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With the growing rates of cybercrime, this has become one of the primary areas of concern for businesses today. However, it is equally important not to overlook the physical security of your organization. We may have moved our routine business tasks to digital platforms, but crimes will never be confined to just digital channels.
According to a report published by Johnson Controls, burglaries and physical thefts cost companies $800 million every year in the US alone. Companies without effective security systems are highly likely to become victims of such crimes. 50% of these burglaries take place due to the unlocked entrance doors, while 58% of burglars enter the businesses forcibly. New technology has also made it easier for intruders to find their way into your premises.
If you haven’t updated your business’ security system recently, now is the time to run the security assessment to discover your business’ level of security risk and update the safety protocols accordingly. Here’s how to conduct a risk assessment.
1. Identify Risks
Every company is at risk of physical thefts and crimes, but the level of risk varies for each business. It depends on the products and services you sell and the assets in your firm. For example, a bank located in an area with high crime rates needs more advanced, stricter security protocols than one located in a rural area with less crime.
Your location plays a pivotal role in determining the level of risk for your business. In the above example, the bank in the high-crime neighbourhood may need to hire a dedicated team of security personnel who guard the bank 24/7 and deter thieves. It is also likely to be necessary to install premium CCTV cameras, a high-quality alarm system, and a secure door interlock system for the highest levels of protection.
2. Threats Assessment
Once you have identified the possible risks that your organization faces, you should rank these threats. This means categorizing each threat, from those which are most likely to occur, to the least likely. It is also important to consider the severity of the consequences if the risk were to materialize. Update your security protocols so that they address these risks appropriately and offer the maximum level of protection to your business.
However, assessing the risks alone will not tell you all the areas of your business that are highly vulnerable to physical threats and crimes. For a comprehensive risk assessment, you must review the premises and compare the potential risks with your current security system. At the same time, you should also review your operating procedures.
3. Review Facility Security
A facility security assessment is extremely important for businesses with multiple departments. You should focus on maintenance when reviewing your facility for security threats. That’s because areas that are not maintained for extended periods are at a higher risk. For example, doors that do not lock properly or are poorly-made, fragile bathroom windows are weak points in your business’ security and should be replaced immediately.
Basic maintenance is essential to enhance the security of your site. Your business might have many unsecured places that are either too easy to access or provide unauthorized access to local people, so be sure to assess this regularly to identify any weak points and address them immediately. Check Vivint pricing for a breakdown of costs for home security systems.
4. Review Operating Processes
It is also essential to regularly review the operating procedures your employees follow. Have you hired staff to watch all entrances and exits? Do you have your security team placed strategically throughout your premises? Do you have a special system that monitors the activity of your staff? For example, the janitors can leave the main doors open while cleaning to make things easier, or they may forget to lock the entrance door when leaving. These are the primary causes of the increasing number of thefts and security breaches in businesses.
You must also review your emergency procedures to consider unexpected events. For example, have you trained your employees to deal with a bomb threat or workplace crime? Do they know what has to be done should someone break into your premises and threaten staff members? These things must be planned in advance so that your team always knows what to do in an emergency.
5. Physical Security System
The last step of security assessment is to review your physical security system. Is all infrastructure and equipment up-to-date and functional? Do you take care of their maintenance? Are your entrance and exit doors easily accessible? Physical threats can range from an intruder breaking into your premises, to your staff tampering with your business’s sensitive data.
Final Thoughts
Conducting a risk assessment is an important step in improving the security of your workplace. Once you know the risks and vulnerabilities of your business, you can take the necessary steps to upgrade your security system and create a safer working environment. Follow the above steps for comprehensive risk assessment and identify your business’ level of risk, and more importantly, take action immediately to address any issues you discover!
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