21st Century Security and CPTED, 2nd Edition

183

12

Problem Seeking before

Problem Solving

CYA: Cover Your Assets*

The second part of the risk assessment process is to determine what it is that you are trying to

protect: otherwise known as assets. Although the focus of this book is on preventing criminal

behavior, workplace violence, and terrorism in the built environment, the exercise of assessing risk

and examining threats can have positive impacts upon safety and security and protecting our assets

in many ways. Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Wilma, and Superstorm Sandy of 2012 demonstrated that

the lack of preparation, understanding, and resources was catastrophic in the communities and

critical infrastructure affected by the wind and water damage. Faulty evacuation plans for people in

low-lying areas collapsed the infrastructures of several major cities, including gas and oil industries.

In South Florida, a Category One hurricane (among the weakest) knocked out 98% of the power grid

for 8 weeks in some areas. Above ground utility poles were vulnerable to the winds and resulted in

thousands of wood and concrete telephone and power poles being snapped or knocked down. Gas

stations could not sell gas because they did not have electricity or backup power generators to run

their pumps. Ironically, the worst fear from an act of terrorism was effectively caused by a known

and predictable natural event in our country—hurricanes.

Had there been an asset analysis as part of assisting risks to show the value of proactive and

preventive measures, a more effective response and protection might have been available to victims.

A proper asset analysis might have signicantly minimized and mitigated the impact from these

disasters. Buildings would be built differently, glazing systems would be stronger and more break

resistant, utilities would be delivered differently in protected conduit underground, information

and data would be protected differently, gas stations would be required to have backup generators,

utilities would be buried, evacuation plans would be mandatory, and water drainage and runoff

protection would not be optional.

*

Portions of the text in this chapter consist of articles and other publications previously written by the author including

possible portions found in the following Wiley publications: Architectural Graphics Standards, 10th edn., Ramsey/Hoke,

The American Institute of Architects, John Wiley & Sons, ISBN 0471348163, Copyright 2000; Security Planning and

Design: A Guide for Architects and Building Design Professionals, Demkin, J. The American Institute of Architects,

John Wiley & Sons, ISBN 0471271567, Copyright 2004. We offer special thanks to the American Institute of Architects

and John Wiley & Sons for permission to reproduce common content in this work.

CONTENTS

What Are the Assets? ..................................................................................................................... 184

Understanding Asset Value (Task 2.1) ........................................................................................... 185

Identifying Building Core Functions (Task 2.2) ....................................................................... 187

Determining the Asset Value Rating (Task 2.3) ........................................................................ 189

Identifying Assets ......................................................................................................................190

Categorizing Assets ................................................................................................................... 190

How to Determine Asset Criticality? ............................................................................................. 191

Summary ........................................................................................................................................ 191

References ...................................................................................................................................... 191