SAFETY Act

The SAFETY Act group is a multi-disciplinary team that draws on IDA’s scientific, engineering, and operational security expertise to assess emergent technologies and services that help deter, detect, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism. For over fifteen years, in support of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), we have conducted over 1,000 assessments of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) equipment, mass notification and public address systems, electronic and physical security measures, and ‘human factors’ technologies. Most recently, we have focused on integrated anti-terrorism security systems for critical infrastructure, such as public utilities, sports venues, and commercial office facilities. In addition to reviewing anti-terrorism training, policies, procedures, penetration testing information, and emergency response exercise materials, we conduct site surveys of venues and provide real-time feedback to DHS and their private sector partners. Further, as DHS takes on broader cybersecurity responsibilities, we support DHS is assessing industrial control systems, new cyber threat detection techniques, and data analysis tools.

Expertise:

  • Enterprise risk management
  • Emergency response and preparedness
  • Anti-terrorism training and policy development
  • Cybersecurity and information technology system design
  • Physical and electronic security system test and design
  • CBRNE sensor testing and evaluation
  • Counter-UAS systems