Business Security Information

Businesses just like yours spend time, money and energy every day trying to protect their assets from a variety of security issues.  How do you know if you are expending that time, money and energy covering the right security issues?

This month I came across a survey of security directors from a variety of companies that covered the major security issues they face and the cost of security incidents when they did occur.  I will highlight some of that information in this article so you can see the type and cost of a variety of security issues.  You can use this information to evaluate if you are addressing the right security issues in your own business.  Here is the list of security issues based on the highest annual dollar losses to the lowest dollar losses:

On a recent trip, I stopped for gasoline and a snack at a convenience store along the highway.  When I entered the store, I noticed a bulletproof enclosure (also called bandit barriers) had been installed at the cashier’s counter.  It was different from other ones I had seen used in check-cashing businesses and banks in that it moved horizontally. The cashier could simply press a switch, and the bulletproof cashier window would open or close.  During the day when the risk of robbery may be less, the window could be left open.  In this way, interaction with customers could occur more easily, and it did not appear as intimidating to those visiting the convenience store.

In my last article, I wrote about the importance of padlocks and gates.   I also mentioned that chain link fences do not really provide good security for a storage yard or lot.  In most situations, metal fence type barriers (such as in the pictures) provide better security than chain link fences.  The pictures show a good security solution for protecting huge equipment tires but would provide no real security if you were trying to protect smaller stored items or against someone trying to steal parts from your equipment or vehicles.  Always choose a security solution that will fit your needs and provide adequate security for what you are trying to protect.

The Hospital Visit

Last week, I went to the hospital to visit a friend.  After parking in the hospital parking lot, I had to take the shuttle bus over to the hospital’s main entrance.  When I arrived at the main entrance, I saw two security officers standing on the other side of the entrance talking to each other.  As I observed them, they really never seemed to notice us or the shuttle bus which appears to arrive quite frequently.  Anyway, after visiting my friend for over an hour, I stood at the main entrance waiting my turn to get on the returning shuttle bus when I noticed the security officers again.  This time there were three instead of two, and they were standing basically in the same spot where I had originally noticed them upon arriving over an hour ago.  This got me thinking about how a lot of businesses hire contract security officers to provide security for them.  Are they really getting what they pay for?

There are four basic principles of security that should be used no matter if you are looking at physical security or computer security issues with your business.  When you are planning security for your business, base all your decisions on these four principles.  If you do not incorporate all four of the them, your security measures have a higher chance of being defeated.  Any security system can be beaten, but thieves are looking for the greatest amount of return with the lowest risk.  If you use these principles correctly, you will increase the risk criminals must take to be successful.  In most cases, the thief will choose an easier target down the road.  Many businesses rely on security alarm systems, also called intrusion alarm systems, which notify of someone trying to break into a building.  Security alarm systems by themselves, however, are not a deterrent to criminals, especially against professionals.  They are important but should be incorporated into your overall security plan.