In an era of heightened security threats both domestically and abroad, U.S. Government organizations charged with security oversight and compliance programs must expend more time and resources than ever before to ensure that appropriate security protection elements are in place.The changing threat spectrum caused by the September 11, 2001, attack and the United States’ ongoing war against terrorism has necessitated that the Federal Government raise the levels of protection for Federal and civilian employees and the general public in light of renewed threats from terrorists both at home and abroad. This heightened security will require a broader and more sophisticated approach to assessing threats, establishing new Design Basis Threat characteristics, designing a more aggressive inspection and compliance program, and developing and deploying new technology designed to detect, assess, delay, and defeat terrorist acts.
These challenges come at a time when leadership and technical security expertise are diminishing due to the retirement eligibility status of nearly half the incumbent Federal workforce and programs designed to reduce the size of the Federal workforce. Given the current and future limited availability of experienced and qualified Federal security staff resources to meet the growing threat issues, government organizations must rely on the use of qualified contractor security support services personnel to supplement their in-house capabilities.
ATL—Knowledge, Experience & Leadership Advanced Technologies and Laboratories International, Inc. (ATL) has assembled a unique team of experienced safeguards and security managers and support staff that possesses extensive professional experience and can respond to a broad range of security support needs. ATL’s seasoned staff provides innovative, comprehensive analyses of current security program capabilities and deficiencies, and measures them against a revised threat spectrum.
ATL security managers and technical experts provide comprehensive analysis of relevant security issues. For example, with respect to physical security protection planning, traditional threat scenarios have been limited to a definitive set of established variables as part of the counter-terrorism planning strategy. In the past, these strategies have typically not included those fanatical terrorists who may possess nuclear weapon capabilities and a strong commitment to accomplish their objectives. It is obvious that current security planning must factor in a much broader range of potential risks and consequences than has been considered in the past. The current domestic security climate is much different in the United States than it was prior to September 11, and past protection planning may no longer provide acceptable risk versus consequence considerations.
Other types of important security risks include information security, cyber security, and/or access authorization (clearance program) determinations. These potential risks may require that qualified security professionals provide updated evaluation and assessment to determine the proper level of protection needed to safeguard classified information and defend against unauthorized access to key components and vital facilities.
ATL’s approach is to team traditional security experts, program/operations managers, and technical experts from different disciplines to measure and analyze the consequences of a broad range of threat variables. ATL will then develop recommendations that embrace the full range of programmatic, operational, health and safety, and safeguards and security points of view relative to a specific vulnerability or concern.
This balanced, multi-disciplinary approach to security protection planning, analysis, and corrective action formulation ensures that all factors involved in implementing appropriate security protection measures are considered in light of other key facets of program operations. It also ensures that final decisions are made at the proper level of responsible Federal program management. In addition, ATL and its teaming partners can perform related security support functions including protective force operations and management, materials control and accountability inventory and assessments, and emergency preparedness operations.
ATL is also postured to provide support to specific “countering terrorist operations” such as pre-incident planning and risk management analyses, and the development of “First Responder” procedures, training, and specialized equipment. In addition, ATL possesses the technical resources and equipment (including a mobile laboratory) to identify potential environmental hazards through the deployment of hazards detection and monitoring technology systems and to conduct post-incident emergency management training as required.
ATL is woman-owned small disadvantaged business that is qualified for GSA Federal Supply Schedules. This enables ATL to provide its services to government clients on an accelerated basis often free of competitive solicitation requirements. ATL serves over 100 different clients and was awarded the 2001 Small Business Administration’s Excellence Award. ATL is headquartered in Germantown, Maryland, with support offices in Richland, Washington; Albuquerque and Los Alamos, New Mexico; and Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
The ATL Experience Factor ATL provides a range of safeguards and security and emergency management support services to the Federal Government. Specific tasks and duties include:
