Conducting a risk assessment should be the first consideration when deciding to purchase any type of security system, especially more considerable purchases such as heavy duty security barriers and gates.
Despite this, many businesses overlook the importance of a risk assessment and often end up with a security system that they didn’t require or adds no additional security benefits to their business. This is perhaps the worst possible outcome when adding any form of security to your premises.
What is a security risk assessment?
In simple terms, a security risk assessment is the process of analysing your current business’ security, analysing where improvements could be made and deciding which security systems are most suited to solving the issues you have found.
A risk assessment can also include various other aspects of business security such as alarm protocol and an analysis of your local area. However, these are likely to change on a regular basis and it is therefore recommended that you carry out a security risk assessment at least once a year even if you don’t plan on making any drastic changes.
How to conduct a security risk assessment?
The task of actually conducting a risk assessment can often be daunting to a manager or business owner but the process can be broken down into four easy to follow steps. However, whilst the process may be relatively simple it is essential that you are thorough with your assessment to ensure your business is safe and secure.
It is essential that you are thorough with your checks to ensure that your business receives the full benefits of any decisions you make as a result of your findings.
For more information about how to conduct your own risk assessment, please view our in depth guide on how to perform a security risk assessment.
The 4 stages of completing a risk assessment
1. Identify risk
Whilst it may seem self explanatory, identifying the risks your business faces is the first step to performing a successful risk assessment as this will determine the security measure you decide to take. Identifying risks may involve analysing the following aspects:
- Crime Rate of your areas of operation
- Commonly committed crimes
- Number of people with building access
- Number of entrance and exit points
- Whether your space is shared with other businesses
2. Assess threats and vulnerabilities
After identifying the risks to your business, the next step is to identify the threats. This can be done by analysing the likelihood of each risk occurring and which risks are going to be most costly to your business.
Ordering your risks allows you to develop a clear plan of action on which areas to secure and which areas take higher priority. Having a clear plan allows you to be more prepared for the worst-case scenario and can be essential to keeping your business safe and secure.
3. Review current security measures
When conducting a risk assessment, it is important you analyse your current security measures as the extent to which you will need to act will depend on the systems you already have in place.
When reviewing your security systems, you should consider your business security throughout the day and night not just during the times of operation as businesses are often most secure at this time. Ensuring that your premise has sufficient monitoring systems and lighting as well as various access control security is vital when securing your business out of hours.
It is also important to ensure that your security is fully functional and well maintained in order to make sure it operates effectively if necessary.
4. Review operating procedures
After evaluating your physical security, you should also evaluate the procedures in place for your employees and customers. This process may include assessing the following:
- Are there security checks for out of hours personnel?
- Are security personnel positioned adequately throughout the day?
- Are staff trained to handle difficult situations?
It is important to work with your staff during this element of the risk assessment process to ensure that they feel safe in the working environment and to ensure that they fully understand their roles when opening or closing the premises.
What are the benefits of regular risk assessments?
Whilst a thorough risk assessment can take some time (depending on the size of your business and your security requirements) there are a number of benefits to conducting a risk assessment before making any decisions about your business security including:
- Reduced costs – understanding your business’ security needs can save you from making unnecessary purchases which add no additional benefits to your business security
- Awareness – being aware of any issues allows you to be proactive in finding the right solution rather than reacting to a problem when it arises
- Reduce security incidents – understanding the issues can drastically help reduce the number of security incidents in the workplace whether those be internal accidents or external offences
- Establish standards – consistent and thorough risk assessments can greatly improve your security standards regarding both external security and internal policies therefore improving your business as a whole.
- Training – risk assessments can be a useful training tool and any findings you make can go towards educating employees on the security policies you have in place or plan to implement.
Contact Newgate today
Here at Newgate, we are able to help your business secure your premises with our cost-effective solutions. If you require any help choosing a new security solution, please contact our team today and we’ll be on hand to help you.
