Some concerns Independent Security Risk Assessors face
Security risk assessment – When conducting Security Risk Assessments for Residential Estates. Residential estate directors or management often forget that security is an interconnected system.
For example, the fence connects to the control room, the control connects to management, and the gate connects to both the control room and the fence. All security hardware is interconnected with each other and must be able to communicate. 
However,
Residential estates often prefer patchwork solutions, for example, focusing on the fence rather than the entire system. This is short-sighted because, while some criminals cross fences (in 5 or 10 seconds), especially those influenced by drugs and other substances, the biggest crimes occur when criminals enter residential estates through the gate.
Additionally, some of the most newsworthy crimes are committed by people known within the residential estate. This means a crime committed by a worker, resident, family member, or visitor of the residential estate. Security risk assessors refer to this type of incident as “inner crime.”
We recently conducted an independent security risk assessment for a residential estate in Somerset West, where we identified risks that are frequently missed in standard assessments. Our independent perspective allowed us to recommend targeted measures to enhance the safety of residents and strengthen the estate’s overall security framework.
If you would like to learn more about our assessments or have specific topics you would like us to address, please email your suggestions to andre@alwinco.co.za. We will create and publish articles on our website tailored to your interests.
Key reasons why security risk assessments are avoided.
Most estate managements do not want a security risk assessment because they know their current security measures are lacking. I’m talking about 20 years’ experience and case studies.
Management or security managers know that a security risk assessment will reveal numerous risks and imperfections. They don’t see that a security assessment is a more educational process. It is not a witch hunt.
After a security risk assessment,
Not all recommendations can be implemented immediately, for budget reasons. But management will know which risk is important and needs first attention.
Not every security solution costs money. Some improvements or risk specific solutions, like changing policies, rewriting standard operating procedures (SOPs), increasing visibility, enhancing management, and conducting more frequent inspections, cost almost nothing but significantly improve security.
The two biggest mistakes in all residential estates
In my 20 years of experience conducting security risk assessments, I have observed two major mistakes made by residential estates.
- Data Network: Data transfer is the process of moving digital information from one location to another. This network that transfers the security data to a central point is always five (5) to eight (8) times too small. With the increased security camera functionality, the transferred data will be much larger. We’re not sure what the future compression rate will be. The reason is that the current network, already small and struggling to carry data, will not be sufficient to handle the growing data volume. The current cameras are 4K, but in two years’ time, all cameras will work in 8K; 4K cameras will not be available.
- Developers frequently build control rooms ten times too small and staff them inadequately. This reflects a misunderstanding of the control room’s function and the human resources required. Ensure your control room is big enough and designed to handle incoming information efficiently. Remember, a control room is not a dumping ground for data. Control rooms should not only collect data; they should also engage in proper data mining, which is not an invasion of privacy but a security necessity.
Accountability
Directors and Residential Estate must be aware that they could face accountability for their decisions for up to five years after leaving their positions.
Residential management needs to be aware of every single event that takes place in the residential estate at all times. Understanding the need for balanced security is essential.
As a result,
A security manager employed by the residential estate should be in charge of the estate security portfolio, while a security manager working for the service provider should be in charge of the service provider’s portfolio. The two security managers must communicate and maintain a security balance.
Another issue with residential security is that many residents desire “poof” security that operates without human intervention. They want effective security measures in place, without having to see or interact with them.
The residential estate’s
directors and estate management need to safeguard themselves by making the right decisions and having the required documentation to support those decisions.
An independent security risk assessment, conducted by someone not involved in the current security measures or solutions, can help you with all this.
Should you have any questions
please contact us via email; we can set up a teams meeting and discuss the queries you have. andre@alwinco.co.za
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Written by Andre Mundell Independent security risk assessor and consultant at Alwinco.
Alwinco conducts Security Risk Assessments throughout South Africa, with a significant presence in Gauteng (including Anlinn, Johannesburg, Carlswald, Sandton, and Hatfield), as well as in Bloemfontein, Durban, and Houtbaai.