The most common problems identified when assessing risk and evaluating security measures
While each risk assessment project is unique, some problems seem to occur over and over again.
The following is a list of the most common problems we have encountered in conducting physical security assessments. Check this list to identify issues that may be present in your business:
- There is no real support for the company’s security program from senior executives. The members of the leadership team do not follow the security procedures themselves, setting a bad example to the other employees of the company.
- Employees do not receive proper training on security issues and do not know the company’s security policies and procedures. Employees are not adequately trained on how to deal with various unpleasant events in the workplace.
- Employees do not take basic precautions to protect company and staff assets. Offices and workstations often remain unlocked. High value items such as laptops, wallets and backpacks remain unsafe.
- There are poor visitor control procedures: a) visitors are not required to verify their identity, b) some visitors enter through auxiliary entrances, c) visitors are not accompanied properly, d) many visitors are not recorded when they leave.
- There is poor compliance with the company’s trademark recognition policy. Many employees do not wear their ID tags or wear them in the wrong place and are not visible.
- There are gaps in the security history check procedures.
- There is mismanagement of keys given to employees. Many times, there are no logs of who received the keys or when, there are no procedures for dealing with lost or missing keys, there is no assurance that the keys have been delivered when the employee leaves the company.
- There is no record keeping for thefts, losses and other security incidents. Many cases are not reported, and there is no follow-up. There are no quarterly or annual summary reports.
- There are bad procedures for handling confidential information: sensitive documents are found in insecure areas, confidential documents are placed in lockers with infringeable locks. Old confidential documents are thrown away in regular rubbish bins instead of being shredded.
- The building entrances and important interior doors are not closed properly or being left unlocked.
- There is insufficient control of the receiving / loading areas. Doors remain open, valuables remain unattended on the dock and vehicle drivers are allowed to wander anywhere in the facility.
- Employees who manage and monitor the company’s electronic security systems do not really know how to use them. Only a small part of the capabilities of these systems is used.
- Electronic security systems are not thoroughly controlled and maintained on a scheduled basis.
- There is insufficient lighting in the outdoor parking lots of the company and along the external roads to the building.
If you need a risk assessment study, or security assessment at your facility, or you need help in resolving any of the issues listed above, please contact us.
