Impact of Tabletop Exercise Results on PPS Design

A successful and integrated planning approach by site physical protection organizations to a multitude of threat scenarios must be comprehensive. Effective system implementation and effective response requires intensive coordination and cooperation between all diverse elements involved in total site protection. To prepare an ensured, effective response to a threat, site security planners must have a thorough understanding of processes, protection strategies, tactics, protection systems, and procedures of both on-site and off-site resources. Use of the tabletop methodology in Belarus resulted in a robust, technically sound design for physical protection system upgrades at the site. Further evaluation of the designed technical upgrades’ effectiveness using the tabletop methodology was performed. The site realized that, although the technical design was good, adjustments were also needed related to protective force enhancements. Implementation of technical improvements alone does not ensure protective forces will be able to respond effectively to a threat. Protective force personnel must fully understand their procedures, roles, responsibilities, and know how to fight as a team to successfully interrupt adversary actions and/or to neutralize threats. Furthermore, some experts agree that it is not desirable for just the protective force commander to have an understanding of the plan. Sufficient knowledge of the plan should be taught to protective force personnel to allow them to carry on the plan within their sectors of responsibility in the event of communications failures or loss of their commander. This paper will discuss the use of tabletop simulation modeling at a site in Belarus and the positive impacts of the exercise results on physical protection system design and protective force planning and enhancements.