Automated Risk Assessment Tool Helps Chemical Industry Comply with DHS Ruling

Alion Science and Technology has developed a Web-based, risk management software tool that can help the chemical industry comply with a recent ruling published in the Federal Register by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). RAMCAP Plus is designed to help the chemical industry reach compliance by helping companies assess their chemical threshold levels. The DHS "Chemical Facilities Anti-Terrorism Standard (CFATS) Appendix A" was accepted into Final Rule on Nov. 20 and requires that all chemical facilities, including universities and company labs, that have chemicals above threshold amounts perform up to three levels of risk assessment, depending on the amount of chemicals they manage. RAMCAP Plus is designed to automate DHS's RAMCAP (Risk Analysis and Management for Critical Asset Protection) methodology for completing these assessments.

RAMCAP Plus is a Web-based solution that evaluates an "all hazard" assortment of risks, including terrorist attacks, natural and unintentional hazards and common crimes. The software was engineered for industry officials to perform security vulnerability assessments, risk analysis and site security tasks quickly and easily for domestic and international facilities.

"RAMCAP Plus can help the chemical industry perform risk management exercises to support more effective decision-making," said Rear Admiral Richard E. Brooks (USN, Ret.), Alion group senior vice president and manager of the company's distributed simulation group. "Since RAMCAP Plus was built from the ground up around the DHS standards, it can help chemical facilities meet their reporting obligations while also helping them improve their risk profiles."

The database characterizes chemical industry processes and system components to identify applicable threats and vulnerabilities. The database also provides a comprehensive list of all mitigation controls that can be applied to systems. Additionally, says the company, RAMCAP Plus has a user-friendly configuration with built in guidance and provides quantitative and qualitative custom reports with cost-benefit analysis.

RAMCAP Plus is industry tested and certified by the Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS) and meets CFATS Tier-4 SVA and SSP requirements. RAMCAP Plus is endorsed by the ASME Innovative Technologies Institute, LLC (ASME-ITI), which provides market-relevant engineering and technology-based products and services to the government, industry and academic markets.