ExpertiseTactical operations simulation

The Problem
Safeguarding sensitive and high profile facilities is a mission-critical task for any organization. How can managers and operators ensure the security of their facilities in a world of changing threats and how can protective force personnel train effectively in a world of limited budgets?

Background
No program designed expressly for the purpose of tactical security simulation and analysis exists today. Security planners use a variety of programs originally designed for battalion-level combat simulation, notably the Joint Tactical Simulation (JTS) and the Joint Conflict and Tactical Simulation (JCATS). Over the years, both JTS and JCATS have been modified to attempt to meet the needs of tactical security planners.

At its core, JCATS is a two-dimensional (2D) simulation system—a battalion-level combat simulation does not need to account for three-dimensional (3D) structures. This has made it necessary for JCATS engineers to extend the 2D system with a variety of 3D-like extensions in order to address the needs of tactical security simulation, in which 3D structures matter a great deal.

The Solution
The solution to these issues is the development—from the ground up—of a tactical security simulation and analysis tool designed specifically to enable managers of sensitive and high profile facilities and operations to conduct security training and risk assessment with greater speed, safety, and objectivity than is possible with current offerings. Unlike existing security simulation tools, the platform uses state-of-the-art visualization and physics simulation software to provide a high-fidelity, immersive experience to participants and decision-makers.

The goal of such a tool is to provide a complete tactical simulation tool integrating and addressing multiple phases of physical security, including:

• Vulnerability assessment
• Tactical simulation
• Security training

When complete, this tool will reduce the time required to create and approve facility security plans and increase the reliability of the data contained within and generated by them through:

• Augmenting and automating human effort throughout the security analysis process
• Reducing the subjectivity inherent in the current process
• Increasing the fidelity of the underlying data used in the process
• Increasing the speed, ease, and effectiveness of conveying results to decision makers

A core element in achieving these goals is to base this tool on a highly accurate 3D representation of the environment being simulated. For example, instead of a multi-story structure consisting of layers, with participants "transported" between them as needed, such a structure will consist of the walls, floors, ceilings, and contents as in the actual structure itself. Participants will move between floors using stairs, elevators, or other means as appropriate and possible.

The result of this development effort will be a highly flexible, engaging, and cost-effective platform for ongoing security assessment and compliance.