10 Minute Risk Analysis

10 Minute Risk Analysis – Risk analysis is a vital part of system selection and while security managers should give it special attention on a regular basis, it’s possible to get a quick sense of a site’s security profile by answering key risk assessment questions.

* What do you believe the current and immediate future threats to be?
* What is the value of assets that need protection?
* Do your assets need to be monitored at all times by manpower patrols or CCTV surveillance?
* What do these assets physically constitute – are they centrally located in closed spaces, or spread out?
* Will unauthorised entry result in the loss of valuable assets whose compromise may impact of the future of the business?
* What is the crime profile of the facility’s geographic area?
* Is there a local police presence and can police respond quickly (within 5-10 minutes) to an incident on your facility?

* How are the assets located in relation to the entry and egress points of the facility?
* Are these assets likely to be targeted by activists (chemical manufacturer), terrorists (branch of prestigious international corporation based in political hot spot) or thieves (importer of liquor, pharmaceutical products or electronics)?
* Do you have a comprehensive electronic security system incorporating alarms and access control with alarm events monitored by a remote monitoring station with alarm response?
* What are the layers of the security system – buildings only, or is perimeter covered?
* Are access control and CCTV systems integrated into a single management system?
* Is there a local security room or workstation?
* Is there a security team on site?* Is there a recent and coherent set of security procedures?
* Does staff induction include security and safety training?
* Do key staff know what to do in the event of a security incident?
* Do all staff have a general understanding of key security procedures?
* Are there multiple ways to communicate with all staff quickly during an emergency?
* Is site access control closely managed with procedures and by access control system policy – if the public can access the site what is the security strategy at entries?
* Can the site be locked down from a central location?
* Do you need to support staff safety and security on-site and off-site?
* How fast will incident response be and is it fast enough to meet duty of care obligations?
* What are the risk profiles of neighbouring businesses and do these risks threaten your facility?

* Can you expect support from neighbouring organisations in the event of an emergency?
* How important is it that a perimeter breach be detected by the security system without fail?
* What are site opening hours – are there workers on site and/or deliveries after hours?
* Is maintaining security central to wider business operations?
* Is senior management engaged with security as a core business principle?
* How vulnerable is the site to bushfire and flooding?
* Does the site have redundant telecommunications and radio comms networks?
* Does the site have backup power?
* How many portals to the internet are available and how important is it the security system, site management and business operations that internet is always up?

Answering these questions will give a clear sense of how important security is to a site, will indicate how capable its existing systems and procedures are, as well as providing a foundation for a deeper risk analysis.

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