BSI launches malicious attack standard

The British Standards Institute (BSI) has launched a Publicly Available Specification (PAS) providing guidance for suppliers on how to prevent malicious tampering with food and drink.

PAS 96 was created by the BSI after it was approached by the Cabinet Office. “There was an awareness that the food supply chain was a good target for someone trying to carry out a malicious attack,” said Anne Hayes, head of market development - sustainability, for the BSI.

The document is billed as “guidance for the deterrence, detection and defeat of ideologically motivated and other forms of malicious attack on food and drink and their supply arrangements”

The key areas covered by PAS 96 include the implications of heightened security response levels; protocol for threat assessment and mitigation; and assuring personnel security. Other areas addressed are best practice for full-time and temporary staff, how to handle distribution and deliveries and robust IT security.

In addition to PAS 96, Hayes said that the BSI was also developing a risk management standard and being asked to provide standards on areas such as crisis management and recoverability.