In fact, says Tony Murray, director of information services at Washington Quality Foods, the biggest impact of the Bioterrorism Act has been investment in plant security. This included a three-phase plan to increase security as well as operator training and screening. The plan called for replacement of the current guard service with more secure identity assurance and intrusion deterrent technology.
In the second phase just completed, Washington is increasing security around the fence covering twenty acres of the site. It is wired to detect intrusion and tied to an alarm system, lights, and a pan-zoom-tilt camera system. The cost of this phase was more than $60,000.
Phase three is expected to cost between $20,000-$30,000. It will include separate gate access for employees and another for suppliers, transporters, and customers. Employee access will be through some form of identity assurance. Other accesses will have cameras and communications, with access controlled remotely by the receiving department.