ASIS Int’l (ASIS) has issued guidelines it says will help businesses and other private institutions respond to advisories issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). ASIS’ Threat Advisory System Response Draft Guideline (TASR), released Nov. 24, is now up for a public review and comment period that ends Jan. 24.

“I cannot overemphasize what this represents to us in terms of in trying to understand what the private sector is doing to protect themselves,” Robert Liscouski, DHS assistant secretary for infrastructure protection, said at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., where the guidelines were introduced. “From my point of view, it demonstrates the partnership we’re trying to build to help solve the problems.”

Within the guidelines are step-by-step procedures businesses should take for each terror threat level, whether it is “Green/Low,” “Blue/Guarded,” “Yellow/Elevated,” “Orange/High” or “Red/Severe.” For example, one of the guidelines during a Red threat level is to “Be prepared to close the facility, protect assets, and shut down equipment and systems in the event of evacuation. Discuss ahead of time who, if anyone, will remain behind to protect and monitor facility. Determine how and when facility will be re-opened.”

The guidelines are available for review at www.asisonline.org. Also included is a comment form that can be completed and submitted electronically, or downloaded and faxed to (703) 518-1517.

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