Having a formal security plan allows you to react appropriately during an emergency, after discovering a break in or if an alarm goes off in the middle of the night. It’s the difference between having a cool head and running around like a headless chicken.
A security plan is a detailed record of: your security providers and their contact details; instructions for all security, mechanical and electrical services on site; emergency procedures; contact details for key members of staff and their responsibilities; and any other information which you need immediate access to in case of an emergency.
Failure to have a security plan in place can result in extended down time following an incident. This loss of productivity can seriously hurt a business, even more so if it occurs during peak periods. Most severely, not having a security plan puts your staff and anyone else on site at risk of injury or worse.
Keep a record of everyone who has keys for windows, doors and secure storage. If you rely on remote solutions, make sure you have access to an on-site override if it fails. Smart security and lighting solutions usually have strict controls in a commercial setting that can cause headaches during an emergency.
If your office is in a shared building, be clear on who has responsibility over all aspects of security and maintenance. Don’t assume something isn’t your responsibility; talk to site managers and gather contact details of anyone who you might need when something goes wrong.
Make sure that you know the location of all emergency controls such as fuse boards and stop taps for water and that there is always a member of staff on site or on call who can access them.
Your alarm systems should be regularly serviced with records of their last servicing. Contact details for your system providers kept handy in case you need to request a call out, especially out of ours.
Include contacts for glaziers, carpenters, locksmiths and any other tradespeople who may be required to get your site up and running again following a break in or accident.
Your security plan should also include contingencies in case of an emergency. Do you have a quick way to contact all your staff or clients to alert them? Can you access your company server remotely if you’re unable to be on-site? Who is responsible for all the above?
Finally, include maps and instructions for evacuation procedures and assembly points and a keep a record of who is and is not in the building at all times in case you need to do a head count.
It’s always better to have a professional write up your security plan than rely on an untrained member of staff walking around with a clipboard.
Identifying security threats is a professional skill. While you might be able to cover the basics above, our managers are trained to spot even the slightest vulnerabilities and advise on the ideal solutions to correct them.
Should we be hired to provide security services, we will draw up a security plan as standard as it allows us to respond quickly and effectively in the result of an emergency.
Our security plan will include all the necessary contacts outlined above, key members of staff in your company, details of the utility companies and service providers you use, instructions for on site equipment and anything else which may be relevant to keeping your site safe and secure.
To book your free, no-obligation risk assessment, get in touch with our award-winning customer services team now on 0800 772 3786.
