Page 47 - the SyI Quarterly 13 - (V4)

Our Corporate Partners

Nuclear construction sites tend to be demanding some of which may be high-profile. At HPC, G4S
The Security Threats to Critical and dynamic with risks changing as the build supports the client, EDF in the induction and
security screening of the entire workforce and
proceeds. The number of people on site at any
National Infastructure and how one time and the speed of the build, makes has developed a package specifically for inducting
people on that site.
it more challenging to plan for. In contrast,
decommissioning sites have a higher risk at
G4S is Securing Hinkley Point C the beginning of the process when reactors All CNI sites take a layered protection approach
to security, with security checks kicking in before
are shut down and fuel is taken away, meaning
that security is generally easier to plan for. The the perimeter for people, equipment and goods.
- By Noah Price tempo of operations is also much slower for However, this is frequently not as simple as securing
decommissioning sites compared to the hive of one area, because many sites have multiple entry
activity of a construction site. As a result of the points, especially larger plants that may have
high number of people, machinery and activities, connections via road, rail and ports. It is important
far more safety, security and medical incidents that only authorised personnel are admitted to site
Critical national infrastructure (CNI) is, by its very nature, are faced on a construction site on a daily basis and that they are adequately screened, without
fundamental to the running of any country. Without the than would be seen at a decommissioning site. causing any unnecessary delays. At HPC around
contribution from sectors such as energy, society would be 200 buses are used daily to shuttle people to park
severely impacted. It should therefore be no surprise that CNI is a Revisions of the UK threat levels relating to and ride sites, therefore, it is important to deploy
perfect target for those who may wish to cause major disruption potential terrorist attacks also have an impact, suitable access control systems that can both
or harm. with an expectation that security services have process workers and visitors securely and efficiently.

the ability to react to these changes instantly.
Noah Price, head of the G4S Academy, provides an overview of This means having the resources to upscale Achieving the standards
the security threats faced by critical national infrastructure, what security to the appropriate level, depending on To achieve the required standards in CNI
makes good security and the work G4S is doing to secure Hinkley the individual CNI environment. Having access environments it is important to adopt intelligent
Point C. to a pool of Suitably Qualified and Experienced security, using a risk-based approach, backed by
Personnel (SQEP), plus a broad range of specialist people and approved products. Personnel
Threats against CNI may be external or come from the inside supporting services (such as canine, which can in design, installation and operations need to be
and are constantly evolving. The principal threats include theft screen for explosives and firearms etc.), as well suitably and highly qualified to carry out their roles.
or damage to property, assets and materials, unauthorised entry as being able to rapidly deploy surveillance Many of these sites are visited by high-profile
(including terrorist, activist and urban exploration) and cyber- technology (such as CCTV Towers), allows individuals, making them a target for terrorist activity
attacks. organisations such as G4S to effectively react to and regularly selected by protesters. They are also
such demands and build an integrated security a popular choice for urban exploration. For these
The infrastructure which supports and underpins these sectors solution suitable to mitigate the threat. reasons G4S uses enhanced security officers (ESOs)
therefore needs to be protected against threat and harm, using on its high-risk sites, who can undertake a skilled
modern methods and the latest technology, to ensure that Managing ingress and egress and informed approach to appease any hostile
critical operations are not disrupted should an attack occur. Such The faster pace of operations is observed at situations. ESOs are highly experienced (often with
arrangements need a holistic approach to protect the entire nuclear construction sites by the large number of ex-military backgrounds) in the de-escalation of
infrastructure, including both physical and cyber security, and people on site at any one time. At Hinkley Point hostile situations such as protests.
ensuring that culture, awareness and behaviour among staff, C (HPC), security staff can search and screen up
contractors and others, is ultimately driven from the top. to 150,000 people a month, 8,000 in a 24-hour Likewise, only the highest standard of equipment
period, 5,000 of whom may need to arrive and and technology can be employed because external
Risk management leave the site in a one-hour period. It is vital to and insider threats are a real risk given the
Threats and risks faced by CNI need to be continually assessed ensure that no inappropriate substances or sensitive nature of the work undertaken at some
and updated, and this is difficult because of ever-changing dangerous materials enter the site, and likewise locations. The Centre for the Protection of National
circumstances. In the nuclear industry, the UK is currently in a that no expensive tools and materials, or Infrastructure (CPNI) is the government authority
state of transition with half of our 15 nuclear power reactors sensitive data is removed from the site. As such, focussed on providing advice and assistance
(which supply approximately twenty percent of Britain’s electricity), this takes planning, scheduling and coordination to those who have responsibility for protecting
set to be retired in the next four years. G4S provides security with people logistics, both on and off site to these most crucial elements of the UK’s national
services to nuclear plants that are under construction or being ensure staff arrive for work on time to prevent infrastructure, and to reduce their vulnerability to
decommissioned, with each site at very different stages of knock-on delays to construction. terrorism and other security threats.
operation, displaying different risks and requiring different levels As such, there is a big emphasis within some CPNI evaluates security products for use in CNI
of security. CNI sectors on security clearance, not only for and Government, against specific CPNI security

employees, but also contractors, and visitors, standards to assist organisations to identify the
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