Tackling Terrorism - VSAT

A Free And Secure Means Of Assessing The Vulnerability Of Your Business

The National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) and the national network of Police Counter Terrorism Security Advisors (CTSAs) are working on reducing the vulnerability of crowded places sites across the UK. Many of these consist of small to medium enterprises (SMEs) that may not have necessarily considered themselves as or even part of a 'crowded place'. 

The Crowded Places Vulnerability Self Assessment Tool (VSAT), which has been developed by NaCTSO in partnership with leading businesses across the UK, will assist owners, operators or those responsible for security to determine their vulnerability to terrorist attack.

What Is VSAT?

The self assessment consists of 32 questions which are bespoke to your business area and should take no longer than 30 minutes to complete. This will provide you with an understanding of what you need to put in place thereby reducing your vulnerability to a terrorist attack. The online assessment will also produce a report of recommendations. In order to protect your business interest and commercial sensitivities the report will only be available to the individual user. The overall assessment result will be displayed without showing numerical values but will assist you in prioritising where you may need to make improvements. Following the initial launch users will be able to view a business sector base line to see how their assessments fair compared with other assessments within the UK.

The VSAT process can produce a .pdf file which is saved by the registered user. This report is only accessible to the registered user.

What VSAT Will Provide You With?

• Signposting to ‘Best Practice'
• A 12 months Business Continuity Management Tool
• Increased local engagement with Counter Terrorism Security Advisors (CTSAs)
• Training opportunities and details of other Counter Terrorism initiatives
• A written assessment report with recommendations covering: - 
• Physical Security
• Personnel Security
• Information Security
• Good Housekeeping; and
• Risk Management

 The Vulnerability Self Assessment Tool will provide a means for you to identify and reduce the vulnerability to your establishment and help protect our communities.

Business Continuity Forum - VSAT Article April 2011

How Do I Register?

You can register by contacting the West Mercia Police Counter Terrorism Security Advisors. Email: ctsa@westmercia.pnn.police.uk

Once registered you will receive an e-mail instructing you how to complete the process and obtain your bespoke assessment.