Blog | Ideal Utility Services

Feb22017 by MarketingNo Comments

Ideal’s First Ballistic Barrier Heads for Warmer Weather

From the frigid temperatures and cold winds of Detroit, Michigan to the warm weather and sunny skies of Tampa, Florida, the first ever Ballistic Barrier from Ideal Utility Services has made its way down to the Sunshine State where it's set to be permanently installed this week. But it wasn't as simple as shipping a package. Ideal's first full ballistic barrier was quite the load. Weighing approximately 42,000 lbs. each, five trucks loaded up, drove down and delivered the 454 feet of barrier in just a couple days, trucking through the elements to get to Tampa right on time to start the installation on Tuesday. Check out what the freight looked like before it made its way down south: [caption id="attachment_271" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Ideal Shield's ballistic barrier being shipped[/caption] [caption id="attachment_270"…

Jan302017 by MarketingNo Comments

Take a First Look at Ideal’s Ballistic Barrier

Ballistic Barrier

While Ideal Utility Services' first full ballistic barrier is heading for a lifetime of sunshine and warm weather in Florida, the first ever installed panel from Ideal will remain right here where the Ideal Group was started: Detroit, Michigan. Now, Detroit may not have the heat and the shine of Tampa but when you're looking for the home of a tough, durable, never-say-die product, there isn't a better place on earth than the Motor City. Check out the installation of our first ballistic barrier panel outside of our Detroit campus: [caption id="attachment_260" align="alignnone" width="640"] First Ideal Utility Services ballistic barrier test installation in Detroit, MI[/caption] [caption id="attachment_261" align="alignnone" width="640"] First Ideal Utility Services ballistic barrier test installation in Detroit, MI[/caption] [caption id="attachment_262" align="alignnone" width="640"] First Ideal Utility Services ballistic barrier…

Jun102016 by MarketingNo Comments

How Do Ballistic Barriers Protect Critical Assets from Attacks?

Ballistic Barrier, Ballistic Testing, Critical Asset Protection, Substation Protection

With the passing of North American Electric Reliability Corporation's CIP-014 standard, transmission station and substation owners are installing new and more secure ballistic barriers to protect their bulk power systems including control centers and electrical grids. Directly from NERC, this standard has been put into place to identify and protect Transmission stations and Transmission substations, and their associated primary control centers, that if rendered inoperable or damaged as a result of a physical attack could result in widespread instability, uncontrolled separation, or Cascading within an Interconnection. But how exactly do these barriers protect their critical assets from attacks? Ballistic attacks are the most common form of intrusion on power systems, as it's become quite normal for it to happen all around the world. That is why the Ideal ballistic barrier is up to UL 752 Level 3,4,7, 8…

Jun52016 by MarketingNo Comments

Why Certified UL 752 Ballistic Testing is Crucial for Barriers

Ballistic Barrier, Ballistic Testing, Critical Asset Protection, Substation Protection

Attacks on substations have been happening more and more over the last couple years which was why the change had to happen. That change came in the way of the CIP-014-1 standard, which is a standard that requires transmission owners on the Bulk Power Systems (BPS) to perform risk assessments on their critical transmission stations, substations and primary control centers. While there have been multiple forms of attacks on these stations, the most common has been from sniper attacks which is why standards had to be put into place. That is why the utility security needs to be more than just a concrete wall or chain link fence. Enter, Ideal Utility Service's ballistic barriers. To keep ballistic attacks from penetrating the barriers and reaching or damaging the critical assets, Ideal's…

May252016 by MarketingNo Comments

Custom Designed Ballistic Barriers are More than Just Protective

Ballistic Barrier, Critical Asset Protection, Substation Protection

Appearance matters. That's a fact for just about everything, especially when it comes to the look of your facility. Having an ugly or outdated look can draw bad looks and complaints from local residents and other companies and businesses in the area. That is why, if you're a transmission station owner or utility facility manager, installing a customizable ballistic barrier to protect your critical assets and meet the CIP-014 standard is the way to go. While most barriers have been made from concrete or chainlink fencing, Ideal's ballistic barriers are made from US steel and are available in four different finishes. That includes: Raw Steel Painted Steel Galvanized Powder Coated But that's not the only customizable option that separates our ballistic barrier from the competitors. That would be the ability to install…

