Analyzing and Protecting the Infrastructure

Protecting the Infrastructure

It is important to ensure that infrastructure is resilient, secure, and are able to survive and swiftly recuperate from different occurrences, which ranges from the minor accidents to the very damaging events, such as Hurricane Sandy. Practical, planned, and well-coordinated efforts are important for strengthening and maintaining a secure, working, and flexible critical infrastructure-which includes assets, systems, and networks-which are essential to public assurance and the safety of New Yorkers, as well as their well-being and prosperity. This attempt is viewed as a shared responsibility among local entities and states, and private and public owners as well as operators of critical infrastructure (The City of New York, 2016).

A High Profile Target

The Indian Point Energy Center is the target. This is a 3-unit nuclear power plant station found in Buchanan, New York, exactly south of Peekskill. It is located at the Hudson River east bank, about 25 miles of north New York City.

How to Harden the Target

The nuclear energy industry is known to maintain a strict security system aimed at preventing any unauthorized person from accessing the critical equipment or coming close enough to cause any harm to the facility with air-bone or land explosives. Some of these security measures employed include:

Physical hindrances, assessment systems and electronic detection, as well as illuminated detection zones.

Electronic surveillance and land patrols of the interior structures and land perimeter

Bullet-resistant protected positions all through the plant

Critical areas and robust barriers

Access control for employees and background checks

Well trained, well-armed security personnel.

Concentric Circles of Escalating Security

Security techniques depend on concentric perimeters or circles, with the security level rising with the decrease in the distance to the reactor.

Owner-controlled Area: The outer perimeter, known as the owner-controlled area is effectively far from the reactor, which calls for a minimal security. Firearms, explosives, and alcohol are not allowed in this section.

Protected Area: There is a dramatic increase in security at the border of the protected section, which is often fenced, guarded with very sophisticated security systems and protected by well-armed security officers. Individuals who are given access to the protected section unescorted must undergo a background check first, drug testing and psychological evaluation. Once in the protected section, the security agents are subjected to behavioral observation and haphazard drug testing. Before entering the plant daily, they are made to pass through explosive and metallic detectors and subjected to biometric screening. Visitors must be screened and escorted always.

Vital Area: The innermost section is known as the Vital area, which is known to house some equipment required for the safe deactivation of the reactor to ensure it is in the safest condition.

This section houses the control room, the used fuel pool, the security alarm stations, the reactor as well as the associated safety equipment. Card readers, security locks, and sometimes staffed guard stations protect the entrance. The nuclear plant site has built an integrated security and response scheme with the local, state and federal law enforcement agencies as well as with emergency responders who can give assistance in the rare event of a sudden attack.

How to Partner With Local, State and Federal Governmental and Professional Resources As Well As Enlisting the Help of the Community