Your business is thriving.  The screaming need for security has reached the point to where you are ready to delve into the unknown and figure out how you are going to manage safety and security for the good of the business and the people who work there.  Where to start?

Let’s begin as you would with any business venture, an analysis.  The first part of the analysis is determining risks:  Physical security, loss prevention, and accident prevention/safety are the key areas for reflection.  You should list the higher safety-risk areas, accessible doors/windows/openings, high value assets, as well as any other concerns (employee and customer entries/exits, vehicle gates, warehouse area, etc…).  Aside from being OSHA, ADA, and Life Safety Code compliant, the best method to mitigate risk is being proactive in the over watch and security of these areas.

Once you have your risks outlined, the next step is to confer with a security professional on what resources are available on the market and how to deploy them.  A solid, long-term plan can be realized utilizing a multi-layered approach with a combination of systems that best suits your requirements and workflow, not to mention your budget.  The plan may contain two or more of the following:

1. Security Policy and Procedures/Protocols: dictating hours of operation and rules governing who/what/when/where/how, traffic flow, etc... This is the “people” part of the project and should be addressed before all else.  Understanding and changing behaviors in a work environment is difficult to overcome but must be enforced for the overall plan to succeed.
2. Controlled Access Points: Card Access System, individual cypher locks, keying systems, etc.…
3. Surveillance System: Guard tours, CCTV, supervisory over watch, outdoor lighting
4. Intrusion Detection: Duress system, perimeter and interior protection, scheduled events
5. “Hardening of the Perimeter”: Reinforcing doors, Window film, fences and gates, parking areas

During this planning phase, budgetary numbers should be asked for.  Budgetary considerations will always trump needs and wants.  Understanding the ROI and benefits for each system, or the combination of, will help you make a decision in what is critical to start with right now and what phases you may want to progress into in the years to come.  Your security professional will educate you on the performance expectations and related costs, as well as develop the budget, plans (scope of work) and specifications.

This article could go on for pages.  Security planning is heavy in details and discussion.  The availability of a Security Professional at your beck and call is essential in ensuring you are mitigating risks, developing a proper plan for your business, and of course, execution of those plans to bring complete value to the security deliverable.

Stay tuned for more insight on how to take the next step on choosing a security system!