March 14, 2002 -- A crucial aspect of following through on Sept. 11 is to protect the nation's utilities.
A new era in utility infrastructure protection has been developed and is now being made available by ATOG, a U.S.- based anti-terrorist operations consulting group. ATOG assists public and private owners of critical utility infrastructure in assessing vulnerabilities related to potential criminal and terrorist activity.
ATOG's security and utility operations experts prioritize these vulnerabilities, make concrete recommendations to counter and mitigate the risks, and assist in implementing recommended security strategies.
ATOG's team of veteran utility and physical security professionals has the experience to understand and effectively handle the complex risks utilities face in today's high threat environment. ATOG's team includes individuals who have dedicated their lives to public service and whose expertise can provide utilities with critical and valuable products based on their experiences.
Team members include individuals whose careers have been focused on counterterrorism, counterespionage, threat assessments and vulnerability analysis while serving with the CIA, FBI, FEMA, the National Security Agency, the United States Congress, the United States Marshal Service and the Department of State, Energy and Defense.
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, ATOG's seasoned management team is led by Don Buzzelli, founder and CEO. Buzzelli has over 30 years of business experience and is a former officer in the U.S. Army Special Forces, serving in Vietnam. Buzzelli has trained foreign officers in counterinsurgency, operations, tactics, and survival.
"An act of terrorism against a utility is now foreseeable and 'Foreseeability' determines liability," states Buzzelli. "National and international terrorist organizations, whose goals include the disruption of the American economy and day-to-day life, are well aware of the inherent vulnerabilities of the nation's vast utilities systems. Historically, after human beings, public infrastructure is the target of choice for terrorists."
"This team's experience, knowledge and dedication is a valuable asset that is now available to utilities," states, Robert Charles former counsel and staff director to the U.S. House National Security Subcommittee. "The ability of this team to provide strategic analysis of facility security procedures and policies; develop recommendations for enhancing security assistance with the integration, implementation and management of those recommendations is unmatched. ATOG now serves as the premier provider of strategic consulting services relating to all aspects of utility infrastructure security and serves as a cost-effective alternative to in-house resources."
ATOG employs advanced security risk assessment methodologies to expose vulnerabilities and prescribe innovative security measures to ensure maximum uptime and seamless system operation. ATOG cross-applies best practices to ensure each client gains maximum benefit from "state-of-the-art" protections and procedures.
