BergerWorld: 2nd Quarter 2004

Since the early 1990s, Berger has focused on security engineering as a crucial element of nearly every design. As a number of terrorist attacks, including the first World Trade Center bombing, the sarin gas attack in the Tokyo subway and the bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, damaged buildings and injured civilians, the Berger Group and others recognized a growing need to design infrastructure which could withstand such attacks.

Since the first structures were constructed, the protection of the building from intruders through locks, fortifications, moats and guard posts has been a typical aspect of design. However, with the changing threats of terrorism, new designs have focused additional attention on threat mitigation and properly identifying and limiting vulnerable areas. Berger has focused on three distinct areas of security engineering and building improvements to address these threats; namely physical security, including crash resistant and explosive resistant designs; technical security, including limiting intruders through integrated security systems and careful monitoring and protecting ventilation systems from chemical or biological attack; and cyber-security, including protecting computer systems from attack.

Berger now considers the security and potential threat aspects for all design projects, including many that previously had limited protections other than locking doors and restricting access. Berger's dedicated security specialists have also conducted numerous threat assessments for existing structures, including bridges, transit systems, tunnels, airports and buildings. Many times, the Team is able to suggest low-tech improvements which provide additional security without overly straining budgets or necessitating time-consuming construction.

Berger's security mindset has already assisted a number of clients to ensure that their facilities are protected against a variety of threats, providing peace of mind by using simple and cost-effective techniques.