Rural Security Planning:

Protecting Family, Friends and Farm

• What would happen if…– Your barn caught fire?

– Someone was stealing your ammonia?

– Your grain became contaminated?

– Your livestock operation was put under quarantine?

• Don’t know the answers?– In this presentation you'll learn:

• How to help emergency responders react to a disaster in progress

• How to secure your farm and family

against those wishing to do harm

• Relatively simple changes or updates on your part can make the difference between:– Life and death– Protection and

destruction of property– Chemical containment

and contamination

• Crime and Pollution insurance coverage

• County emergency address

• Emergency information mailbox

• Pesticides in one location

• Emergency responder's tour

Cover the Basics

Cover the basics:

Crime and Pollution Insurance Coverage

• Your insurance policy may not cover:– Injuries of trespassers on your property– Farm chemical spills– Destruction due to methamphetamine

production– Vandalism to your property

Cover the basics:

Crime and Pollution Insurance Coverage

• How to handle it:– Review your coverage with your insurance

agent• Discuss specific exclusions and amendments• Cover livestock or high-value crops beyond their

market value• Ask if installing security measures would lower

your premium• GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING

Cover the basics:

County Emergency Address

• 911 emergency addresses are critical for emergency responders– To locate emergency sites

as quickly as possible

• Your address should be:– In 3 inch reflective

numerals– On BOTH sides of your

mailbox

Cover the Basics:

Emergency Information Mailbox

• A well-hidden mailbox can provide emergency information to first responders. It should contain:– Detailed map of the farm– A list of emergency contact persons and their

phone numbers– Locations of hazardous chemicals– A list of major contents of each building

Cover the basics:

Pesticides in one Location

• Store all chemicals in one building– Always return leftover

pesticides to the same location

– Secure against theft– Fire resistant location

• Mark the building location clearly on a farm map

Cover the basics:

Emergency Responder Tour

• Invite local emergency responders to your farm and show them:– Water mains– Electricity control boxes– Fuel and chemical supplies– Your emergency mailbox– Livestock– Other important areas or concerns

Cover the Basics:

Emergency Documentation

• The farm map: What you will see

• Developing your map• Buildings and

contents: Where things are stored

• Contact numbers: Whom to call

Cover the Basics:

Emergency Documentation

• The Farm Map: What You Will See– Draw a map and identify vulnerable areas

• Where hazardous chemicals are kept• I.e.... Pesticides, used oil, fuel• Creeks, wetlands

– Don’t make the map too complicated– Look at your property and ask, “What would

someone want to steal, damage, or contaminate?”

Buildings and Contents

• Number each of your farm buildings

• Cross-reference them to the drawings on your farm map– Describe contents

• Is something valuable inside that would be important to save?

• Types of equipment inside• Location of fuel tanks• Chemical storage areas

Contact Numbers

• Provide a prioritized list of names and numbers– First contact should be someone familiar with

the operation• Someone who could make critical decisions in an

emergency• Someone who can spend money or take action

Security Threats to Farms

• Preplanning for an emergency is one half of protecting your farm.

• Now consider what you have to do to secure your farm against those who wish to purposefully harm your property

• The mischief maker• The trespasser• The thief• The narcotics entrepreneur• The disgruntled employee• The computer hacker• The homegrown extremist• The terrorist

Security Threats to Farms

Security Threats to Farms

• The mischief maker– Many farmers have

had crops, animals, or other property damaged for no good reason.

– To avoid this:• Limit access• Put up “No

Trespassing” signs• Strategic lighting

Security Threats to Farms

• The trespasser– Jogger– Mushroom hunter– Snowmobiler– Not permitted hunter

• How to avoid them:– Put up no

trespassing signs– Develop a good

relationship with neighbors

Security Threats to Farms

• The Thief– The most common

crime on farms– “anything not nailed

down” is a target• Tools• Fertilizers• Pesticides

• How to stop them:– Keep tabs on your

inventory– Use up-to-date security

measures

Security Threats to Farms

• The Narcotics Entrepreneur– Anhydrous ammonia

makes methamphetamines– Monetary loss less of a

concern than• damaged tanks

• ammonia release

• Consult ammonia supplier and plan

• Watch for “drug litter”

Security Threats to Farms

• The Disgruntled Employee– Ask insurance agent about “employee

dishonesty coverage”– Consider changing locks– Establish inspection times for farm areas

• If an employee complains– If can’t change situation, just listening may

help.

