Chubb Holds N.J. Security Seminar

Chubb said 41 officials from around the state attended the seminar designed to assist law enforcement and other emergency service agencies in conducting security surveys of both government and industrial facilities around the state.

Eight loss control specialists from Chubb explained how they detect security breaches and threats associated with buildings, their surroundings, company employees, the use of the Internet, chemicals and shipping cargo, the company said.

The specialists discussed the steps involved in a security evaluation, a broad range of best security practices and protection systems that should be in place at businesses, and disaster planning and recovery techniques.

Chubb also arranged for two authorities on burglar alarms and safes to address the group.

In October, the state enacted the New Jersey Domestic Security Preparedness Act, establishing the Domestic Security Preparedness Task Force to coordinate statewide anti-terrorism efforts.

The group, composed of state officials from law enforcement, transportation, health and emergency management, seeks cooperation between the public and private sectors in assessing risks and developing and implementing preparedness, response and recovery plans.

The task force is supported by a private-industry Infrastructure Advisory Committee. Chubb's Victor Sordillo, global loss control technical services manager for Chubb Commercial Insurance, serves along with representatives from the state's utilities, energy, transportation, health care, chemical, financial, pharmaceutical and other critical infrastructure industries.

Mr. Sordillo said the seminar was the first of its kind in the nation. John Degnan, president of Chubb and a former New Jersey attorney general, added that the program is a model for other states. A company spokesman said that there are no plans at the moment to extend the program outside of New Jersey.

In addition to holding the seminar, Chubb said it is assisting the task force with developing best practices for site security across different industries.

The insurer said it has provided the task force with loss prevention and risk analysis tools it uses in underwriting insurance policies. These include risk management reviews for workplace violence, network security, and burglary and fire protection.