Utility Line of Sight Assessments – Protective Designs

Challenge

Nearly every utility and critical infrastructure organization is facing a dynamic threat landscape that includes attacks from ballistic and improvised explosive devices. An increasing number of attacks designed to disrupt, damage, and destroy the fundamental systems Americans depend upon is changing the way companies think about safety and security. In addition to the regulatory requirements that utilities comply with for their most critical assets, many are investing in assessments of additional infrastructure to protect against ballistic (firearms, etc.) attacks that can cause millions of dollars in damage to equipment and disrupt electricity distribution to customers.
TRC is working with a utility client faced with many challenges as it aims to protect its critical substations in one of the nation’s most populated areas where costs can be as high as $30 million dollars per site to build ballistic walls around the full perimeter.

Solution

TRC is providing a full complement of security design and engineering services to help protect our utility client’s assets. Our Security and Emergency Management experts have performed multiple line-of-sight studies to evaluate and plan against ballistic attacks at electrical substations, hospitals, and other critical infrastructure. Evaluating the threat landscape, potential asset targets, possible assailant locations, and a diverse array of ballistic weapons and characteristics, the team developed a site-specific analysis for each of over 21 sites and is working with the client on custom plans for each location.

TRC’s security, GIS and digital experts collaborated to combine and incorporate analyses from on-site assessment by certified security professionals, GIS mapping, 3-D visualizations, and blast and ballistic scenarios for a range of attacks. Proposed solutions and mitigations included facility hardening through physical and operational measures such as the addition of ballistic walls and panels, control center upgrades, and improved security fencing. A comprehensive list of potential vendors for sourcing and installing these solutions was also provided.

TRC can also assist with bid support and analysis to ensure the best fit and value for the client’s specific needs as they take the next steps to harden their facilities and secure power delivery for millions in their service area. Additionally, we can provide a full complement of security design and engineering services from the project development phase through commissioning.