BACKGROUND
In the post 9-11 era of increased security risk and vulnerability, significant efforts have been undertaken to ensure that transportation system employees are fully cognizant of the need to focus upon security issues. Workers have been exposed or trained on topics such as how to handle a bomb threat or what to do about suspicious activity they observe, etc. Employees have also been made aware that they are the “eyes and ears” of police or security professionals and how to reach help during an emergency situation or in response to a security related incident. These initiatives have correctly identified that security awareness by transportation workers is fundamental to a successful security program. They seek to establish a security mindset in the employee population as a means of maximizing the security effectiveness of the organization or agency.
However, standing alone even the most vigilant workforce cannot defend a transportation system from security risks simply by “talking up” good security practices. Agencies must also expend and dedicate resources to the acquisition of security systems and more and more frequently to organizations and staffing to secure facilities and minimize vulnerabilities. Whether the security related expenditure is merely for locks and gates or perhaps for some sophisticated new biometric technology, transportation operators are being required to make important and often costly security decisions to protect their people and assets. Typically, where available agencies have utilized trained law enforcement or security personnel to assist in the development of comprehensive security plans or programs. These individuals have also been instrumental in the evaluation of procedures and protocols for improving overall system security.
In many instances the expertise of a security professional is not readily available, particularly the assistance of a security specialist who is experienced in the transportation operating environment. In these cases security decisions are often left to a manager or worker who is inexperienced and untrained in the security field. Similarly, even when available and utilized there is often a knowledge gap between the security professional and the transportation operator responsible for making security purchasing or operating related decisions.
There is a need to minimize the extent of this perceived knowledge gap by providing transportation managers and employees with greater context and information regarding the principles of security planning and procedures.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this project is to provide transportation managers and employees with an introductory-level reference document to enhance their working knowledge of security concepts, guidelines, definitions, and standards. Emphasis will be placed on identifying transportation related security standards for facilities, security design considerations, security concepts, and an overview of what it means to approach security from a systems perspective.
This report will be designed for use by a wide audience of transportation managers and employees, including those with direct security responsibility. It is anticipated that the primary user group for the report is transportation personnel without a security background whose work requires them to address, perform, or supervise security activities as a part of their overall job responsibilities.
Although designed principally for transportation managers and employees with either minimal or no formal security training, the report will be sufficiently detailed to be of use to security professionals as well. Some of the information to be contained in the report includes:
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Relevant Security Terminology and Definitions
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Types of Security Measures
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Security Equipment and Technology
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Security Survey Techniques
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Security Program Management (including identification of audit functions and inquiries; SAFETEA-LU requirements for security funding)
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Risk Management Principles
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Types of Security Processes
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Facility Security Standards (description of base level, refer to sources for tiers e.g., Wisconsin DOT)
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Security Cost Benefit Analysis
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Legal Issues Associated with Security Management
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Security Inspections
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Security Training Requirements
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Security Bids and Procurement
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Appendices
- Check-off lists (FTA-style, like those used in triennial reviews)
- Inventory of current security activities (e.g., standards), funding sources, funding processes, resources, and tools (e.g., ASIS; AASHTO and CRP publications— when available, see the products of 20-59(24)/J-10E A Guide to Transportation and Hazards Resources, and 20-59(16B) Security Framework: Fundamentals of Security for State Transportation Agencies)
Security 101: Physical Security Standards and Guidelines for Transportation is anticipated to be an introductory reference document that is tabulated and cross-referenced for ease of use.
TASKS
Task 1. Identify and review relevant practices, findings, and other information related to physical security standards and guidelines for transportation agencies in the United States. Prepare a detailed outline for the project report. Submit the Task 1 results for panel review and comment.
Task 2. Submit a draft report in the form of an introductory-level reference document to enhance the working knowledge of security concepts, guidelines, definitions, and standards for transportation managers and employees with either minimal or no formal security training. Emphasis will be placed on identifying transportation related security standards for facilities, security design considerations, concepts of operations, and an overview of what it means to approach security from a systems perspective.
Task 3. Meet by conference call with the project panel to review the draft report. For the meeting, provide a PowerPoint presentation on the research project, which after revision will be suitable for use by the panel and others in explaining the project.
Task 4. Submit a revised final report, documenting the entire research effort and including (1) an executive summary; (2) an introductory-level reference document to enhance the working knowledge of security concepts, guidelines, definitions, and standards for transportation managers and employees with either minimal or no formal security training; and, (3) a revised PowerPoint presentation.
