since threat levels can not typically be determined accurately, for the purposes of determining solutions, the risks are assumed to be 100%. Finally, ways to ameliorate them are discussed and the most effective solutions defined.
Through this process, the consultant provides such tasks as facility surveys, evaluation of equipment and systems, interviews with staff, coordination with law enforcement agencies, and any other tasks necessary to assist the Project Team in the completion of the process.
The process is costly in terms of client manpower and consultant involvement. The end result will be a documented assessment of risks, which should support future review and scrutiny.
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Security Audits
A Security Audit typically involves a review of specified facilities for external threats. Threats from internal sources are generally limited to preventing physical entry to secure areas. Threats to be considered can generally be agreed upon between the consultant and client in preliminary meetings.
Client involvement in Security Audits is minimal. Consultants will require interviews with client personnel to acquaint themselves with operations and procedures. Generally there is no requirement for a client Project Team. Consultants will conduct surveys of the facilities, interview personnel, and draft a report of findings.
The report typically includes a listing of the identified risks and shortcomings in physical security, including structural, systems, staffing and procedures. Solutions to the risks are presented along with a discussion of current technologies available and the strengths and weaknesses of each. Finally, the report includes budgetary cost estimates of solutions and a prioritized listing of solutions from the most to least critical.
Security Audits are typically all that is required to support changes to improve the security of a facility. Defined risks are more simply analyzed than in a Vulnerability or Risk Assessment. They are, however, no less valid, and serve to allow client organizations to weigh potential solutions to risks.
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Technology Review
One aspect of Security Audits which clients most often request, is a review of current technologies as they relate to issues affecting the client. In this current era of dramatic technologic change, it is nearly impossible for a client to keep abreast of technological developments. The Security Consultant can provide a description of current technologies with application to the risks identified for the client. This description will include an analysis of each technology's strengths and weaknesses.
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Design Development
Once the Security Audit is completed, and a course of action is selected by a client, the Consultant may be called upon to provide design assistance in implementing some portion of the recommendations. The Security Consultant can provide Design Development documents to define new systems or structures to be implemented.
Design Development documents generally include a text report identifying the alterations to be included in the project. The Design Development document should thoroughly describe the operation of any new systems, including any integration between systems, so that the client has a complete understanding of what will be provided and how it will operate. Any required personnel and procedural changes should also be described.
The report will generally include budgetary cost estimates of the work involved in sufficient detail to allow the client to make an informed decision about implementation. Some drawings and sample product data sheets may be included to further detail the project.
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Construction Document Preparation
Once approval is given to the work outlined within the Design Development Document, work can begin on developing documents which can be presented to potential vendors for completing the work. Construction documents typically include drawings and specifications. Background drawings and “Boilerplate” specification sections are provided by the client to the Consultant or Engineer. “Boilerplate” documents, sometimes referred to as “Division One” sections include such items as contractor insurance, billing procedures and other standard requirements of an organization's purchasing department. The consultant will need this information to allow proper referencing within the technical specification sections he will draft.
Bid or Construction documents typically include more than one “submittal” to the client for review. A minimum of two submittals is required. Depending upon the complexity of the project, there may be additional submittals prior to letting the project out to bid.
Revised cost estimates are often required by clients to accompany design submittals.
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Bid Period Assistance
Clients that are not familiar with the industry or the construction bidding process may request the Consultant to assist them during the bidding process. Consultants may be called upon to provide any or all of the following:
- Pre-Qualification of Potential Vendors – The Consultant may be asked to pre-qualify a list of potential bidders. This is typically used to identify a list of vendors to invite to the bid process, not to preclude vendors. Vendor qualifications should be included within the specifications of the project.
- Document Distribution – Although not typically done, clients may request the Consultant to coordinate the distribution of bid packages to bidders. This process is generally performed by a printing firm of other organization that specialized in this work.
- Pre-Bid Meeting – Prior to the bid due date, a meeting may be held with potential bidders to review the project requirements and scope. Consultant will generally administer the meeting, record attendees and publish meeting notes.
- Submitted bids are often reviewed by the Consultant, and recommendations made to the client as to the completeness and suitability of the bids.
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Construction Period Services
Construction Period Services can include any of the following tasks provided by the Consultant:
• Pre-Construction Meeting – Once the project has been awarded, a pre-construction meeting is held to acquaint the successful vendor of such information as contacts, safety and security requirements, pay request procedures, and all of the host of other elements needed to insure the construction process goes smoothly. The Consultant can administer the meeting, or simply provide technical support.
• Submittal Review – Immediately after award of the project, the vendor is typically required to submit packages that include information supporting the specific equipment and designs planned for the project. Although the design documents may be complete, there is always room form misunderstanding between the design intent and the vendor's installation intent. Requiring the vendor to submit information before construction begins, can ensure the final installation is what the owner and consultant/designer intended.
• Product Data Sheets – describe exactly which manufacturer and product will be provided.
• Plan device locations – drawings show specifically where the vendor intends to install equipment. Comparing to the design plans can uncover problems early.
• System wiring diagrams and block diagrams – provide the consultant with details of the vendors intent in designing the installed system. Misunderstandings between the original design intent and the vendor's understanding or intent must be addressed early in the construction.
• Construction Administration – A number of construction meetings are held during construction to monitor the construction process, and discuss and address any issues brought forth by the vendor or owner. The Consultant can act as the owner's representative at these meetings. His level of technical knowledge about the systems being installed can smooth the construction process by eliminating misunderstandings by the vendor early in the construction process. The actual number of construction meetings is negotiated between the owner and consultant based upon the length and complexity of the project. Project meetings are generally scheduled at least once each month.
• Acceptance testing monitoring – consultants do not generally conduct acceptance testing, since physically touching the equipment could cause warranty issues. Generally, the consultant monitors final acceptance testing conducted by the vendor, and issues a punch list of items required before final acceptance can be given.
• Final closeout document review - At this time, system documentation, software disks, training, and warranty documents are also reviewed to insure the owner receives all of the information necessary to support the system after the vendor leaves.
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