CFATS


Reshaping the Perimeter

Driven by the 2013 physical assault on a California substation, the NERC CIP 14 regulation has reshaped the way energy’s physical security directors are viewing perimeter security.

Safeguarding the Power - Providing protection for some of the nation’s most valuable assets

Safeguarding the Power

You are on duty at a large power station when you hear a gunshot coming from the South side of the facility. This shot triggers your security systems sniper detection alarm.

Perfect Foresight - Making hazardous chemical safety procedures a priority

Perfect Foresight

In the weeks following the massive explosion at a warehouse owned by Ruihai International Logistics in the Chinese port of Tianjin, investigators are getting a better idea of what led to the disaster that killed 173 people—104 of whom were firefighters—and injured hundreds more.

Sound the Alarm

Sound the Alarm

To support safety and notify personnel in the case of an emergency, Peru LNG’s needed a general alarm and mass notification system (MNS).

Energy Distribution

Energy Distribution

When officials at the United Illuminating Co., a regional energy distribution company in New Haven, Conn., planned the recent completion of their 56-acre corporate headquarters, their “must-have” list included a campus-wide Emergency Communications System (ECS).

Cameras at the Intersection

The Tuscaloosa Department of Transportation received federal funding for traffic message boards and cameras. Using its bucket trucks and technicians, Tuscaloosa’s DOT began installing cameras at high-volume intersections across the city.

Chemical Industry Calls For Improved Implementation of Chemical Security Program

“Congress and the Administration have an opportunity to build on the chemical industry’s initiatives to enhance security by improving implementation of the Chemical Facilities Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS).”

Greater Congressional Oversight Will Improve CFATS Implementation

Greater Congressional Oversight Will Improve CFATS Implementation

As a key congressional panel examined the implementation of the nation’s chemical security rules, the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) expressed its support for stronger federal oversight...



Chemical Plant Security Assessment: Prioritizing Facilities that Need to Be Protected

Chemical Plant Security Assessment: Prioritizing Facilities that Need to Be Protected

The security professional needs help from a process safety expert to understand and prioritize what needs to be protected on the site.

Department of Homeland Security Logo

CFATS Update The Pre-Authorization and Authorization Inspections

In October 2006, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2007 became law. Section 550 of the Act ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to...

A Holistic Approach to CFATS Compliance

Knowing the identity of workers and monitoring their access to various operations are key capabilities required to meet Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS). Several of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)'s 18 Risk-Based Performance Standards (RBPS), which were formulated to ensure protection of chemical facilities, specifically mention the need for comprehensive monitoring of employee identity and control of access to critical areas.

Technology's Role in Achieving Chemical Security Standards

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security developed the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS), a comprehensive set of security regulations governing chemical facilities, to ensure companies that manufacture, store and transport chemicals are properly secured. While various technologies can play a role to protect chemical facilities, CFATS does not specify which should be used or how. Instead, CFATS specifies 18 Risk-Based Performance Standards (RBPS) to guide chemical facilities in selecting and implementing appropriate protective measures to reduce vulnerability and manage risk.

Dont Hold Chemical Security Hostage

Don't Hold Chemical Security Hostage

Although the calendar says November, it’s beginning to feel like Groundhog Day for a lot of chemical manufacturers across the country that are again waiting on Washington to permanently reauthorize the nation’s chemical security rules.

Fiber on Patrol

You can imagine how difficult it would be to secure an oil and gas pipeline than runs 50 or 60 miles. Multiply that distance by 20, and the security costs alone would be enormous -- let alone adding to the environmental impact or related safety concerns.

CFATS Update: Almost 4,000 Facilities in Final Tier

Earlier this month, ChemicalProcessing.com presented an ADT-sponsored webinar focused on CFATS & MTSA Security: Tips & Regulatory Updates. The hour-long webinar addressed issues that chemical plants face in an effort to comply with the anti-terrorism standards.

Senate Homeland Security Committee Approves Three-Year CFATS Extension

In late June, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committe voted 8 to 2 to approve the Continuing Chemical Facilities Antiterrorism Security Act (S. 473), spearheaded by Ranking Member Susan Collins (R-ME). The legislation would extend the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) until October 2015.

SOCMA Urges Congress To Approve Long-Term Extension Of CFATS

With the current authority for the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) set to expire in days, the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) today urged Congress to act now to ensure the program’s continued success by approving a multi-year extension.

Featured

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”