In this article we will deal with one of the primary needs of the individual: the guarantee of security of property. Here, we will check some concepts related to the subject and analyze the ways in which patrimonial security can be assured. Curious? Then check it out!
What is asset security?
Asset security is the set of preventive measures to avoid or reduce asset losses of a certain organization. We consider companies and institutions as organizations, as well as condominiums and residences.
It is important to emphasize that these measures must be thought in an integrated way, to ensure that one influences the other positively. It is necessary to ensure, for example, that there is an anti-theft system integrated to a good ordinance control, in order to cover the whole structure to be protected.
Asset security then protects all the interests of the organization in terms of existing financial resources, its physical assets (represented by facilities, stocks, equipment, vehicles and so on) and also its human resources.
With this in mind, it is possible to easily identify the degree of importance it assumes in any circumstance, don’t you agree? In some situations, this importance may even represent the guarantee that the organization will fulfill the functions for which it was established. Follow the next topic to learn more!
How important is asset security?
Besides preserving the most evident values of any organization, represented by both people and material assets, asset security can even guarantee the continuity of processes in some business segments. And this factor makes it essential, including from the point of view of productive strategy.
Have you ever thought, for example, if a fire of great proportions occurs or if several vehicles are stolen in a carrier? These fatalities can not only harm but even paralyze the business activities, besides affecting the credibility of the organization! And all of this can be avoided with the implementation of a well dimensioned security system.
In so many other cases, asset security can be essential to make the very existence of the business viable. Currency exchange offices, which deal with cash at all times, jewelry factories, jewelry shops and technology equipment companies are some of these types of companies that cannot dispense with the adoption of asset security measures. The need arises, then, to think about these issues since the beginning of the project to implement the commercial point.
Every good system of patrimonial security must fulfill general functions of prevention so that it can be applied to any organization. However, some functions can be more relevant for one or another case, evaluation that must be done before the implantation.
It is necessary to observe the particularities of each situation, analyzing the risks and the need for prevention against the following possibilities:
- Fires;
- Internal and external thefts;
- Assaults;
- Acts of espionage and unfair competition;
- Violation of computerized systems;
- Acts of terrorism;
- Sabotages and intentional stoppages of processes;
- Blackmails;
- Violent strikes;
- Use of alcohol and drugs in the work environment;
- Epidemics and collective contamination;
- Accidents, explosions and landslides;
- Kidnappings of leaders (or their relatives).
How to ensure asset security?
The correct sizing of an asset security system (the one that will be able to prevent risks and avoid occurrences) starts from a preliminary analysis that considers all the factors exposed and the most vulnerable points in the organization’s routines.
Only with this evaluation it will be possible to identify which measures need to be adopted, always taking into account the established norms, the equipment to be installed and the formation of the team in charge of security. In this sense, it is necessary to consider basically the following principles:
Prevention
Security arrangements must be able to prevent anything that could negatively affect the organization’s processes.
Inhibition
The security system must have an ostensible character in order to inhibit criminals from acting on the spot. Analyzing the site externally, the security system must demonstrate that any criminal practices on site will be extremely risky.
Ability to react
If prevention and inhibition are not enough to prevent a criminal action, the system must foresee the reaction to stop the criminals. Either by reacting directly against them, or by alerting public security agencies.
Training
The routine procedures and those that need to be adopted in case of occurrences must be performed in a conscious, agile and precise manner, which can only be achieved through adequate training.
Investment
It must be proportional to the risks taken.
Measures
They should not hinder the organization’s processes.
Efficiency
All those involved in the team must be fully qualified to perform the delegated functions;
Integration
The department in charge of security must be completely integrated with the others in the organization.
Transparency
All and any procedure must be understood, admitted and approved by all those involved internally in the process.
Secrecy
The information contained in the Security Plan should be restricted exclusively to the people involved in the process, limiting as much as possible its access to other people.
So now let’s check in more detail the factors of asset security?
Perimeter Security
An essential point of asset security is to ensure the ability to protect against violations and unauthorized access. Most of the time, the invaders aim at committing robberies, assaults, kidnappings, sabotage or other criminal actions.
It is essential to detect the presence of suspicious individuals in the vicinity of the organization or in places where they should not be.
The truth is that as much difficulty as possible must be added between the external area and the internal area to be protected. This should be done by designing physical and electronic perimeter barrier systems, such as:
- High walls
- Electric fences
- Perimeter and concertine sensors
The devices must be adopted by analyzing the particularity of each location. A good perimeter security must basically consider two aspects:
- To make it as difficult as possible to transpose the physical barriers, which can be done by raising the height of the barrier or creating access difficulties with sharp devices (concertina, skewers and shards of glass) or electric fences.
- In case of barrier violation, the designed system must allow for prompt identification. In the case of the electric fence, the wire breakage triggers this alarm or also through perimeter sensors that allow this identification. Intelligent cameras with Video Analytics could help in this process.
The locks on the external gates also deserve attention. What good is having high walls and electric fences if the front gate lock is easily broken through.
The use of security dogs is also interesting to assist in perimeter security. Well trained dogs, besides being an important inhibition factor for invaders, identify through barks any stranger that is prowling in the place to eventually practice criminal acts.