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CORDON™: Crowded-Place Security Risk Analysis

CORDON grades a crowded place on one scale, from AAA to D, for risk to life and financial loss across nine attack modes. It names the drivers behind each grade and ranks the measures that improve it the most.

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Which threats matter here, and how much?

  • Nine attack modes, from vehicle ramming to civil unrest
  • 38 facility types across ten sectors
  • Ranked measures with the grade each one buys
  • One-page grade card for owners and boards
  • Portfolio screening across many sites

CORDON produces screening results. Design decisions rest on an engineer-reviewed report. Methods are documented in PNH methodologies and described here at a high level only.

CORDON grade scale and attack modes
CORDON grade scale from D to AAA, with the nine attack modes it gradesEight-step CORDON grade scale from D, higher risk, to AAA, lower risk, and nine attack-mode icons: vehicle ramming, vehicle bomb, person-borne explosives, firearm, edged weapon, drone, chemical or biological release, arson and civil unrest. ONE GRADE D CCC B BB BBB A AA AAA Higher risk Lower risk NINE ATTACK MODES Vehicle ramming Vehicle bomb Person-borne explosives Firearm Edged weapon Drone Chemical or biological Arson Civil unrest One grade across nine attack modes. Screening informs design; an engineer-reviewed report decides it.
One grade from D to AAA across nine attack modes, from vehicle ramming to civil unrest.
Sample grade card, fictional example
Fictional example of a CORDON one-page grade card: overall grade, main drivers, grade by attack mode and ranked measuresIllustrative mockup of a CORDON grade card for a fictional large shopping center: overall grade BB, main drivers vehicle ramming and vehicle bomb, a letter grade for each of nine attack modes, and three ranked measures with the grade after each step. Fictional data, not a real site. CORDON Grade card FICTIONAL EXAMPLE Fictional facility: large shopping center with an open-air plaza BB Overall grade Screening estimate MAIN DRIVERS Vehicle ramming Vehicle bomb Vehicles reaching the plaza edge drive most of the risk. GRADE BY ATTACK MODE BB Vehicle ramming BBB Vehicle bomb A Person-borne explosives A Firearm AA Edged weapon AA Drone AAA Chemical or biological AA Arson AAA Civil unrest RANKED MEASURES AND THE GRADE EACH ONE BUYS BB Today Measures in place today BBB Measure 1 Right-sized vehicle barrier line on the main plaza approach A Measure 2 Vehicle screening at the service entrance AA Measure 3 Lockdown plan and staff drills Fictional example. Not a real site. Grades are illustrative. A screening estimate informs the design; an engineer-reviewed report decides it.
Fictional example of the one-page grade card owners and boards receive: one grade, its drivers and the grade each measure buys.

Talk to PNH About CORDON

Send us the site and the deadline. A short note on the site, what concerns you and when the tender or decision is due is enough to start. We reply within one business day.

  • The siteAn address, a site plan or a few photos.
  • The concernThe threat question, an incident or a client requirement.
  • The criteriaAny standard or client specification that applies.
  • The dateWhen the tender, review or decision is due.

Email pnhsec@pnhsec.com or call +1-818-253-9557

Thank you. PNH will reply within one business day.