Washington — The Asmark Institute and the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) announced on July 16 that they have developed a new Security Vulnerability Assessment (SVA) for use by the agricultural retail sector. The SVA is a web-based tool developed specifically for facilities to identify and assess potential security threats, risks, and vulnerabilities. The original SVA was first published in 2003, but the new SVA Version 2.0 includes more than 230 changes and 25 new questions, many of which are focused on transportation issues. ARA and Asmark said the revised SVA was expanded “to provide more emphasis on issues raised by the Department of Transportation and the additional layers of security that have been developed during the past decade.” Retailers who complete the SVA will receive a list of recommended countermeasures to help offset their vulnerabilities, along with site-specific information required in preparing their DOT Security Plan. ARA and Asmark said the countermeasures can be used to further hone security at the facility and for the transportation of hazardous materials. “Completing the SVA continues to be beneficial because of the proactive thought process it provokes,” said Amber Duke, vice president of Asmark. To date, more than 8,400 of the original SVAs have been completed. The SVA methodology, developed by Asmark and licensed to ARA, has been determined to meet the Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS) security vulnerability assessment design criteria. Asmark and ARA said retailers should contact their participating state agribusiness association for more information or to register for the new SVA.
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