Alan Robinson, director of protection and security services and emergency management for Atlantic Health System, was recently appointed to the New Jersey Domestic Security Preparedness Task Force, which is the state’s cabinet-level body responsible for setting homeland security and domestic preparedness policy.

The task force's activities are designed to reinforce and expand New Jersey's existing antiterrorism efforts by enhancing and integrating security, planning and preparedness measures throughout the state – an important role for all health care facilities, which are considered to be a soft target for terrorism, Robinson said in an Atlantic Health press release.

Atlantic Health System was also ranked 4th in a list of 81 hospitals selected by Security Magazine in its annual survey of companies throughout the United States with the best security programs. The 2012 ranking is the fifth consecutive time Atlantic Health System has been named to the Security 500, and the third time it has been named among the top 10 hospitals/medical centers.

Atlantic Health System’s “Red Cell” program, in which hospital security finds vulnerabilities in security by attempting to thwart it, was recognized by the Joint Commission in 2012 as one of the best practices in health care security.

According to the press release, Gov. Chris Christie nominated Robinson for the position and the state Senate confirmed the appointment in May.