Keeping on top of security

The current credit crunch has potentially significant security implications that organisations should be wary of. With everyone expected to contribute towards operational cost cutting, there is the danger that the protection of staff, premises and assets may be compromised. For example, regular reviews of security practices and procedures may suffer, allowing chinks in the armour to develop.

In terms of countering possible terrorist action, it’s important to maintain high standards of security, both in terms of the equipment and systems used, as well as the way they are operated, maintained and monitored. Once installed, the natural assumption that systems remain effective can combine with the temptation to overlook or accommodate any shortcomings, leaving employees and buildings exposed to possible attack.

So how can public sector organisations ‘square the circle’ in these financially constrained times? After all, staff with security responsibilities may find themselves more stretched and with a broader range of responsibilities during times of economic uncertainty. The possible additional use of more agency or temporary/contract workers creates issues surrounding continuity and consistency and may open the ‘back door’ to anyone intent on causing harm.

Security audits
To effectively guard against terrorist threats, regular audits and reviews should be an intrinsic part of daily security activities, yet the staff working within an organisation are not always best placed to carry this out. Their subjectivity may hinder this – the syndrome of not being able to see the wood from the trees. Their other tasks/responsibilities might also mean they are insufficiently experienced about the most appropriate and effective technology, processes and related response procedures.

Besides the serious risks posed to public sector staff by ineffectual security, other concerns include the financial, legal and insurance-related implications of a terrorism-related incident. For instance, the consequences range from the harm that can be caused to employees right through to the commercial disruption/losses incurred and the longer-term negative effects on staff morale/turnover, compensation claims, impact on reputation, insurance premium increases and other operational problems that could close down the organisation altogether.

Compared with all these downsides, a security consultancy provides the cost-effective reassurance of expert advice and an objective, unclouded view of the most appropriate solutions to implement. What’s more, restrictions on the depth and breadth of security expertise within both commercial and public organisations, following departmental restructuring, are another drawback that external consultancies can also remedy.

Risk assessment
The first stage in any meaningful security review involves a thorough evaluation of the premises’ geographical location and site configuration, the nature of its activities, its existing security arrangements and related factors such as the organisation’s future operational requirements. For example, a tourist attraction might wish to entice significantly more visitors, which will have an impact on risks and related procedures. As part of this whole process BSIA member security consultancies are keenly aware of the need to cost recommended courses of action in detail, as well as produce an analysis of the savings and tangible benefits they will provide. This information can then, in turn, be used to justify the investment by demonstrating its value in terms of ensuring business continuity and other gains, such as the enhanced efficiency of electronic systems.

The process of reviewing and strengthening external physical defences is an important element within the security audit but it should form one part of what needs to be a multi-pronged strategy. Static equipment such as perimeter fencing can be enhanced through the use of complementary electronic detection devices such as movement sensors, anti-haulage barriers and x-ray equipment.

Holistic solutions
Helping to counter potential terrorist-related action, the security ‘envelope’ around an organisation’s staff, buildings, stock and other assets is best served by an integrated approach. An external security consultancy can help extract best value from these different, but related systems, allowing them to amount to more than the sum of their parts.

Aside from physical and electronic protection is the equally important guarded response to any developing incidents. Technological capabilities enable potential intruders to be detected and identified at an early stage, but the capacity to intervene and intercept at an early stage is a fundamental aspect of reacting to any developing problem on-site. A BSIA security consultancy can analyse existing systems and guarding practices to see how better value could be achieved, for example by interfacing technology with manpower more effectively or by amalgamating several sites into one monitoring facility.

A consultancy can also provide expert advice during a construction or refurbishment project to ensure security measures are designed in at this stage. The alternative, involving a piecemeal application of various protective solutions, compromises their effectiveness and exposes an organisation to legal challenges under health and safety legislation.

With the UK’s threat level now at substantial and security remaining an important issue for British business, now is a good time to invest in a security consultancy. A BSIA member security consultancy service can reduce costs by protecting premises against terrorism and safeguarding staff using the most cost effective and appropriate combination of systems and manpower.

For more information
Web: www.bsia.co.uk
E-mail: info@bsia.co.uk
Tel: 0845 389 3889