For the past 20 years, Secure Community Network (SCN) has evolved in how it delivers services to the Jewish community and what those services entail. In June of this year, another milestone was achieved: SCN Community Security Initiatives was given a formal designation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as a Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology.

What does that mean, you ask? The designation, SCN’s June 4 press release explained, “recognizes that the adoption of our security program initiatives, which include SCN’s threat management and information-sharing efforts, assessment processes, training and exercise programs, operational standards, and other actions, qualify as a method to avert terrorism.” SCN is the first faith-based organization in the United States to receive this federal recognition.

I’ve written before about the National Jewish Community Security Standards, which SCN developed as part of its broader, ongoing efforts to build a best-practice, coordinated security architecture for the Jewish community. These standards recommend that organizations provide regular training, collaborate with the community on security intelligence, have their facilities evaluated for security upgrades, document basic operational and security procedures, and other similar activities. Next month, our security program is the first SCN program to be inspected against these standards. The evaluation will assess how well I’m working with our organizations to provide the opportunities to meet those best-practice standards. I’ll write more about that in my next column. The designation places SCN in the company of a select group of technology firms, defense contractors, security specialists, and facilities that host critical events and possess capabilities DHS has determined are effective in preventing acts of terrorism.

By meeting SCN’s standards, organizations can feel confident they are taking the steps that meet the highest federal standards for anti-terrorism effectiveness. Additionally, in the event of a terrorist attack, claims against SCN and its partner organizations related to SCN-designated services are capped at DHS-determined insurance levels. Organizations may also be shielded from punitive damages, and legal actions are limited to federal court, ensuring the minimization of costly legal fees. Insurance carriers view SAFETY Act Designation holders as lower risk, which can lead to cost savings on liability insurance premiums for partner organizations who use SCN’s services.

If you’re an organizational leader, I’m always ready to work with you to review and formalize your security program. You should talk with your insurance provider about potential cost savings, and I will work with you to demonstrate your adherence to the security program best practices. I can always be reached at [email protected].