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

  • Security Industry Association Announces the 2026 Security Megatrends

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has identified and forecasted the 2026 Security Megatrends, which form the basis of SIA’s signature annual Security Megatrends report defining the top 10 factors influencing both near- and long-term change in the global security industry. Read Now

  • The Future of Access Control: Cloud-Based Solutions for Safer Workplaces

    Access controls have revolutionized the way we protect our people, assets and operations. Gone are the days of cumbersome keychains and the security liabilities they introduced, but it’s a mistake to think that their evolution has reached its peak. Read Now

  • A Look at AI

    Large language models (LLMs) have taken the world by storm. Within months of OpenAI launching its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, it amassed more than 100 million users, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history. Read Now

  • First, Do No Harm: Responsibly Applying Artificial Intelligence

    It was 2022 when early LLMs (Large Language Models) brought the term “AI” into mainstream public consciousness and since then, we’ve seen security corporations and integrators attempt to develop their solutions and sales pitches around the biggest tech boom of the 21st century. However, not all “artificial intelligence” is equally suitable for security applications, and it’s essential for end users to remain vigilant in understanding how their solutions are utilizing AI. Read Now

  • Improve Incident Response With Intelligent Cloud Video Surveillance

    Video surveillance is a vital part of business security, helping institutions protect against everyday threats for increased employee, customer, and student safety. However, many outdated surveillance solutions lack the ability to offer immediate insights into critical incidents. This slows down investigations and limits how effectively teams can respond to situations, creating greater risks for the organization. Read Now

New Products

  • 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.”

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.