6.28 AM Sunday 19 May 2013

Information about the Vulnerability Self Assessment Tool (VSAT)

Logo for the Vulnerability Self Assessment ToolThe 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 crowded places 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 of crowded places to determine their vulnerability to terrorist attack.

What is VSAT?

The self assessment consists of 33 questions and should take no longer than 30 minutes to complete and 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.

 

What VSAT will provide you with?

The 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.

How do I Register?

You can register by contacting the Dorset Police CTSAs on telephone number 01202 229322, or by completing our online contact form, stating within the message that you wish to register for the VSAT.

Once registered you will receive an e-mail from NaCTSO instructing you how to logon.