May182016 by MarketingNo Comments

The Ideal Solution to Ballistic Barrier Design

Ballistic Barrier, Critical Asset Protection, Substation Protection

With the December 2015 passing of the CIP-014 standard, the critical asset protection industry is about to take off. That means plenty of utility security companies will be creating and manufacturing their own ballistic barriers. But most are creating something similar to what's already been available for years. And we've seen how those designs have done against attacks. Change and innovation is wanted. That is why an Ideal solution to ballistic barrier design is necessary: Made of US Steel Concrete walls and chainlink fences have been what stands between critical assets and terrorist attacks for years now. But not anymore. Our US Steel barriers will protect electric grids and other assets from almost every form of attack. These barriers also give facilities and areas visual obstruction to deter terrorists from their wanted penetration…

May52016 by MarketingNo Comments

What Separates Ideal’s Ballistic Barriers from the Rest?

Ballistic Barrier, Critical Asset Protection, Substation Protection

Thanks to the CIP-014-1 being passed in late 2015, the utility security industry is growing faster than ever. That's especially the case with the production of ballistic barriers. So, what's the difference between one ballistic barrier and any other? What makes Ideal Utility Services' ballistic barriers better than the competitors? Up to the Highest Standards: They meet NERC CIP-014 security requirements for bulk power systems and are Lab Certified UL 752, Level 3,4,7,8 and 10 Ballistics Protection. Ideal's ballistic barriers are also non-flammable, resistant to ramming and ballistics attack, and also have an anti-climb feature to ward off any trespassers. Not Concrete: This may sound like a disadvantage but with the airflow that is crucial for utility areas and power grids, a restrictive barrier like concrete can be a problem. The difference, Ideal's…

Apr262016 by MarketingNo Comments

Utility Security: Why CIP-014 is Important for Everyone

Ballistic Barrier, CIP-014-1, Critical Asset Protection

For anyone working in the utility service and security industry, government mandates towards the industry are always something to keep a close eye on. While most mandates have to do with security or safety and the latest standard that was passed in late January of 2015 is no different. CIP-014 (or Critical Infrastructure Protection) is a physical security standard to identify and protect Transmission stations, substations, and their primary control centers. But why did lawmakers have to step in? CIP-014-1 was necessary after several attacks have taken place over the last couple years on Transmission facilities and power grids. That includes a sniper attack on an Oklahoma substation which caused $1 million in damages as well as an attack on an Arkansas electric grid that left 10,000 people without power.…

Apr212016 by MarketingNo Comments

CIP-014: Who, What, When, Where and Why Ballistic Barriers?

Ballistic Barrier, CIP-014-1

Ballistic barriers, asset protection, barrier protectors, utility protection, critical infrastructure protection. Whatever you want to call it, the CIP-014 standard has taken utility security from a voluntary act for each entity to decide on to a, now, government mandated standard for all investor-owned, independent-owned and public-owned utility agencies. But what else do you know about ballistic barriers and the government mandate of the CIP-014 standard? Here are the 5 W's: Who Utility facilities featuring transmission stations, substations and control centers throughout North America. What Requires transmission owners to perform risk assessments that identify critical transmission stations and substations, and associated primary control centers. Once identified, owners must evaluate for physical threats, develop and implement a security plan. When CIP-014 became effective on January 26th, 2015 but the deadlines for the required goals extend up until August 3rd, 2016. Where Throughout the…

Apr152016 by MarketingNo Comments

Take a Look at Our Ballistic Barrier Mockup

Ballistic Barrier

Thanks to the rise in crime surrounding the utility service industry, Ideal Utility Services has decided to step in and fill a void that has been missing with our new ballistic barriers. Whether it's to protect an electrical grid or control rooms, Ideal's ballistic barriers are a cut above the rest. Take a look at our mockup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rhaGiFAMFE Most asset protection barriers have been made out of concrete in the past but when dealing with an electrical grid, airflow is extremely important. Well, our barriers allow airflow while being able to defend and protect the area from a wide range of ammunition choices, including UL 752 Level 3,4,7 and 8 threats. On top of protection, the barriers will also be custom made so you won't just have a giant gray wall…