AWWA WSC67791

The use of a Risk Analysis and Management for Critical Asset and Protection (RAMCAP™) analysis, whether by itself or through the use of more familiarindustry tools such as a RAMCAP Consistent VSAT (RC-VSAT) analysis or aRAMCAP Consistent RAM-W (RC-RAM-W) analysis, is the logical next step in theevolutionary sophistication that the sector is taking towards its security needs. This papertakes a brief look at the current evolution of RAMCAP for the water sector and suggestsways that such an analysis can support the industry in making what can be costly capitalinvestments and changes in policy decisions. TheRAMCAP Framework, however, has application to much broader issues facing thesector. The authors suggest that a RAMCAP analysis can be a valuable tool as anintegrated part of a utility's asset management system to focus and inform decisions ofcritically important equipment assets, providing actionable probabilities to suggestmaintenance frequencies, investment changes or operating procedure modifications. In asimilar but very different approach, the RAMCAP Framework can form the structure andfacilitate the language needed to bring together a variety of critical infrastructures in acommunity for a focused analysis of a critical area or region of interest. Realprioritization and effective investment can be made when all parties involved speak acommon language. Finally, RAMCAP can be employed to facilitate the nontraditional water sector issues ofvaluation and standards. The ability ofRAMCAP to describe consequences in real dollar terms to the community can help tomake a defensible case for infrastructure investment and the value of the asset to theregion. In a corollary application, a need is evolving for water sector utilities to be ableto demonstrate and certify that they meet a reasonable baseline level of security for theiroperations. Without a standard, it is virtually impossible to clearlydemonstrate that a level of due diligence has been achieved. The RAMCAP Frameworkand its sector specific guidance go a long way towards the adoption of avoluntary consensus standard for the sector. Includes table.

Product Details

Edition:

Vol. - No.

Published:

04/01/2008

Number of Pages:

65

File Size:

1 file , 2.4 MB