How to Conduct a Security Needs Assessment for Your Building?

You can begin carrying out the building security assessment once you have a strategy of attack prepared, the building information obtained from the data request, a torch and a notebook. Below are a few instances that relate to the hierarchy of processes mentioned in part one of this series and should be taken into account when conducting the assessment. An essential first step in assessing and improving a building’s security measures to satisfy sustainability and safety criteria is a BREEAM security needs assessment.

What Is An Assessment Of Security Risks?

 A security risk assessment is a procedure for identifying, assessing, and prioritising possible weaknesses in different information resources (such as systems, hardware, programmes, and data), as well as the numerous hazards that may have an impact on those weaknesses. The main goal of a risk assessment is to alert decision-makers about weaknesses in company infrastructure, so they may take preventative defensive measures and plan efficient risk responses.

To assist executives in making thoughtful decisions regarding continuing security initiatives, the assessment also includes an executive summary. Security risk assessments also show management which fields of employee education are necessary to reduce attack surfaces.

Risk Evaluation Versus Risk Management

 Although it can appear like these ideas need no further explanation, managers and executives must recognise their disparities. Risk analysis is mostly preventative. It entails examining your existing infrastructure to find its shortcomings and weaknesses. Successful risk management requires an in-depth risk assessment. Management of risks may be either proactive or reactive. By consistently implementing best practices, risk management’s main objective is to lower risk.

Risk management encompasses a variety of tasks, such as maintaining and updating facilities, implementing identity management policies, and instructing staff members on good password hygiene. However, some attacks are still likely to be successful even with thorough risk analysis and aggressive risk management.

What Is Included In Physical Security?

Conducting an appropriate security evaluation involves some different elements and tasks. They consist of:

Identifying A Risk

The initial phase in evaluating security performance is this. You must be aware of the degree of risk you are facing. Different organisations have different levels of risk. Here is one factor that unites every risk level, regardless of how diverse they may be: crime. Every company runs the risk of becoming the target of criminals. Because of the anticipated degree of crime, security needs to be increased. The type of the business does not just influence the degree of risk.

The company’s location may also have an impact. The situation wherein a bank in an urban region is going to need greater security than one in a rural area serves as the greatest example and explanation of this. Both social structures have to take action to provide security, but metropolitan regions are going to need it more. You might need to strengthen your physical security system & increase the presence of security personnel based on where you are.

Evaluation Of Threats

Following the evaluation of hazards while analysing your company’s security requirements, the very next step is to analyse the dangers and then determine the threats. In this circumstance, you should ask yourself which occurrences are more likely to happen than others. Any occurrence which has a higher likelihood of occurring may be considered a threat in your study. Identify weaknesses as well.

These take place under circumstances where your business is very likely to encounter dangers. Nevertheless, it is inaccessible to the security you currently employ. This is the other aspect of your security requirements, which is sometimes overlooked, particularly if hazards are taken into account. To effectively address your weaknesses, you must precisely identify what they are.

Review Of The Facilities And Sites Current Security

This is the first thing you’ve got to do to fix your weaknesses. The location being discussed here is the complex that surrounds your place of business. By doing this, you are going to be able to take into account all of the structural flaws in the construction or structures. The very first thing to take into account whenever determining how safe your physical site is is functionality and upkeep. Your firm is more vulnerable to hazards and threats if there are areas which you don’t manage.

You ought to look for issues with windows or improperly locking doors, for instance. In the majority of these situations, periodic upkeep will be sufficient to guarantee that your facility is safe. In addition to these, you ought to consider taking accessibility to your commercial building into account. You ought to think about whether unauthorised individuals or clients may enter your building with ease. Finding solutions as soon as you know the responses to these questions is ideal.

The Facility’s Operating Procedures Are Reviewed

After evaluating physical buildings, you must take into account the operational policies put in place for your staff. Managers frequently safeguard their commercial buildings throughout the day but laxly handle security at night. Avoid using this cliché. You must make sure that your company’s employees who work nighttime are appropriately safeguarded. Once your business allows workers to spend the night at their residence, you must put safety measures in place.

Doors and windows can occasionally be left open at night for convenience. Your business must have a system in place that can withstand this and stop people from breaking in quickly. Last but not least, you must make sure that all emergency strategies and processes are in effect. Emergency plans will help in keeping your employees safe in the event of a fire, bomb threat, or other threats. Customers will ultimately have confidence in the services offered by your business as a result of this.

Conclusion

One of the most important steps in securing your property and its inhabitants is to carry out a security needs assessment for your place of business. You may create a thorough security plan which promotes confidence and tranquillity of mind by recognising weaknesses, possible dangers, and the precise security measures needed.