Understanding Physical Risk in Business Settings
Physical risk involves any threat to a company’s people, facilities, or assets. This can include unauthorized access, theft, workplace violence, or damage from natural events. Businesses, regardless of size or industry, are vulnerable to such incidents. Understanding these risks is the first step in preparing a meaningful response.
Physical security incidents may not happen frequently, but when they do, the consequences can be severe. A clear and actionable incident response plan helps minimize damage, ensures staff safety, and supports business continuity.
Develop an Incident Response Plan that Includes Preparation and Access Control
Incident response plans start with preparation. Preparation includes doing a threat or risk assessment. Identify potential entry points into your facility, locations that have the highest concentrations of assets, and any gaps in surveillance or access control you currently have.
Ensure that your access control system is up-to-date and being monitored. Ensure that all employees are using key cards or biometric access and that all visitors are logging access. Additionally, consider implementing alarm systems and physical barriers such as reinforced doors or bollards to add additional layers of security if required.
Identify Roles and Provide Training to Your Team
Incident response plans require each member of the response team to understand their role in responding to an incident. The response team will receive notification of an event and must be able to execute the proper response. Determine who will communicate with law enforcement, manage internal notifications, and implement evacuation procedures, etc.
Provide regular training to your team members regarding their roles. Conduct drills for various types of events, including intrusion events or evacuation alerts. Conducting drills allows the team members to become familiarized with their roles and reduces panic when responding to a real incident.
Utilize Technology for Surveillance and Detection
Modern surveillance systems are a significant tool in detecting and responding to events. Modern surveillance systems can include HD cameras, motion sensors, and environmental sensors that can send data to a central management platform. Utilizing multiple technologies will allow you to identify abnormal behavior and respond more quickly.
For example, automatic license plate readers can assist you in monitoring and recording vehicles entering your property. The information collected by ALPR can assist in investigations and prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering your property.
Ensure that the logs from your surveillance systems, video feeds, and alarm incidents are stored securely and are readily available. This information will be important for supporting insurance claims, internal reviews, or other legal proceedings.
Notify Employees and Contain the Situation
Once a situation develops, the speed and consistency of employee notifications will prevent confusion. Use a variety of methods to alert your employees, such as SMS, Email, or internal applications, to ensure that they receive the notification without delay. Confirm the type of incident and implement containment procedures.
Containment may include locking down areas, escorting individuals off your property, or temporarily suspending operations. Any action that you take should be consistent with your predetermined procedures and applicable laws.
Practice coordination with outside agencies such as the police, the fire department, or emergency responders prior to an actual incident occurring.
Review and Document
After the situation has been contained, document all activities taken. Record the timeline of events, individuals involved, communications sent, and any problems experienced. Post-incident reviews are essential in determining what went right and what didn’t with your incident response plan.
Revise your incident response plan based on lessons learned from actual responses. Update training materials for your team based on lessons learned and revise them accordingly. An incident response plan is dynamic and changes as new threats develop.
Final Notes
Every business faces some form of physical risk. A documented and tested incident response playbook helps ensure a fast, organized, and lawful reaction. With proper planning, role clarity, and use of technology, companies can reduce harm, protect assets, and maintain stable operations in the face of physical threats.
