Is your security a necessary evil ?

OVERCOMING THE GLASS HOUSE EFFECT

People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. If you are like most Americans, you probably grew up with this old cliché’ firmly planted in your heart, by your parents. Well, this old saying certainly rings true for your corporate  security department. Traditionally, from managements point of view, corporate security has always operated from a fish bowl. This is due in part because security is a necessary evil ,that does not contribute to the corporation’s bottom line profit. So security should be extra cautious, when responding to managements innuendos. 

How did this corporate mindset come about and how can it be remedied?              Corporate Management usually sees security  as holding to the outdated philosophy of “Controlling and Enforcement” rather than a philosophy of “Service and Consultation”. When this outdated corporate fish bowl syndrome occurs, security generally has two basic options. Response can either be of a positive or negative nature. Obviously, in order to survive   in this contemporary security society, the response must be positive.  In other words the old idea of taking a “Reactive” security approach has now given way to the new “Proactive” attitude.

In order to convert the glass house syndrome from a negative to a positive impression, the objective must be shifted from the outdated control and enforcement concept to that of service and consultation. What will this new innovative approach accomplish” Simple stated, it will produce results by:

1.Boosting  Security’s professional image.

2.Enhancing Security’s credibility both within and outside the corporation.

3.Increased productivity.

Now, a plan of action must be devised, to change the Glass House image. First and foremost, management support must be solicited. Then once management approval is obtained, three more objectives have to be met. Develop a mission statement, establish goals, and educate the corporations personnel, to the new proactive philosophy.

The Mission Statement, by design, should be brief and to the point but of a positive nature.

MISSION STATEMENT

1.Corporate Security is dedicated to the task of providing for physical protection of the personnel, property, records and assets.

2. It is to be recognized, throughout the corporation as a department known for its integrity, commitment, and responsiveness driven by a passion for service.

To be effective, the goals must be in place to compliment the departments Mission Statement. The goals should also be brief and attainable.

GOALS

1. Establish and administer  procedures to protect personnel, customers and assets

2. Create an attitude of preparedness and concern.

3. Provide information on the proper care of security devices.

4. Standardize security policies, practices and procedures.

And last, but not least, comes the education task. The mission statement is positive and the goals realistic. However, the security must be accepted by management and the  employees alike, to be effective. Once excepted by management, the training agenda has to be presented positively to employees, in the form of formal presentations, to include:

1. Power point presentations

2.  Security Manual Review

3. Written Handouts

Because security is fundamental to the protection of employees and assets, it is imperative that the glass house syndrome have a positive effect on security’s total function. When the mission statement is understood, the goals are realized, and the employee education is successful, any corporate security program’s glass house can withstand the corporate stones.