Methodology

A three-tier system is used which is time efficient, comprehensive and cost effective.

Tier one is an evaluation tool that enables a jurisdiction or company to collect basic data, identify vulnerabilities and set priorities. It is simple, basic and capable of being used with minimal training.

Tier two is for assessment and takes into consideration the threat, vulnerability and criticality facing a jurisdiction, organization, company, facility or building.

Tier three, developed by O'Gara, is the R4 System (Risk-Readiness-Response-Recovery) which addresses in detail, the risk an entity faces, its readiness to handle and/or mitigate a hostile or Weapons of Mass Destruction incident, its ability to respond to an incident and its capability to recover from one.

All three tiers are automated to give a quantitative value for better management, and rapidly and effectively identify areas for improvement. They are also designed, so an entity can decide on what tier meets their requirements.

Our experienced staff can also tailor assessment tools for specific US Department of Homeland Security requirements, grants, etc or to satisfy an industry's or local jurisdiction's needs.

O'Gara holds nationally recognized certifications and is highly experienced in the following assessment tools:

CARVER (Criticality-Accessibility-Recuperability-Vulnerability-Effect-Recognizability) is an assessment tool developed by US Special Operations in targeting an adversary's installations. Non-military users use it to evaluate installations from a terrorist point of view. CARVER gives its various factors a numerical value which is placed in a decision matrix to identify the desirability of attacking a target. CARVER is a flexible tool and can be modified to meet specific assessment requirements.

DSHARP(Demographics-Symbology-Historical-Accessibility-Recuperability-Population) is a US Air Force tool for targeting an adversary's high risk infrastructures. It is also used by US Special Operations for planning the defense and targeting of high population areas. Like CARVER it assigns a numerical value which is placed in a matrix to determine the value of a target and their vulnerability. It is modified by non-military users to address terrorist and Weapons of Mass Destruction situations.

HLS-CAM® (Homeland Security Comprehensive Assessment Model) is the combination of a threat assessment tool and DSHARP. It was developed by and for law enforcement. The threat assessment is the first step in the HLS-CAM process and gives a determination of risk which assists in the setting of priorities for the conduct of the following steps which involve vulnerabilities. A modified and expanded DSHARP type matrix is used.

RAM-W (Risk Assessment Methodology – Water) was designed by Sandia National Laboratories, and is a systematic way of evaluating the risk to a water utility and prioritizing security and operational improvements to mitigate that risk. RAM-W begins by focusing on the utility's mission and identifying and prioritizing the facilities that are critical to fulfilling that mission. The design basis threat, or the level of threat that it is prudent to protect against is then developed. Critical facilities are then characterized in order to determine the critical assets, or single points of failure in the system, and to identify operational redundancies. Next, the effectiveness of current physical protection systems is evaluated. This effectiveness rating is used, along with the consequence of an adverse event, to assign a risk level to each critical asset. Finally, improvements are suggested to lower the risk to critical assets.

RAM-C (Risk Assessment Methodology – Communities) was designed by Sandia National Laboratories and consists of a number of steps starting with a screening step which selects facilities based on a documented process; characterization of the community and facilities; determination of severity of consequences for identified undesired events; determination of the community protection goals and defining the threat; defining existing baseline safeguard measures; analyzing protection system effectiveness against identified scenarios, determining a relative risk and finally deciding if that risk is too high. If the risk is too high then possible countermeasures and mitigation measures are considered.

RAM-CF (Risk Assessment Methodology – Chemical Facilities) was designed by Sandia National Laboratories and is a systematic, risk-based approach used to evaluate chemical or petrochemical facilities (or any facility which has hazardous chemicals present) with respect to potential malevolent actions (i.e. terrorists or criminals) that could cause an undesirable event such as airborne releases of hazardous chemicals which would compromise the integrity of the facility, cause serious injuries and/or fatalities among facility employees, contaminate adjoining areas, and cause injuries, and/or fatalities among adjoining populations.

C/ACAMS (Constellation/Automated Critical Asset Management System) is part of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Critical Infrastructure/Key Resources (CI/KR) Asset Protection Technical Assistance Program (CAPTAP), which is designed to facilitate the strategic and tactical application and management of information and resources for the prevention, deterrence and mitigation of critical incidents, including threats or acts of terrorism. By utilizing the best practices and lessons learned from assessment methodologies, prevention and protection strategies, and information technology solutions, such as Constellation/ACAMS (C/ACAMS), participating agencies can further support the development, implementation, and/or operation of their CI/KR protection program. Presently, there are (38) states that have formally approved participating in this program. O'Gara TSD staff members been formally trained by the DHS and are certified in C/ACAMS.

CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) is defined as "the proper design and effective use of the built environment that can lead to a reduction in the fear and incidence of crime and an improvement in the quality of life." The goal of CPTED is to reduce opportunities for crime that may be inherent in the design of structures or in the design of neighborhoods. We are certified in CPTED for Critical Infrastructure and highly experienced at applying CPTED standards and principles to our aforementioned assessment methodologies.