Vulnerable Self Assessment Tool for Businesses
Self Assessment Toolkit has been
launched for Businesses.
Toolkit will protect your business against terrorism
CHESHIRE businesses were invited to a free launch by Cheshire Police to demonstrate a new tool that will help develop security, and build resilience to a terrorist attack.
The National Counter Terrorism Security Office with the support of local Counter Terrorism Security Advisors, launched the Vulnerability Self Assessment Tool at the Holiday Inn in Liverpool city centre on Tuesday 13th September.
Guest speakers were Merseyside Assistant Chief Constable Andy
Ward, Head of the North West Counter Terrorism Unit Detective
Superintendent Tony Porter and Chairman of the North West Business
Continuity Forum Jim McAlister.
In addition there was an explanation and demonstration of the VSAT
tool.
The VSAT is an online tool aimed at small to medium enterprises that may not have necessarily considered themselves as, or even 'part of' a crowded place or being vulnerable to an attack.
The VSAT programme offers a fast, free method to assess a
business, ensuring business resilience.
The launch demonstrated how businesses and staff can use the VSAT
tool to best prepare against the threat by assessing and
improving security and business continuity
Developed by the National Counter Terrorism Security Office in
partnership with leading businesses across the UK, VSAT assiss
owners, operators and those responsible for the security of crowded
places to determine their vulnerability to terrorist attack
and other security concerns
The online self assessment consists of a number of questions and
will provide an understanding of what is needed to be put in place
to reduce vulnerability to attack.
The online assessment will also produce a list of recommendations.
In order to protect businesses interests and commercial
sensitivities the report is only available to the individual
user.
The VSAT will provide:
• Signposting to best practice
• 12 months Business Continuity Management tool
• Increased local engagement with police security experts
(Counter Terrorism Security
Advisors)
• Training Opportunities
• Written assessment report with recommendations covering,
Physical Security,
Personnel Security, Information Security, Good House Keeping
and Risk Management
VSAT will provide a means to identify and reduce the vulnerability
to businesses across Cheshire and help protect our
communities.
VSAT is aimed at those responsible for security of Education,
Health, Hotels and Restaurants, Major Events, Places of
Worship, Cinemas and Theatres, Commercial Centres, Stadia and
Arenas, Shopping Centres, Retail, Visitor Attractions and Bar,
Clubs and Pubs.
To register for the VSAT email ctsa@cheshire.pnn.police.uk
all that is required is an email address and description of your
business. You will then receive by email you log on details for the
VSAT website, it is just a matter of completing the survey and
receiving your automated report.
If you require further advice you contact your local CTSAs on the
above email address or ring 01606 36 2121.
Andy Priest LCGI
Counter Terrorism Security Advisor
Cheshire Constabulary
Frequently asked questions
Q. What is VSAT?
A. The Vulnerability Self Assessment Tool is a national online security questionnaire that is aimed at business.
The questionnaire once complete will generate a security report that will advise the business on how to reduce their vulnerability to a terrorist incident.
Q. Which businesses can complete a VSAT questionnaire?
A. VSAT is aimed at those businesses within Education, Health, Hotels and Restaurants, Major Events, Places of Worship, Cinemas and Theatres, Commercial Centres, Stadia and Arenas, Shopping centres, Retail, Visitor Attractions and Bar, Clubs and Pubs.
Q. Who should complete the VSAT questionnaire?
A. Anyone who has knowledge about the security of the site or business.
Q. How much will it cost?
A. It is free of charge and will take no more than 10 minutes to complete
Q. What benefits will business receive from VSAT?
A. They will receive a bespoke security report identifying their
vulnerability and advice
on how to reduce that vulnerability,
helping to protect their business and the
surrounding community.
Q. What will be included in the report?
A. The report will give advice on:
Physical Security
Personnel Security
Information Security
Good housekeeping and Risk
Management
Q. Will I get help in the future after completing the VSAT?
A. Yes, you will be given access to your local Counter Terrorism
Security Advisor who
will be able to give
you further security advice and you will receive free of
charge a
twelve month Business Continuity
Management tool.
Q. How easy is it to register for VSAT?
A. Registration is easy, email ctsa@cheshire.pnn.police.uk,
they will register you with
the VSAT site and you will then receive an email
asking you to log on and set your
password.
Q. Where can I receive more information about VSAT?
A. More information can be found at www.nactso.gov.uk/ or
email
ctsa@cheshire.pnn.police.uk .
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