Security Assessment

To develop a security plan, you should begin with a security assessment. List the materials you handle, and identify those with the potential for use as a weapon or target of opportunity. Then, review your current activities and operations from a transportation security perspective. Ask yourself, "What are we doing now? What could go wrong? What can we do differently?" You can use a security-risk assessment model to identify risks and develop appropriate measures to reduce or eliminate them.

The following list provides the major components of a security-risk assessment model:

• Scoping - Determine the scope of operations that should be subject to security risk management. Identify the types of HAZMAT you handle and the modes of shipment used.
• Knowledge of operations - Collect detailed information about your transportation operations: (1) quantities of material transported; (2) baseline security programs; (3) current security procedures; and (4) related safety programs and procedures.
• Assessment - Analyze potential security threats and identify security risk control points. Risk control points are points in the transportation process where you can make an impact by improving procedures or operations.
• Strategy - Rank or group security risks, prioritize opportunities for security risk reduction, and decide on preventative actions. Create a written document summarizing your decisions. This written document is your security plan.
• Action - Implement your security plan.
• Verification - Monitor implementation of your security plan.
• Evaluation - Determine if goals are being met and compare your strategy and results with others in your field.

To learn more about DOT HAZMAT Awareness visit our DOT HAZMAT General Awareness Online Training web page.