Understanding security risks requires viewing the property and potential criminal opportunities from the criminal’s perspective—an essential approach for effective security design.
Security consultant security design – Throughout my career, I have worked with various security managers across a wide range of properties, from schools to farms, warehouses to corporate environments, and homes to residential estates, both in the public and private sectors. I am familiar with the responsibilities of a security manager, and frankly, I often bring more knowledge and experience to the table than many professionals in that role.
We recently conducted an independent security risk assessment for a hospital in East London, where we identified risks that are often missed in conventional assessments. Our independent perspective allowed us to recommend practical measures to protect patients, staff, and visitors while enhancing the overall security of the facility.
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As a security consultant,
I have had the privilege of working with over 600 different organizations. This extensive experience has greatly enriched my understanding and expertise. Each project contributes to a vast repository of insights, which I draw upon like a comprehensive library of information to design effective and customized security solutions.
Allow me to elaborate. Most security managers or general managers in this field typically hold two or three career positions throughout their professional lives. This translates to having an average of three distinct “career experiences.” In contrast, I have assessed hundreds of different properties over the past 36 years. This extensive exposure grants me a deeper knowledge than the average security manager, who interacts with the same property and individuals daily.
Over time,
I have also developed a deep understanding of both criminal behavior and the mindset of security guards. I am well-acquainted with the guarding network and have detailed knowledge of criminal networks. Additionally, I possess exceptional expertise in operational documents, processes (SOPs), and security agreements.
I stay informed on risk and crime trends daily, keeping up with the latest criminal modus operandi, as well as advancements in security hardware and technology.
Unfortunately, no tertiary institution offers a dedicated course in security risk assessments, making it difficult to acquire a formal degree specifically in this field. Most institutions only provide courses for risk managers—a very different concept and approach compared to being an independent security risk assessor. Before you can manage a risk, you must first identify it.
For further reading,
I recommend the article “Risk assessment vs. risk management vs. health and safety” at https://www.securitysa.com/14053r.
Many risk managers can write extensive theses about risk, but they often struggle to apply these concepts to real-world scenarios. Risk is not about recalling what a professor said in class years ago; it’s about recognizing and addressing what is directly in front of you at this moment.
As mentioned, my experience spans a variety of fields, including law enforcement, security operations, and security risk assessments. I focus on security risks because they create opportunities for crime.
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Written by Andre Mundell. # security consultant security design
Our independent security consultants cover a wide footprint in South Africa, including Gauteng (Pretoria, Braamfontein, Midrand, Sandton, and Menlo Park), Bloemfontein, Durban, and Cape Town.