Archives

Addressing Radical Threats Through Security Solutions

Chemical, biological and radiological threats to essential building areas are among the most dangerous security issues building engineers confront today. While vast, understanding the definition of a “critical area” is a primary prerequisite for a well-informed and well-prepared building engineer. Critical areas include air intake vents and other heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) components; mechanical areas with access to water supplies, communication systems and emergency power generators; rooftops; and other interior spaces such as lobbies, mailrooms, loading docks, storage areas and building entry areas. Jeopardizing the security of these spaces could not only put the physical structure of the facility at risk, but it could also endanger the building tenants.

According to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Center for Biosecurity, biological weapons, defined as any microorganisms with potential to cause disease or produce toxin, are an urgent and growing threat to U.S. national security. Most commercial buildings are not developed or maintained to reduce occupants’ risk of exposure, making them attractive targets for attacks because of their potential to produce mass casualties and great economic loss.

Fortunately, a wide range of security solutions can help mitigate the risks, but peace of mind comes at a cost: the most advanced systems today can have a price tag into the six figures, leaving building engineers frustrated, especially given their tight budgets in today’s suffering economy. However, if the buildings are improperly secured at the most basic level, even those able to afford such high-end systems often find them ineffective. To provide elemental peace of mind and prime a facility to maximize more advanced systems, building engineers must first ensure that fundamental steps are taken.

The following tips can help address a building’s basic security needs and will help maximize the safety of the facility and its occupants, whether or not the engineer has spent the time and expense to implement new solutions.
Regardless of whether a building is using high-tech security solutions or younger versions of these systems or not, these basic tips are worth revisiting to evaluate overall security regularly.

Ensure All Doors Close and Lock Properly. A high-quality door lock is the first line of defense to prevent access to restricted areas. But not all locks are created equal. Commercial office buildings should utilize a Grade 1 Lock (commercial grade), which is built more durably and able to withstand greater abuse and higher traffic than others. Doors used frequently should be inspected throughout the year to be sure they are operating correctly, while others used less frequently should be evaluated annually.

Controlling The Keys. Keeping track of the individuals with keys to critical areas is another way to minimize risk. If such keys can be duplicated offsite without authorization from the building, you do not have key control and, consequently, cannot protect these areas even at a basic level.

Using a restricted key system is one of the easiest ways to be sure keys remain in the right hands. Keys in restricted systems are only duplicable by authorized building personnel or professional locksmiths (that have permission to copy the keys) and provide the building engineer with control over the number of keys in circulation.

With a restricted key system already in place, the next step in protecting these areas would be to maintain an accurate list of individuals with keys to these areas. This can be difficult based on the size of the building and the area, as well as the traffic regularly entering and exiting these areas. While some buildings utilize specialized software to track key users, buildings with less sophisticated key systems can easily use hand written logs. The important issue is to know exactly who has access to these spaces.

As an added perk, restricted key systems offer long-term savings benefits. Since buildings require these keys to be returned upon an employee’s resignation, the need to change locks and/or replace keys regularly is eliminated, amounting to several thousand dollars in savings each year. This leaves additional room in the security budget for new or updated solutions.

Controlling Door Activity. All building engineers should maintain a list of individuals entering and exiting critical areas, as well as the dates and times of these activities. This provides building management with a report to determine the individuals who gained access to the area before or during an incident. Many times, this, too, can be accomplished with a simple sign-in sheet.

However, many buildings cannot rely upon the honor system alone and have begun to utilize stand-alone access control locks. Newer versions come with many added benefits, like the ability to delete and add single access codes to lock out certain individuals without affecting other users, and it can restrict access to individuals during certain time periods. The systems also provide an “audit trail,” or report of activity, which would be helpful if a security-related incident occurred.

Utilize Surveillance Cameras. Installing and implementing surveillance cameras is a relatively easy and low-cost way to maximize security, with solutions priced as low as a few thousand dollars. While security cameras don’t necessarily deter crime, they often play a critical role in crime detection - helping to identify perpetrators. Oftentimes, surveillance cameras even help stop a predator in his/her tracks, as they are reluctant to continue knowing their activity is being recorded.

Summary: Complex Security Threats Can Be Addressed Through Simple Solutions. Without proactively securing critical areas at the most basic level, even a building with advanced security systems cannot provide complete protection from extreme issues such as chemical, biological and radioactive crimes. Decreasing access to critical areas and taking other basic steps to improve security of these areas are key tools to help building engineers effectively confront these threats - regardless of the security system they have in place.

Tom Glavin is president of Glavin Security Specialists, one of the leading security and locksmith companies in the Chicagoland area that has been protecting businesses and families for more than 55 years. More than a locksmith, Glavin offers a wide range of high-security products that go far beyond traditional locks and has become a trusted advisor to many of Chicago’s largest commercial buildings with their overall security concerns.

Archives