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See below for:
A guide to physical security
A list of trade associations covering the security sector
A list of relevant events
Key points for business buyers to consider when specifying physical security measures
By a SupplierStorm writer
If you are considering implementing new physical security measures for your business or adding new measures to an existing physical security infrastructure to help your business secure its buildings, sites and offices then you need to bear in mind the following key points.
Conduct a risk assessment
Conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify the key security threats facing your business and the specific sites, areas or activities that are threatened. If you already have physical security measures in place, it may be a good exercise to conduct a security risk assessment and specify appropriate measures and compare the specification with the measures your business currently employs. Think about what your business needs. Is your business a potential terrorist target or near a potential terrorist target such as an airport or is it in a potential terrorist target area such as the City of London? Is your business threatened by protest groups or individuals? Does your business deal with harmful materials that must be kept away from the public and unauthorised staff? These are all different threats and may involve potentially different physical security solutions. The more specific you are at this stage, then the easier it will be to design the most appropriate solution for your business. This risk assessment will form the basis of the specification of the most appropriate measures.
Select the most appropriate physical security measures for your business
A thorough risk assessment will identify the key security threats that face your business and provide you with a specification for a security system that is appropriate for your business. This will be the first step in identifying the most appropriate measures. Potential solutions include: blast proof doors and glass, perimeter fencing, mail scanning, traffic bollards and traffic control systems, gates and barriers, doors of various strengths with appropriate locks and security staff to guard the premises and conduct baggage and other searches. Specialist solutions, in particular, should be based on a thorough assessment because there is a risk that you could invest in equipment that is ineffective or unnecessary or expensive. Integrate the physical security of your business with other security measures. Physical security should not be designed in isolation. It is a component of a wider security system that includes CCTV, access control and intruder alarms. An efficient reception area is essential to controlling access, with side and rear entrances denied to all but authorised people. Keep access points to a minimum and make sure the boundary between public and private areas of your building is secure and clearly marked. Invest in a suitable access control system.
Make sure all products are fit for purpose
Select physical security products to meet the overall system design. Ensure that they offer sufficient protection to meet the reasonable physical security needs of your business. All the components of the physical system, including all the fences, gates and barriers, doors, windows, locks and access control equipment, must be appropriate to the level of security that your business requires. Make sure that the products you select and specify are fit for purpose and provide the necessary level of security. It is important to ensure that all equipment is installed expertly and correctly and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. It may be advisable to use specialist contractors to install physical security equipment. Manned security is effective for conducting random bag checks and your business has the right to refuse entry to anyone that does not agree to have their baggage checked. Remember that you need permission before you conduct a body search. Manned security can also provide deterrence by mounting regular – but not predictable – patrols around sites and buildings.
Plan the work carefully and brief staff about the changes
All the stages of the project need to be planned carefully. Ensure that the installation work is planned so that it has a minimal impact on day to day operations. Most importantly, ensure that all your staff are kept well informed and briefed about any changes. Remember also that staff can also be a component of a physical security system so ensure they are well briefed on what to watch out for and what to do if they see it. If you are part of a multi-occupancy building, shopping centre, high street or business park, make security a joint effort.
Fully consider health and safety issues
Observe all aspects of health and safety when designing the system layout. This is particularly important with respect to emergency exits and fire control. Does the proposed system meet fire regulations? What would happen if there were a power cut? Are there measures in place to overcome the loss of mains power? Do the access control points fail-locked or fail-unlocked? Think about the impact on people flow and the potential injuries that can be caused by improperly used equipment particularly at peak times or when people are in a hurry. It is important to design-out all perceived health and safety issues.
Ongoing maintenance
Make arrangements for regular service and maintenance of all the components of the system. Make sure someone within your organisation is responsible for the system. Ensure that someone in your business is nominated with the responsibility for being aware of the serving and maintenance requirements. Take time to construct an appropriate maintenance agreements with suitably qualified contractors.
Get advice from experts including your local police force.
Trade Associations
The British Security Industry Association
The BSIA is the trade association for the professional security industry in the UK. Its members provide over 70% of UK security products and services and adhere to strict quality standards.
Website: http://www.bsia.co.uk/
The Association of Security Consultants (ASC)
The ASC says its full members are independent security consultants, having no allegiance to specific suppliers of goods or services. They either head their own companies, or else are senior partners in other consultancy practices. It claims that they are all leading experts in their fields, whether skilled in a detailed specialisation or able to handle a broad range of strategic issues. Collectively their expertise and experience covers every facet of corporate security and all sectors of commerce and industry, says the ASC.
Website: http://www.securityconsultants.org.uk/
The Fire and Security Association (FSA)
The FSA has more than 250 members across the United Kingdom. It claims to be the fastest growing representative body for companies that design, install, commission, maintain and monitor electronic fire and security systems.
Website: http://www.fireandsecurityassociation.co.uk/
Fire Industry Association (FIA)
FIA is a new trade association formed by the merger of two leading associations within the fire protection industry - FETA (Fire Extinguishing Trades Association established in 1916), the trade association of companies responsible for the manufacture and maintenance of portable fire-fighting equipment and BFPSA (British Fire Protection Systems Association established in 1966), the coordinating body for the UK fire systems industry.
Website: http://www.fia.uk.com/
Fire Protection Association (FPA)
Established in 1946 the FPA is the UK’s national fire safety organization.
Website: http://wwwthefpa.co.uk/