New Federal Procedures Safeguard Chemical Facility Security Information

September 24, 2008

Wilmington, DE

Regulated facilities must follow strict guidelines to benefit from FOIA protection

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has taken measures to protect Americans from terrorist attacks at facilities across the country that store or utilize dangerous chemicals. These measures, called Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) regulations, require facilities to provide DHS an inventory of certain chemicals that they have on their sites, perform detailed security vulnerability assessments and follow up with site security plans that will be subject to strict DHS audits. All of this work generates volumes of sensitive information that details facility weaknesses and the possible catastrophic events that could result from terrorist attacks.

When this information is collected (known as Chemical-terrorism Vulnerability Information, or CVI) strict measures are required in order to prevent its release to unauthorized personnel, the public or an adversary. However, the regulation states that CVI is protected from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to prevent its release outside the facility.

The requirements for CVI compliance are complex, and in response KCI Protection Technologies LLC (KCI-PT) has developed the CVI Security Guide,™ an implementation guide that describes and explains in practical terms the procedures necessary for regulated facilities to comply with the DHS Chemical-terrorism Vulnerability Information (CVI) requirements. The guide is also applicable to staff, employees, service providers, contractors and consultants working for and under the direction of regulated facilities. It is the personal responsibility of every individual who handles, or otherwise comes in contact with CVI material to observe at all times written company security procedures and any other instructions that may be issued.

“Our goal in creating the CVI Security Guide™ was to create as practical a handbook as possible so that facilities would understand and be able to comply with the DHS requirements easily and efficiently. This makes the Corporate Security Director’s job easier when inspectors begin auditing sites next year,” according to John C. Fannin III, President of KCI-PT.

The CVI Security Guide is available separately or in conjunction with KCI-PT training programs customized for individual company needs.

KCI-PT professionals have been involved with some of the earliest risk assessment activities for chemical and other infrastructure sectors. Its multi-discipline experience in chemical process safety, industrial security, fire protection engineering, life safety, vulnerability assessment, and risk management uniquely positions KCI-PT to lead facilities through the CFATS compliance process.

KCI is an engineering, consulting and construction firm serving clients throughout the Northeast, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, as well as other parts of the U.S. and beyond. With revenues of approximately $142 million in 2008, KCI is ranked 88 on the Engineering News-Record's list of the top 500 engineering firms in the country. More than 950 KCI employee owners provide environmental, transportation, telecommunications, construction, facilities, and land development services from over two dozen locations. For more information, visit www.kci.com.

For more information please contact:
George G. Perdikakis, Sr.
georgep@kci.com
410.316.7951