8CIOReview | | OCTOBER 2020In a world where headlines of active shooters at workplaces spread like wildfire on social and mainstream media, the role of physical security teams has never been more complexand more vital. Complicating our jobs are not only new and old threats, but the challenge of managing these threats when they can be shared in real time, hampering our ability to manage a situation, keep it confidential and most of all ­ our workforce safe.And while physical security breaches often make headlines, most people tend to pay more attention to cyber security and the fear of data theft. In companies that have distinct physical and cyber security teams, we know that the best security programs function collaboratively, taking a holistic approach to protect organizations. While we can never eradicate threats, we can and should make every effort to ensure a safe work environment for employees, intellectual property and the corporate reputation.As a 22-year veteran of the FBI and a 14-year employee in corporate security, I have spent years managing security for government and corporations. I have taken the key learnings from my career to create a physical security checklist for organizations of all sizes to ensure they are doing the very best to keep teams safe and property secure.Take Your Company's PulseFirst and foremost, companies need to establish a baseline of physical security processes. While this may seem basic, I have walked into situations where organizations do not have a complete understanding of their physical security resources and most of all-- their threats. The goal of an assessment is to identify credible threats, identify vulnerable areas, assess the potential consequences and prioritize the risks.The results of the risk assessment are then documented, along with recommendations to remedy any gaps. The assessment should be done on a regular basis, as new treats, equipment, buildings and employees make the existing assessment outdated in short order. The key to an assessment is reviewing with teams the following:· Threat and Vulnerability· Site and Facility Security· Facility Operating Procedures· Physical Security Systems· Electronic Security Systems· Security Policies and Procedures· Company Security Culture and PracticesWe traditionally think of assessments as an audit of only facilities, security systems and teams. But what about employees? What are their concerns? With those headlines of workplace violence comes fear for many team members. How do we understand what their concerns are in order to ensure that we are not only listening to them, but addressing what matters most to our colleagues? Make sure that any assessment includes a yearly pulse of employees' concerns because they also play a vital role in workplace security.PHYSICAL SECURITY FOR A CONFIDENT FUTUREBy Jana Monroe, Vice President of Global Security, Herbalife [NYSE: HLF]IN MY OPINION
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