How to measure and improve your business’ physical security performance

Physical security is an essential consideration for any business, providing valuable protection for people, premises and assets, while aiding business continuity and reputation.

Acting as a first line of defence, a well-designed and implemented security strategy can help prevent or reduce the impact of a range of potential threats, including theft, vandalism, trespassing, activism, terrorism and natural disasters.

Whether you decide to manage your physical security needs inhouse, or prefer to call on the services of an experienced and reputable security provider like ourselves here at Venture, it’s important to remember it’s an ongoing process.

Every security strategy requires regular evaluation to ensure it is effective, efficient, and remains aligned with wider business goals and objectives.

But how do you measure your physical security performance? And how might you use the results to improve your physical security moving forwards?

Here are some top tips.

What is meant by physical security?

Physical security refers to the many different measures a business might introduce to help safeguard against potential harm caused by physical security threats. This includes:

• Site Design and Layout: The strategic use of security measures on the premises with an awareness of any weak spots and consideration for what will be the most secure organisational layout and design. May include the use of perimeter fencing, video surveillance and alarm systems.
• Access Control: Thinking about entry points and limiting physical access to authorised individuals, such as through the use of access control technology, ID cards and the presence of security guards.
• Emergency Response Readiness: Training for staff on how to handle various situations and emergencies.
• Environmental Components: Implementing safety measures to mitigate damage from natural disasters.

How do you measure physical security performance?

There are many different methods and tools that can be used to measure physical security performance, depending on individual needs and resources. Here are three of the most popular:

• Security audit

A security audit involves carrying out a systematic and comprehensive assessment of current physical security measures, policies, and procedures. It can be used to identify any gaps, weaknesses and additional risks, so solutions can be found to address them.

A security audit can be conducted by an internal or external team of experts, who will use various techniques, such as site visits, inspections, interviews, tests, and reviews, to evaluate the current physical security function.

This type of audit can be helpful for enhancing standards, ensuring compliance, and increasing resilience.

• Vulnerability assessment

A vulnerability assessment focuses on specific physical security threats and vulnerabilities that may face a business, to determine their likelihood and the potential impact. This can be helpful for prioritising which are the most critical.

The assessment can be performed using specialist tools, such as risk matrices, threat models, or vulnerability scanners, to quantify and rank the physical security risks.

This type of assessment is useful for mitigating security risks and helping optimise the use of any available security resources.

• Key performance indicators (KPIs)

KPIs can be great for generating measurable and quantifiable data that shows just how well your physical security is doing in relation to achieving set outcomes and objectives.

You can apply KPIs to various aspects of physical security, such as the number, frequency and severity of security incidents, response times and recovery rates, satisfaction and feedback from various stakeholders, and the return on investment of different security solutions.

The use of KPIs can be helpful for monitoring and tracking physical security performance and its progress over time.

How to improve your physical security performance

Once you have benchmarked your current physical security performance, you can use the results to spot and consider any improvements that may be needed. Here’s how:

1. Analyse the data to identify issues

Begin by analysing the data to identify any issues that may be impacting on your physical security performance, including technical, operational, human and environmental factors. Try to prioritise these issues based on their potential impact and perceived urgency. It can help to break them down into different categories, such as security gaps, weaknesses and risks.

2. Consider solutions

Next, consider what solutions and improvements could be used to address the issues that you have identified. For example:

• Expanding, upgrading, replacing, or adding security systems or equipment
• Updating or creating security policies or procedures
• Implementing additional training for staff
• Outsourcing security to a good quality external provider
• Changing or modifying your layout or design

Remember to include the benefits and challenges of implementing each solution and to provide a timeline and budget for their execution.

3. Implement the improvements

Implement the solutions and improvements according to the plan that you have created. This needs to be communicated to and coordinated with your security team, staff, and other stakeholders, to ensure that the process runs smoothly and is a success. You should also document the process and record any issues or feedback that may arise along the way.

4. Evaluate the results

Now evaluate your results to determine if the solutions have achieved the desired outcomes and objectives. Make sure you refer back to any KPIs that you put in place to measure and quantify the improvements. You should also continue to collect and analyse feedback from your security team, staff, and other stakeholders, to assess their satisfaction and engagement with the process.

5. Review and update your physical security plans

Finally, you should look to review and update your physical security plan, based on the results and feedback of the implementation. Incorporate any lessons learned and the best practices that you have discovered.

Moving forwards, make sure you are staying across the latest trends and developments in physical security. If you work with a company like ours here at Venture, this is something we will always be able to help with.

In summary

Measuring and improving any business’ physical security performance is a vital task that can help protect it from evolving threats. By following the methods and steps outlined above, you can conduct a thorough and effective physical security performance measurement and improvement process that can help you achieve your security goals and objectives.

Looking for professional security support for your business?

At Venture, we offer a range of award-winning security services to businesses across the central and southern region, including:

• Mobile patrols
• Static guarding
• Key holding and alarm response
• Locks and unlocks
• Vacant property inspections
• Event security
• Security consultancy

Find out more by calling us on 01264 391538 or emailing [email protected]