AMAG Technology Does its Part in the Fight against Terrorism
The BPDF focuses on biopharmaceutical process research, development, and manufacturing
of vaccines and biotherapeutics derived from recombinants expression systems. They
are recognized as the leading expert in the recombinant expression system, Pichia
pastoris, which is used to express the botulism vaccines. UNL is one of the few
universities working in the area of recombinant proteins for vaccines against various
strains of botulism which was weaponized by Iraq in the early 1990s and posses a
threat today.
Othmer Hall is a brand new 133,000 square-foot four story building
dedicated to chemical engineering. Othmer Hall was a component of a $125 million
dollar donation to UNL by the Donald and Mildred Othmer Trust Fund. The BPDF has
11 distinct units located in Othmer Hall: Molecular Biology, Fermentation Development,
Purification Development, Cell Culture Development, Analytical Methods, Protein
Characterization, Quality Control-Chemistry, Quality Control-Microbiology, Master
Cell Banking, cGMP Pilot Plant, and Quality Assurance.
The BPDF houses all of it research and development laboratories on the third floor
of Othmer Hall, with additional labs on both the first floor and lower level. The
labs contain over $4 million worth of equipment, and priceless proprietary client
documentation. The BPDF maintains cell lines from past and current clients with
an estimated value of $20 million. This sensitive data and expensive equipment required the BPDF to install a state-of-the-art security management system to protect research
findings, lab experiments, and materials. When UNL’s BPDF performs work for the
Department of the Interior, Pentagon and the biotech industry, high-level security
is a necessity.
Mike Meagher, Ph.D., Donald and Mildred Othmer Distinguished Professor of Chemical
Engineering and Founder and Director of UNL Biological Process Development Facility,
oversee the BPDF. An AMAG access control system secures a parking structure on campus
and it was highly recommended that Meagher look into a similar system for the BPDF.
After reviewing the system, Meagher agreed and chose a Symmetry Homeland security
management system (SMS). Symmetry Homeland is an enhanced version of the standard
AMAG SMS, designed for government agencies utilizing smartcards.
Meagher also chose AMAG because of its extensive government experience. AMAG Technology
not only provided a quality product to secure extensive research and clinical trials
the BPDF performs, but AMAG also protects several government agencies including
the Pentagon. With references like that, Meagher knew he could trust Symmetry Homeland
to protect his assets, documentation and staff.
“This facility competes with other institutions for government
grants and federal monies,” said Matt McCoy, Senior Security Consultant, Security
Equipment, Inc. (SEi). “It was their desire to have a secure facility using the
most modern and encrypted technology available at the time. Symmetry Homeland Security (formerly SEIWG) was especially attractive to them because of the funding
they receive from the Department of Defense and other government entities. The fact
that AMAG could comply with that specification was key.”
The access control software allows Meagher’s staff to establish control and monitor
access on any door on any floor of Othmer Hall. As more labs are added, the system
easily expands.
“I needed a computer based system that can grow with me,” said Meagher. “Because
of the nature of the work we do, security has to be under my control.”
Meagher has trusted his Quality Assurance Staff with the responsibility of controlling
access into the BPDF. His staff administers access control smart cards cards to
students and staff. Meagher’s own IT staff oversees the administration of the security
management system, monitors cameras and maintains an up-to-date database. Cardholders
are charged a fee to issue a replacement access credential so they are less likely
to lose their smart card. If a card is lost, it can easily be deactivated. This
benefit alone provides Meagher a flexibility he requires, along with its ease of
use.
“Smart cards were chosen because the BPDF wanted to be ahead of the competition
in terms of technology,” said McCoy.
Another example of flexibility is how the system manages contractors. For example,
a contractor can be allowed access to the lab to perform work. After the contractor’s
preassigned time has expired, the contactor’s access is automatically terminated
by the SMS. This function of the SMS provides peace of mind and a simple way to
control access.
Small Silent Witness cameras are located at the three main floor entrances monitoring
all activity. A camera also monitors a second floor room used for crucial storage,
and an additional lab on the first floor. The cameras record all entrances and exits
so the BPDF IT staff knows who is entering and leaving at all times. All images
are transferred via an Integral digital video recorder to the server. If a problem
occurs, it’s easy to investigate and determine who was in the labs and when they
were there.
Approximately 55 people have access to the BPDF including graduate students and
staff.
Biometric Technology
All entrances to the third floor labs, main elevator, and freight elevator utilize
a biometric fingerprint reader. Meagher choose the biometric reader technology because
he was concerned about personal identification number (PIN) information getting
into the wrong hands.
“I didn’t want to worry about a card getting stolen and the person getting a PIN
number,” said Meagher.
A good security practice is to periodically change all cardholder PINs, however,
that was an ongoing program that Meagher did not have time to administrate. Eliminating
PINs eliminated worry and the possibility for human error. “Having the biometric
scanner makes it so much easier,” he said. No one loses a fingerprint.
Once inside the BDPF, students can enter labs to perform their work based on the
access rights programmed into their smart cards and monitored by the SMS. Not all
students have access rights assigned to their cards that would allow them to enter
all labs.
The IT Department is located in a room within the third floor lab. The security
system and server sit within that room and an additional smart card reader is stationed
at the door to control access.
Thrilled with the SMS
Security Equipment, Inc. (SEi) worked closely with Meagher and
installed the SMS system in the BPDF. SEi, based in Omaha, Nebraska with satellite
offices in Lincoln, Nebraska, Des Moines, Iowa and Kansas City, Kansas is a full-service
security systems integrator offering commercial fire and intrusion alarm systems,
U L listed central station monitoring services, closed circuit television, and access
control systems.
The security system works well, and has a great ability to track activity.
It is difficult for Meagher to measure in dollars what their return on investment
(ROI) is for the SMS. A return of “sense of security and sense of well-being, as
well as a presentation to the client” is the best way to measure the ROI.
“My clients are impressed with the system…it provides a comfort to my clients to
know their ongoing work is happening in a secure, restricted area. It helps a lot
from a comfort level with federal and industrial clients,” said Meagher.
The BPDF plans to expand their security management system on the first floor and
the entire lower level in the next few years.
Specifications
- 200 cardholders
- 55- AMAG S711 smart card readers
- 4- AMAG S813 fingerprint/smartcard/pinpad reader
- 4- M2100 DBU-20K-Kit-SWG
- 8-M2100-4DCU-Kit-SWG
- 6-M2100-4DCR-SWG
- Digital Video Recorder – Integral Technologies