Security Threats to Farms

• The Computer Hacker– Can destroy years worth of data

• Crop records• Financial records

• How to avoid them:– Make a hard copy of your computerized work– Store it in a safe location away from the farm– Update virus patterns weekly– Do not connect the computer that you store personal

and farm records to the internet

Security Threats to Farms

• The Homegrown Extremist– release of animals from captivity– destroy genetically modified plants

• How to avoid them:– better security – place your vulnerable property in secure

areas– check your insurance coverage

Security Threats to Farms

• The Terrorist– Has political/idealistic goals– May not be deterred by risk of punishment– May damage agricultural production and

processing facilities

• How to avoid them – Report outbreaks of diseases– Be vigilant

• Security planning in a nutshell– Prioritize assets and security

– Who are the bad guys?

– View from adversary’s perspective

– Security strategies and measures

– Relative cost of security measures

Prioritize Assets and Security

• Consider the Three Ls– Lock– Light– Limit access

• Protect most important assets first

• Give them best security

Who are Bad Guys?

• Could be former or angry employees

• Extremists or terrorists

• Anyone who you think may purposely want to harm your operation

View from Adversary's Perspective

• Ask yourself:– What would be the

easiest way to:• Steal• Damage• Destroy assets or

property?

• Identify possible targets

Security Strategies and Measures

• Deterrence– Lighting– Dogs

• Detection– Electronic sensors– Nosy neighbors

• Delay– Gates/fences– Locks

Cost of Emergency Measures

• Operational security is FREE!– Educate employees/family

• Be aware of surroundings• Alert them to valuables someone may want to

damage• Make security everyone’s job

• Randomly scout farm & premises

Cost of Emergency Measures

• Electronic security systems– Expensive, but worth it (when protecting valuable

assets)

• Physical barriers– Gates and locks are less expensive, and worth it but

effective

• Guards– Most expensive

• Hire on short-term basis to save

• Farm Security: Where to Begin– Physical Protection planning– Protecting Information– Physical Protection procedures– Physical Security measures– Electronic Security– Chemical Protection– Biosecurity

Physical protection planning

• Arrange to have a security survey conducted

• Use disaster information websites– USDA– EDEN

• Know your insurance coverage

• Develop contingency plans

Protecting Information

• Call law enforcement if you see suspicious activity– Start a neighborhood watch

• Have neighbors pick up mail when you’re away– Do not put your name on the mailbox

• Do not discuss or advertise what you grow/raise

Physical Protection Procedures

• Inventory critical farm assets

• Participate in security training exercises

• Always ask for identification

• Protect your PCs

Physical Protection Procedures

• Deal with employees to ensure security

• Key and lock procedures

• Take care of equipment

Physical Security Measures

• Protect water

• Install security lighting

• Maintain a “clear zone”

• Prevent vehicle access

• Pay attention to gates

Electronic Security

• Door switches

• Motion sensors

• Electronic access control

• Video surveillance

• Backup telephones

Chemical Protection

• Ammonia protection

– Disable equipment

– Secure tanks

• Authorize specific employees to handle chemicals

Biosecurity

• Follow proper biosecurity measures to prevent disease transmission. – Control traffic on and around the farm– Isolate new animals from other animals for at

least 2 weeks– Keep it clean!

• Clean and disinfect all equipment between uses• Control rodents and insects

Reporting Security Events to Authorities

• Employees– Report suspicious activities to you– Keep a visitor log

• If you find evidence of a crime, don’t disturb it!

• Do not try to stop a crime in progress• Call insurance agent

– Call attorney if necessary

Reporting Security Events to Authorities

• Use 5 Ws + H– Who – What – When – Where– Why– How

The Security Conflict

• Who to tell what?– Your main concern is to prevent compromise

of your physical protection system while not impeding fire fighters and responders

– Don't discuss your security information with people who don't need to know.

– Install a "Knox Box"

In Conclusion…

The more information and preparation

before an emergency (or security breach),

the better!

Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access institution

Rural Security Planning: Protecting Family, Friends, and

FarmOther Purdue Pesticide Programs

Publications can be accessed at:http://www.btny.purdue.edu/Pubs/

PPP/PPP-64.pdf