Security as we know it is changing – and taking on a far more serious tone than has been needed historically. At least in Australia anyway. So how do we manage this from a security perspective and does our thinking around protecting a business’s reputation need to change?

If I were to ask what is the most important element in any security strategy, what would that be?

– Physical barriers?
– People?
– Processes & procedures?
– Security technologies?

Forget everything else you’ve read about security because until you have these crucial elements nailed, your security strategy will have gaps and vulnerabilities. Achieving an optimum state of security depends upon three key elements coming together – systems, people and process.

Keeping pedestrians safe from motor vehicles has never been more important. Recent incidents where cars and trucks have hit people near buildings highlight the potential danger, which may or may not be terror-related. The risk of such incidents, whether accidental or intentional, is greater than ever. How effective are bollards at keeping people safe?

It’s not hard to see the importance of location when it comes to security risk.

A property’s location will influence factors such as how people approach it, what type of crime it is at risk of and whether those risks are constant or variable.

After analysing all our security risk assessments over the past two years, we found that location plays a big role in a property’s level of risk.

Last July, an existing client engaged us to design the security system for a building that was under construction. It is part of a property where we conducted a security risk assessment a few years earlier. The client was surprised when we asked to sit down with him to revisit the risk assessment process. “Why do you need to do that,” he asked? “You guys did the last risk assessment. Nothing has changed”. In fact, a lot had changed. And this is the reason we are changing the way security risk management is practised. Our new tool, which is a world first will ensure that security risk assessments are always up to date and the chances of an adverse event are minimised.

Terrorist attacks should now be expected in Australia. Are you prepared? Many organisations are not and lack the right security staff. Where to from here?

Communicating clearly and decisively to all building occupants during a security incident is critical. Are you doing it right?

Despite increased functionality and higher resolution, CCTV is still not achieving the one thing its proponents have always claimed that it can – improve the security of the premises where it is used.

I know it is a big statement and there are always exceptions to the rule, but crime still occurs on premises where CCTV is installed. It happens regularly and from where I sit, things are not going to change anytime soon.

This is why.

Should ‘gut feeling’ be part of security assessment? The tragic events in Melbourne’s Bourke Street last month highlighted the difficult choices we face when an extremely rare but high-impact event has devastating consequences. In our industry, evidence based reporting is a key component of security risk management. This means that unless we can find evidence of a threat and can link that threat to a vulnerability, there is no risk. That’s the theory, but does it work? Should instinct play a role?