Security Risk Assessment
Independent Security Risk Assessment: Why Rushing It Could Cost You Everything
Would you trust a heart surgeon who promises to complete a transplant in just 20 minutes? It sounds absurd. Yet in the security industry, clients often expect the same kind of unrealistic speed. Many request a full Independent Security Risk Assessment to be completed in days, without understanding the depth and complexity of the process.
At Alwinco, we do not believe in shortcuts. A proper security risk assessment takes time, observation, and analysis. It is not a checklist or a walkaround followed by a templated report. It is a detailed investigation that identifies the risks others miss and provides solutions that actually work.
If you want a real assessment that delivers real protection, contact us at andre@alwinco.co.za. You can arrange a phone call or a Teams meeting so we can assist you. Proper security cannot be rushed, and when done right, it makes all the difference.
Independent security risk assessment.
Would you trust a heart surgeon who promises a full heart transplant in 20 minutes? Sounds ridiculous, right?
Yet, clients in the world of security risk assessments constantly ask me to conduct a full investigation, analyze risks, and produce a comprehensive report within an impossible timeframe. A week. Sometimes less.
To be clear, a proper security risk assessment is not a mere checklist.
It’s not a quick walkthrough of the premises followed by a templated report. It’s an in-depth process that requires observation, analysis, and strategy. Done right, it uncovers the hidden cracks criminals would exploit. Done wrong or rushed, it’s just a false sense of security wrapped in paperwork. Still think speed matters more than accuracy? Let’s delve into the essential components of a legitimate Independent security risk assessment and understand why compromising on quality could result in more significant consequences than just time savings.
Click here to read more on the biggest security myth that costs more than you think.
A heart transplant in 20 minutes?
In today’s world, one of the biggest issues with independent security risk assessment is the unrealistic timelines set by clients, particularly corporate ones. Many times, I’ve been told that the assessment must be completed in a matter of weeks, no matter the circumstances. The issue lies with those preparing the tenders, as they often don’t fully grasp the scope or effort required for a proper risk assessment.
The first ten days of any security risk assessment
The first 10 days are typically spent getting to know the people, routines, and behaviors of employees, security staff, and clients, and cannot truly be used to assess the security structure, protocols, or similar aspects. During this period, individuals often maintain a facade. They know an assessor is on site and make sure everything appears flawless, guards are punctual, shifts run smoothly, communication is clear, and everything is in perfect order.
It’s the same as when auditors come to inspect; it’s all a smokescreen.
How can I base my findings on a situation where everything is being intentionally made to look flawless? On top of that, I often face deadlines that are not only short but unreasonable. They expect me to travel, conduct the assessment, inspect the premises, identify the risks, research potential solutions, and provide them with a comprehensive report, all in one day. To put this in perspective, none of my security risk assessment reports are under 350 pages per property.
In my professional opinion, this simply isn’t feasible if the job is being done properly.
Consider this: would you trust a doctor who claimed he could perform a heart transplant in 20 minutes? Or a builder who said he could finish a double-story house in one day? And if your mechanic promised to service your car in five minutes, would you feel safe driving it? I’m sure you see the point I’m making. The same principle applies to a security risk assessment.
A security risk assessment is a thorough investigation into your current security status, identifying the risks that open the door to potential crime.
The Independent security risk assessor follows specific steps and conducts research before considering any recommendations. The assessor must assess risks at various times, conduct interviews, review access protocols, examine communication systems, and consider the surrounding neighborhood. The assessor must complete all of this and more before compiling and delivering the final report to the client.
A security risk assessment is not a universally applicable document.
The security risk assessment develops and builds layer by layer as it progresses. This ensures the client receives a tailored, workable plan to mitigate and eliminate crime risks. Would you trust a security assessor to finish an assessment in a day or a week? If you wouldn’t trust a doctor to perform heart surgery in 20 minutes or a builder to complete a house in one day, why trust an assessor to conduct a thorough risk assessment that fast? Companies push for these short timeframes because they don’t fully understand the complexities of an independent security risk assessment.
Additionally, they frequently postpone the assessment until the last minute, subsequently exerting pressure on the assessor to meet an unattainable deadline.
This approach not only creates risks but also compromises the integrity of the assessment. Companies often choose the assessor who promises the fastest turnaround and then present the rushed work as a completed security risk assessment. But how can we properly complete all the necessary processes, research, and documentation in just a few days or a week?
Under pressure and with limited time, it is inevitable to make compromises. But when it comes to security, do you really want to take that risk?
Article written by Andre Mundell. #Independent security risk assessment.
Security risk assessments are accessible through our services in Brandwag, Glenwood, Sea Point, Menlo Park, Boksburg, Waterfall, and additional key urban centers.
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