One of the most common mistakes I see with clients is their rush to a specific solution.
Independent security risk assessment – Clients often come to me with a predetermined product or system in mind, whether it’s CCTV, card access, alarms, or audit procedures, expecting me to implement it without first defining the problem. They’re quick to spend money but slow to understand that without a clear problem statement and a functional design process, they’re not addressing the real issues. It’s incredible how much gets wasted before I can get them to pause and engage with my questions.
We recently conducted an independent security risk assessment for a government facility in Cape Town, where we identified vulnerabilities that are often overlooked in standard assessments. Our independent approach enabled us to recommend practical measures to protect staff, visitors, and critical infrastructure while improving the facility’s overall security.
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Just recently,
I sat in a security meeting at a large corporate company with all their managers in the room. Once again, I saw the same misunderstanding: security is still treated like an afterthought, almost as if it’s as simple as buying a soft drink or plugging in an alarm. The reality is that companies in South Africa rarely take the time to plan their security properly.
This particular company had huge security flaws, and as I began to explain the basics of a security risk assessment, I could tell their timeline was far too short. Despite me stressing the importance of a thorough assessment to identify vulnerabilities, and they had plenty, the focus remained on finding a quick fix. They weren’t interested in taking the time to understand their unique risks or develop a comprehensive plan. Instead, they just wanted an instant solution. The purpose of the assessment is to empower management to take charge of their security, but I left the meeting unconvinced that they fully understood what I was trying to explain.
This mindset that security is a low priority or something you shouldn’t invest heavily in persists.
There’s still this image of security being nothing more than a guard with a baton and a dog.
What made this situation more troubling was that I was sitting in a boardroom full of managers from a large corporate entity, and the questions they asked clearly showed they hadn’t given much thought to their company’s security. Even after I went into detail about the need for a proper security risk assessment, they were still seeking an instant solution. It’s a troubling sign of how poor security awareness is, not just for that company but across many corporates in South Africa. Security simply doesn’t make it to the top of their priority lists.
Here’s a list of the most common mistakes companies make regarding security:
Common Security Mistakes:
- Basing security decisions on guesses.
- Not dedicating time to security planning.
- Lack of knowledge on effective security measures.
- Being unprepared before or after a criminal incident.
- Security systems that are too small or lack capacity.
- No long-term security planning.
- Failing to ensure all security providers are PSIRA-registered.
- No training for employees or security officers.
- Never having an independent security risk assessment conducted.
- Hiring the lowest bidder for security services.
- Not allocating a proper security budget.
- Viewing physical security as an expense, not an asset.
- Prioritizing information security over physical security.
- Not thoroughly reading or understanding security risk proposals.
- Involving unqualified friends or family in security decisions.
- Relying on outdated security strategies.
- Copying security plans from one property to another.
- Skipping the crucial step of an independent security risk assessment.
Unfortunately, the prevailing mindset in South Africa seems to be that wisdom only comes after a disaster. People wait until they experience a significant crime or financial loss before realizing the importance of security. But it shouldn’t take a catastrophic event for us to wake up to the reality of the risks we face. Consulting with an independent security risk consultant can help you avoid the common security mistakes others make.
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Article written by Andre Mundell. # Independent security risk consultant
We do security risk assessments for customers in Arcadia, Bloemfontein, Bluff, Pretoria, Observatory, and Gauteng, like Braamfontein, Jhb Cbd, Kempton Park, etc. These assessments apply to homes, businesses, industrial estates, farms, and other types of property.