Assessing The Vulnerablity Of Office Buildings

Updated: June 30, 2010

First we have to admit there is a problem. Our office buildings are soft targets; meaning they are vulnerable in numerous ways to terrorists and criminal activity. They may have CCTV, perimeter barriers, alarms and an onsite security force. Some will have x-ray and metal detectors if they house high risk or high profile clients. Most however do not have a comprehensive security/safety plan, nor are their security forces adequately trained or prepared to recognize, assess and deal with these types of incidents in order to preserve lives, property and infrastructure. I work with many clients who are based out of office towers. When I visit them at their workplace I get to observe just how vulnerable they are firsthand. Multiply this vulnerability by the number of office buildings in your city and you begin to see the scope of the problem.

So why don't we take the time to institute an operational security plan and ensure that any onsite security has adequate training to implement the plan in case of an emergency? Well, it comes down to money. You see having a security audit conducted and developing an operational security plan is not cheap. Companies that specialize in this area have a breadth of knowledge and experience to ensure that all aspects of safety/security are addressed. Diligence and Superior Protection & Consultancy and are two excellent examples.

Properly equipping and training security personnel takes time, training, experience and money. Properly instituted security can be minimally intrusive while ensuring that adequate protection is instituted based on a realistic threat assessment. Obviously buildings with high profile or high risk clients (consulates, federal or provincial government agencies) would need a much greater level of security in place. What it comes down to is Risk Management and Mitigation. Now multiply this cost and use of resources by the number of office buildings just in your city and you begin to see the cost of remediation.

Some of the common areas of concern that need to be addressed in the security plan are;

• Fire/Arson
• Theft (information, technology, infrastructure, data, blueprints, key personnel)
• Explosive Devices (bomb threats, suicide bomber, mail bombs, truck bombs, etc)
• Cyber Attacks
• Criminal Activity
• Weapons Related Incidents
• Hostage Situations
• Biological/Radiological Incidents
• Attacks on Utilities Infrastructure (power, gas, communications, information/data, emergency response)

Buildings have unique characteristics that must be analyzed and accounted for to ensure the safety of the buildings tenants and employees. Some of the factors that should influence security planning are;

• Proximity to High Value Targets
• Building Design
• Types of Tenants/Occupations
• Potential for Collateral Damage
• Fire Suppression Limitations/Vulnerability
• Site and Perimeter Vulnerability
• Access Control Vulnerability (tenants, visitors, parking, loading docks, elevators, food services, stair wells, etc)
• Vulnerability by Design
• HVAC Vulnerability
• Infrastructure/Operations and Utility Vulnerability
• Emergency Response Vulnerability
• Information/Data Vulnerability