Security Platform Offered for U.S. Chemical Industry

May 22, 2007 3:20 PM

ARINC Inc., Annapolis, plans to unveil an integrated security platform targeted to the current and future needs of U.S. chemical facilities. The solution expands on ARINC's expertise, spanning over 25 years, in supplying 10 CFR 73.55-compliant security systems to Nuclear Regulatory Commission Licensee facilities.

ARINC is cooperating with two other technology providers, BroadWare Inc., Santa Clara, Calif., and Hirsch Electronics, Santa Ana, Calif., to demonstrate a set of integrated, field-proven security technologies for the chemical industry at the Chemical Sector Security Summit, June 11-13, Booth #9, at the Fairview Park Marriott in Falls Church, Va. The companies have formed an open consortium -- the Open Standards Security Alliance -- to move the U.S. chemical facilities security industry toward open standards.

The Department of Homeland Security has recognized that chemical facilities require regulation and compliance standards similar to those that ensure security for the nation's nuclear facilities. The platform at Booth #9 will include command and control, intrusion detection, video surveillance, access control and biometric integration.

It is based on ARINC's Advanced Information Management (AIM) command and control platform, with video management software from BroadWare and access control technology from Hirsch, resulting in an open-ended security solution for chemical facilities. The same combination of integrated security technologies is scheduled to be deployed by ARINC later this year at a U.S. chemical facility.

The platform provides command and control, offering a comprehensive situational awareness graphical display. BroadWare's Media Management System allows an end-to-end solution for viewing, managing and recording continuous IP video streams while optimizing the video network. The Velocity Security Management System from Hirsch provides site-wide access control and biometric authentication for employees and visitors throughout all controlled areas.

"As security requirements for the chemical industry evolve, we expect to see temporary mandates issued by the department to reduce identifiable and evolving threats to the chemical industry, as we've seen by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that affected 10 CFR 73.55," says Frank Koren, business development manager. "End-users who have adopted an open systems approach to security can adapt to these changes without the economic burden presented by proprietary platforms."

The Chemical Sector Summit is organized by the Chemical Sector Coordinating Council and is sponsored by the department. The summit is designed to bring industry professionals together and will include discussions regarding the implementation of the new Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS), secure distribution of chemicals and coordinating security programs with local responders.

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