A Safe Workplace: Security Element

Providing a safe and secure workplace requires facilities managers and senior executives to critically evaluate the level of security measures needed to reduce the physical risks and vulnerabilities of their buildings. This calls for a comprehensive planning approach.

There are generally three categories of security safeguards to look at in any given situation depending on requirements. They are physical security, information security, and operational security. Physical security involves action taken to protect lives and property against potential threats. This may include active and/or passive measures. Passive measures will include effective use of architecture, landscaping, and lighting to improve security. This is done to deter, disrupt, or mitigate against any danger. Active measures involve using systems and technology to detect, report, and react against threats.

Information security requires protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data from any form of misuse by anyone within or outside a facility. Some key elements include limiting information to authorized persons, preventing unauthorized changes to or the corruption of proprietary data.

Operational security is the process of creating policies and procedures, and establishing controls which require identifying, controlling, and protecting interests associated with the integrity and unhindered performance of a facility. A major aspect is having trained security personnel to protect and enforce the security procedures and policies governing the operations of a facility.

It is important to note that well-conceived and implemented policies will ensure the resistance of a facility to threats. Having identified these categories, the following steps should be taken to determine how to ensure each category receives the necessary attention.

Security Assessment: A risk assessment is required to identify threats and determine the extent all activities of the facility can run continuously and uncorrupted. It also involves looking critically at the assets and determining the level of protection each one is given. To avoid a weakness in the security plan, a comprehensive risk assessment is required from an overall security standpoint as part of a risk mitigation strategy.

Budgeting is also an important element to consider when conducting a risk assessment. This allows for informed decisions to be taken on the allocation of capital resources.

Mitigation Responses: As part of a mitigation response strategy, security plans should be updated periodically to ensure they are still fit for purpose and in line with corporate objectives.