The US Department of Justice’s (USDOJ) National Institute for Justice (NIJ) has developed a prototype methodology to assess the security of chemical facilities within the United States. This Vulnerability Assessment Methodology (VAM) identifies and assesses potential security threats, risks, and vulnerabilities and guides the chemical facility industry in making security improvements. The VAM was developed in collaboration with the US Department of Energy’s (USDOE) Sandia National Laboratories.

According to the NIJ, the use of the VAM is limited to preventing or mitigating terrorist or criminal actions that could have significant national impact, such as the loss of chemicals vital to the national defense or economy, or could seriously affect localities, such as the release of hazardous chemicals that would compromise the integrity of the facility, contaminate adjoining areas, or injure or kill facility employees or adjoining populations. It addresses physical security at fixed sites but not cyber and transportation security issues.

Contact ASA to discuss performing a Vulnerability Assessment for your facility.