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  • Posted By Scott
  • |
  • Mar 05, 2017

Security Myth #2 - “Security is too Expensive and we Cannot Afford It”

As we have previously discussed, Condominium and Building Facilities have many expenses that must compete for their limited dollars. This can result in items that do not show an immediate return, though are still very important, being placed lower down on the list of priorities for the building.

If you were to survey all the top security professionals and law enforcement personnel, we would fully expect a vast majority of them to say that “you cannot not afford security” or “ the most expensive security system is one that does not operate properly.”

The good news is that buildings do not need to break the bank to implement proper security systems at their properties. Combining proper planning and management with the current affordability of physical security systems, corporations are able to effectively protect their property at a very reasonable cost.

As mentioned previously, it all begins with a plan. As the old adage states “ Fail to plan? Then plan to fail...”. Additionally, having a proper Security Plan allows management to properly evaluate the risk to the property, and to implement their security solutions based on the highest risk. This allows for a more proactive approach to management rather than a reactive one.

To summarize, what makes the 3D Security Services assessment reports so different from others is that the property is evaluated for vulnerabilities. This is where most reports ends. A 3D report, however, will rate the vulnerabilities according to risk, as per risk rating scale. The report takes the extra step(s) by providing recommendations on how to mitigate said risk to the lowest possible level.

When it comes to addressing the vulnerabilities found in the report, the facility has three options:

1. Accept the risk (do nothing)

2. Off-Load the risk to a third party - (usually through insurance)

3. Mitigate the risk (recommended) - implement security solutions to reduce the effect of the risk

Occasionally, there is the misconception that when discussing Security Solutions, a security fix must contain solutions that have expensive equipment, which must be maintained and monitored. Where this can be the case if not properly planned, the fact of the matter is that security solutions can sometimes cost nothing at all.

Security Solutions may be accomplished with personnel, equipment, or policies & procedures. Of the three of these solutions, personnel are usually the most expensive while implement strong policies are usually the most economical. The cost of technology is increasingly becoming more affordable so that corporations are able to explore alternate measures of securing their property (such as those that were previously outside their budgets). The key to all of the above is proper and precise planning.

When it comes to policies and procedures, included in the condominium security audit is recommendations of policies that will assist the Board of Directors to implement low-cost, effective security solutions. This could be through rules passed by the Board of Directors, policies to be implemented by the property manager for site staff to follow, or educational items to be passed on at the next meeting of owners.

As previously mentioned, a corporation has 3 courses of action that they may undertake once they have been made aware of a risk to the corporation. If the probability is unlikely or the impact is inconsequential, they may opt to accept the risk and do nothing. Obviously, this is usually the least safe of the options from a security perspective, but it is one that is often undertaken. However, it is important to stress that the decision made not to address the issue was a conscious one, rather than have it be left unaddressed due to a lack of knowledge on security procedures and risks pertaining to the building.

Have any questions about the Risk Rating Scale, or about proper procedures to mitigate vulnerabilities? Kindly e-mail us at [email protected]