This is a typical question that we are asked by insurance companies and law firms when we are engaged to provide independent expert reports regarding claims, often involving alleged duty of care failure.
Over the past fifty or so years as physical security has evolved as a science, and electronic systems have become far more sophisticated than the basic burglar alarm, the emphasis has shifted toward access control systems, internet-enabled video surveillance, integrated systems and all manner of electronic wizardry designed to thwart criminals.
The Unseen Interloper – Smart or Lucky?
What is often overlooked is the fact that property crime is still frequently successful, indicating that the “low level criminal” has found ways and means of defeating security systems through remarkably simple mechanical techniques, aided and abetted by skills that are easily learned from seasoned criminals and knowledge available from the source-rich internet. Information about physical construction and performance characteristics of detection devices has become freely available from thousands of sources on the world wide web. Security products are easy to obtain for criminals to practice their craft. These factors are all enablers for criminals.
Some of the basic elements of intruder detection have remained essentially unchanged in design and as such have become de facto standard devices. The majority of these devices have changed only cosmetically in over half a century! Commonly deployed detection devices today are easy to compromise.
Systems and therefore the properties they supposedly protect are compromised, typically during busy or ‘after-hour’ periods. As evidenced from the many technical investigations that we have conducted on behalf of insurance companies after criminal incidents, perpetrators are often criminals that know and exploit the vulnerabilities of security systems. Trusted insiders are sometimes suspected.
Sloppy installation and poor maintenance practices also contribute to the vulnerability of security systems. For a variety of reasons, security vulnerabilities are often seeded during the procurement process waiting for germination. The knowledge to competently identify system vulnerabilities by consultants or others who design, or audit systems is often missing in action and the system ‘owner’ is usually none the wiser until a successful criminal attack.
Organisations seeking genuine and robust protection from physical crime and independent quality assurance assessment of their security systems, and insurance underwriters wanting to minimise their risks should seriously consider commissioning an independent and expert technical vulnerability assessment. Resilience requires knowledge. Harris Security Management can advise you on your current vulnerabilities and how to overcome them.
See our related Blog “Do you really know the condition of your security system?” https://harris.com.au/2018/09/29/do-you-really-know-the-condition-of-your-security-system/
Why engage HSM?
Harris Security Management has been a leading Australian security risk management consultancy providing trusted and expert services since 1983.
We do not install security systems or monitor alarms – our independence and expertise are critical to your due diligence, security, business and insurance protection.
We are engaged by insurance companies to forensically audit security management systems after criminal attacks and as a proactive measure when properties have identified high crime risk. These engagements provide further and necessary knowledge of the methods criminals use to defeat security systems including by, or with the assistance of ‘trusted insiders’.
Our services clearly provide evidence of your commitment to security and safety duty of care.
An independent security system audit by our licensed and highly respected subject matter experts will significantly assist you to meet legal and social responsibility obligations.
You will never know the true integrity of your security and video surveillance systems until an audit by expert technical specialists, independent of your specifier and maintenance provider, has occurred.
Happy to discuss how our expert and trusted services will meet your needs and concerns.
Stay safe and stay Informed…
Should you have a strategic, operational or compliance interest in the physical protection of people, infrastructure, property or supply chain, please ‘Follow us’ on LinkedIn.
Contact
Geoff Harris, Principal Consultant –
info@harris.com.au or telephone +61 2 9560 9933
HARRIS SECURITY MANAGEMENT
Integrated Security and Emergency Risk Management for Facilities, Crowded Places and Supply Networks.
Trusted independent security consultants since 1983 – Celebrating 40 years of thought leadership in security.
Master security licence 407642890
Proud Corporate Partner with the Protective Security Network
Disclaimer:
- This article is intended to stimulate and focus conversation on security and related risk management. Full reading of the referenced source material (article, report, guidelines, or policy etc) is recommended.
- The article is of a general nature only, it is not a comprehensive analysis and not contextualised.
- We take no responsibility for privacy protection, cyber risks or associated legal obligations of websites hosting the referenced source material linked in our article.
- Discussion on the referenced source material does not provide professional advice from us. Seek expert analysis and advice relevant to your specific context from trusted advisers. You are welcome to contact us.
- The article may raise legal issues to contribute to relevance, but in no way provides expert legal opinion or professional legal advice.
- We do not provide endorsement or assessment on information or research provided by others that may be referenced in this article.
- We do not assess for use of artificial intelligence (AI) in referenced source material.
- We do not own or claim intellectual property rights to, or related to, referenced source material, unless otherwise specifically stated. Please respect the owners of intellectual property.
© Copyright. All rights reserved. Sydney, Australia 2024.
Originally posted 2020, updated 12 December 2024
