Commercial Security:

In this article, we are going to address common gaps in commercial security and how to identify and address them. When assessing your facility for vulnerabilities, it quickly becomes clear that the solution must be multifaceted. There is no one catch-all security solution, regardless of how they are marketed. As we work through these common issues and practical solutions, we hope to give a clear understanding of the measures your

facility can implement to enforce the level of security your facility requires.

Vulnerabilities

The number one vulnerability in any security plan is the human element. Understanding what these behaviors are and why they occur is critical to solving the problem at the source.

Fortunately, many of the workarounds employees implement that compromise security are fairly easy to spot.

One of the best ways to identify gaps is by designating an auditor to regularly tour your facility to identify and address security issues. Telltale signs include propped doors, latch tampering, unauthorized or unescorted employees in restricted areas, disabled security systems, unauthorized people on site, and disabled access restrictions. An effective auditor should be familiar with the facility and its employees, as they will be more likely to recognize these issues. Depending on the size of the facility, it may be more practical to divide it into zones, each with a security officer or supervisor responsible for identifying and addressing issues as they arise.

The other main source of vulnerabilities is the nature of your security plan. A successful security plan includes lock hardware, strong organization, proper training, policy enforcement, quality surveillance, and proper maintenance.

Address the Cause

While we have well-established human behavior as the biggest vulnerability, it is important to note there is typically a reason it occurs.

Maintenance:

Often, behaviors such as door propping and tampering with latch mechanisms occur when there is a maintenance problem that has not been addressed. If there is an issue with door hardware, keys, cards, or other proximity devices, you'll see employees bypassing security measures in order to efficiently do their work. Have an effective avenue for maintenance issue reporting and respond quickly to eliminate the need for these workarounds.

Turnover:

Creating a comprehensive plan and training employees on procedures is key to

closing security gaps around turnover. Ensure all means of access related to the terminated employee are promptly revoked. Each employee responsible for revoking methods of access, which may include prox/key card/key code access, physical keys, app access, or passwords, should be immediately informed by the representative performing the termination and should act at once to update your access systems accordingly.

Key Control:

All commercial buildings with a master key system should have a comprehensive key map. Keys can be stamped to order by your locksmith or in-house with a stamp kit. Give each key a unique identifier, and keep an updated list of your keyholders. This is especially effective when using secured keyways. Secured keyways are very important in commercial applications. The blanks are not commonly available, and the duplication is highly restricted. Your locksmith will be authorized to order your keyway from the manufacturer and will only provide keys to authorized personnel. All key requests are validated with photo ID and recorded at the time of purchase. The key map, together with a secured keyway system, ensures you know exactly how many keys are in circulation and who is responsible for each key. Additionally, if you find an unauthorized employee has accessed a restricted area, the code on the key they obtained will tell you to whom the key belongs.

The Social Element:

The best locks in the world can't stop someone walking through an open door. It is a tough social barrier to overcome, but education can be a useful tool. We are taught to politely hold a door for the person entering behind us. The issue here is that the person holding the door couldn't know if the familiar face behind them was recently terminated. Risk education and clear signage around prohibiting multiple entrants at once can assist with overcoming that social barrier. Shifting the culture to be more security focused is a critical step. A great tool for enforcement is auditing the security cameras and addressing issue directly with the employee responsible for the breach of protocol.

Commercial Security Plans: Closing the loop

A well constructed security solution includes multiple layers. The number and type of those layers is determined by the level of security your facility requires. While the solutions outlined above should be employed at every commercial facility, employing solutions from this section will vary based on the needs of your business.

Door Access: Whether you are employing electronic or mechanical methods of access, the system is only as useful as it is maintained and enforced. Some electronic access systems allow for audit trail, giving you a record of employee access to the facility. Electronic systems should not retain default passwords, and passwords should be changed regularly, particularly when turnover occurs.

Cameras: Sometimes breach of protocol is hard to catch. People holding exterior doors for other entrants, hiding workarounds if your security audit schedule is known, borrowing or taking keys for unauthorized access, etc. are all issues that can be picked up if you have a camera system on site. They can be an effective tool for addressing employee behavior and highlight environmental interference with your system. Many facilities already have security cameras in place, but rarely are they used to their full potential.

Training and Enforcement: Having a comprehensive system in place with layers and redundancies is great, but only works as well as it is enforced. Clearly communicating expectations and protocols to your employees will help address your number one risk factor. Enforcement using the tools at your disposal will help nip bad behavior in the bud, and shift the culture to a more security based mindset.

Maintenance: Work with your staff and your locksmith to ensure technical and mechanical failures are addressed expediently. Your locksmith can help identify gaps in your security plan and assist with addressing them. It's not much use investing in security measures and allowing them to lapse. Perform your audits regularly, and adjust your approach to close the gaps as you find them.