Defence Against Terrorism Case Study: Simulation-Based

The events of 9/11, subsequent anthrax incidents, as well as attacks in London, Spain and elsewhere, have brought increasing attention to the probability of NATO nations becoming a target of a terrorist threat. While telecommunications infrastructures may not be a specific target for attack, the consequences of a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive (CBRNE) incident on such Critical Infrastructures (CI) are debilitating, in part due to interdependencies with other CI. Improving CBRNE emergency preparedness, readiness and response capabilities is critical for both defence and security partners involved in domestic security. This report documents the results of a simulation based – framework for capability assessment of the emergency response Capability to a CBRNE threat at a Telecommunications CI location in Canada. The assessment reviewed the options for address a capability deficiency related to ensuring business continuity of a highly technical environment that would become a contained site after a biological attack, while still requiring maintenance tasks to be performed due to its CI nature. An agile analytical/technical framework methodology associated with Capability options was developed and tested. The assessment captured the as-is emergency response architecture which helped stakeholders understand their role in the incident and displayed the variety of emergency response organizations and levels of government would play a role during such an incident. A scenario was developed to provide context and a structure for identification and evaluation of CBRNE emergency response processes and procedures for CI. The simulation conducted for the study included live simulation with fully trained HAZMAT responders from a Government Department who performed a cross selection of tasks required for business continuity. The tasks were conducted in a Telecommunications central office that was hypothetically sealed off due to the simulated anthrax attack. Vallerand, A.L.; Osgoode, K.; DeJager, C. (2007) Defence Against Terrorism Case Study: Simulation-Based Technical Framework to Address Changes in Capability Deficiency. In Improving M&S Interoperability, Reuse and Efficiency in Support of Current and Future Forces (pp. 9-1 – 9-10). Meeting Proceedings RTO-MP-MSG-056, Paper 9. Neuilly-sur-Seine, France: RTO. Available from: http://www.rto.nato.int. Defence Against Terrorism Case Study: Simulation-Based Technical Framework to Address Changes in Capability Deficiency Remote camera technology was used and evaluated during the scenario walkthrough. A mission, function, task, analysis and human factors evaluation of the overall space was applied. The results revealed that private sector owner of the CI should work with government to leverage existing knowledge that can be shared about existing threats, about risk assessment and about what is most likely to fail in various “emergency scenarios” related to physical security of CI protection. The camera technology proved to be key to providing detailed performance instructions, technical support and building directions to the first responders The data also revealed that special procedures may have to be developed for infrastructure components that are considered a high failure risk or infrastructure that is open to risk, particularly if business continuity is critical to prevent a cascade of interdependent failures. It was concluded that a simulation-based, scenario-driven and user-centric approach supports well many elements of a valid, credible and reproducible capability assessment including the analysis of an “as is” capability, the “target or to be” capability as well as the options to remediate capability gaps while ensuring business continuity of the critical infrastructure in support of security partners.