What is Physical Security Risk Management & Why You Need It?
When it comes to information security management in general, terms like “cyber security” and “technology-oriented security” come to mind more than ‘physical security.’ And even though hacking might pose a larger threat on a global scale, one shouldn’t forget it’s not the only way information can be compromised.
Fraudulent individuals posing as employees can gain physical access to systems or confidential documents, rendering firewalls and other cyber security measures useless. In this way, physical security risks can cause equal (or even greater) catastrophic consequences in the workplace and must be eliminated through safety measures, which brings us to physical security risk management.
What is Physical Security Risk Management?
Physical security risk management, as the name suggests, is a process of identifying and mitigating sources of physical risks and other vulnerabilities within an organization that can potentially disrupt the business entity.
The core objective of physical security risk management is to protect everything from company personnel to equipment and other company assets. Security services providers assist business owners to perform physical security assessment checks and help them provide a tailor solution.
What are Popular Types of Physical Security Risks?
Here are popular types of physical security risks you must know:
1. Theft
Theft is one of the most popular types of security risks one can encounter from residential buildings to commercial business spaces. However, compared to residential spaces, it’s even more difficult for businesses since they have to deal with both internal and external threats like employee theft.
Documents with confidential data can become exposed if they reach the wrong hands or some unknown posing as an employee can gain access to them and damage the company’s reputation.
2. Tailgating
Tailgating happens when someone not having access control to an organization bypasses the secured entry points and gains illegal access. This could happen as easily as following a validated employee from behind and silently making it through the door of a building once the authorized person has made a secured entry.
3. Terrorism
Terrorism poses a much larger physical security threat than any other risk types. This is because it affects physical security of not just your organization but also that of your loved ones and even your own personal security.
It’s for this reason terrorism shouldn’t be overlooked at a broader level and has to be combated with adequate measures.
4. Sexual Harassment
As a physical security risk, sexual harassment in the workplace has become a global phenomenon and has impacted workplace culture throughout the world. The consequences of sexual harassment are often serious; it leaves employees traumatized in the workplace leading to unpleasant working conditions.
Why Opt for Physical Security Risk Management?
There are plenty of reasons why opting for physical security assessments is a good idea. The process entails evaluations across several elements from security requirements and access control to personnel response, alarm systems and several other policies and procedures.
Elite security services providers cater to both small and large scale businesses and offer a wide scope of physical security risk management services whether that’s carrying out inspection of facilities or simply conducting security surveys.
And if you are in Melbourne or any major city in Australia, we at National Protective Services work closely with you to offer custom designed security solutions to suit your requirements. If you are in need of integrated security risk management solutions, feel free to get in touch with us here.