UK National Nuclear Laboratory and ARES Software UK Announce Collaboration Agreement to Enhance Security for United Kingdom's Nuclear Facilities

LONDON, April 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- UK National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) and ARES Software UK (ARES) are pleased to announce the signing of a major partnership agreement in the field of security software. In addition, NNL has undertaken the first application of ARES AVERT software outside the United States.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120426/SF95940)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120424/SF93531LOGO)

AVERT allows organisations to simulate both an attack on a facility - such as a military installation, airport or nuclear plant - and also to simulate possible responses of security forces and physical protection equipment. The event scenario can be visualised from the viewpoint of attackers, defenders or other perspectives, such as any CCTV camera locations. AVERT also allows a quantitative assessment of the security response, allowing different approaches to be compared.

NNL has worked with ARES to test and develop the AVERT product to simulate potential assaults on NNL's own Central Laboratory facility on the Sellafield site in Cumbria - the first such application outside the US. NNL and ARES will work together to offer this product to nuclear and other key sectors where defence against terrorist or similar threats is a major consideration.

The agreement was announced in London by NNL Managing Director Paul Howarth and ARES Corporation President Dr. William Vantine. "I'm delighted to announce this major step forward today with the signing of our collaboration agreement with ARES. Security issues have rarely been higher up the agenda and our work with ARES has allowed both organisations to bring our key expertise and capability in our respective fields to develop a superb solution," said Paul Howarth. "We are working together to bring this solution to the market and I am confident that we'll be successful - both in the nuclear field and in other key sectors where security is paramount."

"Our mutual vision for securing Nuclear Facilities is to take a risk informed approach to decisions regarding Security Operations and Capital Expenditures," commented Bill Vantine. "We are delighted to partner with NNL to ensure this vision becomes a reality for the benefit of UK's nuclear facilities and other key infrastructure."

Notes for Editors

National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL)

The UK's National Nuclear Laboratory is a leading nuclear technology services provider. The business specialises in providing customers with tailored solutions by applying the right level of technical innovation and intellectual support. For more information, visit www.nnl.co.uk.

We provide services to customers across three key areas:

• Fuel Cycle Solutions – provides fundamental technical solutions to the nuclear industry including fuel cycle performance and technology development, spent fuel disposition, plant integrity and inspections, nuclear security, safety management, engineering services and modelling and simulation.
• Waste Management and Decommissioning – provides products and services to help customers reduce their through life liabilities via the development and application of technologies and techniques that assist with the decommissioning of nuclear facilities. Key services include environmental management, measurement and analysis, effluent management, waste management and processing, and immobilsation technology
• Reactor Operations Support – provides support to customers in areas such as post-irradiation examination of reactor fuel and components. Key services include endoscopy, fuel and graphite performance, metallography, post-irradiation examination and power station chemistry.

ARES Software UK Ltd

ARES Software UK Ltd, a subsidiary of ARES Holding Company, is a world-class provider of integrated project management and security solutions. Organizations in more than 50 countries rely on ARES Software applications to manage the engineering and construction of capital projects and security vulnerability assessment of their facilities to lower cost, mitigate risk and project performance. Our customers include 4 of the 5 top defence agencies, 8 of the top 10 mining companies and countless energy, oil and gas, aerospace and engineering and construction firms from around the world. With more than 95% repeat business each year, ARES is a results-oriented business partner with a drive towards 100% customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.arescorporation.com/security.

SOURCE ARES Software UK Ltd