by Robert Siciliano
Security is an illusion. Life is either a daring adventure, or it is nothing at all.
— Hellen Keller
The keys to workplace security are responsibility and action
Security breaches can take place from within or from outside the organization. An obvious first step is to implement procedures that prevent criminals from entering the building. However, internal processes and computer networks are also vulnerable. The IT department must use the latest technology to shield the company’s computer system from threats like theft of company intellectual property or employee identities.
Workplace premises security is typically the job of an in-house security officer or a Certified Protection Professional, but the security-minded, just like the police, can’t be everywhere at once. Managers can enhance the security of the workplace through implementation of a number of countermeasures and elimination of commonplace risks:
- External Barriers — office buildings should have parking bans or tight restrictions to allow only employees and authorized visitors. Concrete highway dividers along the perimeter of a premise can prevent a car or truck from driving into the building. Aesthetically pleasing barriers — flowerpots, concrete benches or even elegant sculptures—can be used for this purpose.
- Trash barrels and waste bins — these are vulnerable to terrorist activity. If they are publicly accessible, remove them.
- Ground floor vents — street-level fresh air intake vents are designed to draw air for heating and cooling systems. Fence off these vents or move them to higher levels to prevent sabotage. Inside and outside air should pass through HEPA filters, which remove 100 % of particles larger than 1 micron, helping to keep bioterrorist chemical agents from entering the duct system. The technology of smoke detection has evolved to sense carbon monoxide and even tear gas, pepper spray and some nerve gas and chemical weapons.
- Web use monitoring — when employees access the Internet at the office for personal reasons, they waste company resources. More alarming, the number of employees transmitting sensitive, proprietary company data via the Internet is increasing. Fortunately, a number of surveillance technologies are available that enable an IT department, or even a manager, to monitor employees’ online activity in real time.
- Point of entry — a single point of entry is best. It improves security personnel’s control over who enters the building. Trained guards who identify potential threats are better than someone who just checks IDs. Scanners that use biometric technology such as iris and facial recognition software, finger, thumb and palm prints and even voice recognition will ultimately ID everyone everywhere.
- Security cameras — some decry the ubiquity of security cameras due to “Big Brother” concerns, but they should keep in mind that security is there to protect, not harm. Qualified people must “monitor the monitor,” but a single security guard sitting in a room with 50 video screens won’t cut it. Working hand-in-hand with whoever is watching the cameras, a group of trained and motivated plainclothes guards, inside and outside of the property, should survey every aspect of the premises at all times.
- Shipping and receiving — this is a weak point in most security plans. Delivery service trucks and their drivers, caterers, exhibitors and vendors are in a rush, so security can become lax. Security personnel must make sure no one enters the building through this area. They must also check and scan all items entering the building.
- Security audit — above all, have a third party conduct a security audit at the company soon. The consultations of unbiased professionals who can spot security loopholes and vulnerabilities will help to secure the future of your business.
© 2005 Robert Siciliano
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Author Bio: Robert Siciliano’s Website is www.StreetSafeSecurity.com.
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