SAFETY Act Protection Matters

SAFETY Act Protection Matters for Security Technology

In the evolving landscape of security and anti-terrorism technologies, innovation comes with significant liability concerns. “SAFETY Act protection matters,” as organizations developing cutting-edge solutions to protect critical infrastructure, public venues, and communities face a challenging reality: the very technologies designed to save lives can expose providers to substantial legal and financial risk if deployed during a terrorist event.

This is why Congress enacted the Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies (SAFETY) Act in 2002. The legislation removes barriers that prevent life-saving technologies from reaching the market by providing liability protections to qualified anti-terrorism technology sellers.

Levels of Protection

The SAFETY Act offers Designation as well as Certification to provide validated liability coverage from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

SAFETY Act Designation provides limited liability for third-party claims arising from terrorist attacks, immunity from punitive damages, and exclusive federal court jurisdiction. Technologies receive five-year protection with renewal options, and the organization can display official DHS and SAFETY Act seals on marketing materials, a powerful differentiator in competitive markets.

SAFETY Act Certification builds upon Designation by allowing sellers to assert the government contractor defense, which immunizes them from terrorism-related liability claims. Technologies with Certification signals rigorous compliance with standards.

Strategic Advantages Beyond Liability

Federal agencies actively favor and sometimes require SAFETY Act-protected technologies. For suppliers, that’s a direct path to competitive advantage. Suppliers, vendors, distributors, and end-users of protected technologies may receive lower insurance premiums, making procurement decisions easier for stakeholders to deploy solutions at stadiums, schools, critical infrastructure, etc. Within the anti-terror community, these protections enable confident deployment of proven security solutions.

GSIS Overview

Global Security Innovative Strategies (GSIS) is an integrated security and management consulting firm headquartered in Washington, DC. GSIS was founded by senior national security experts and internationally recognized professionals to provide unique insights, security solutions, and operational expertise to governments, corporations, academic institutions, individuals, and not-for-profits. GSIS advises international partners, the US Government, and private industry about emerging security technology, defense-in-depth strategy implementation, crisis and consequence management, business continuity planning, and management transformation. GSIS provides a unique approach to solving asymmetrical challenges.

GSIS guides clients through the SAFETY Act application process. We collaborate with the DHS Office of SAFETY Act Implementation (OSAI) to ensure requirements are addressed and applications are successful. We work closely with our clients to prepare applications that reflect the technical, operational, and security value of their anti-terrorism technology. These protections help organizations expand life-saving solutions and manage liability considerations.

For companies exploring DHS SAFETY Act Designation and/or Certification as part of your risk management strategy, contact at info@gsis.us or (202) 888-2360.

Written by:

GSIS is a member of the “Community of Experts” of the Active Shooter Prevention Project (ASPP), LLC

Posted by:

Chris Grollnek, Senior Advisor

Active Shooter Expert