At Protus3, we take great pride in helping our clients identify risks and develop practical and sound strategies to manage, mitigate, and leverage those risks. Usually those risks involve insider or outsider threats carried out by persons with nefarious intent. The threats come in various forms – overt and plainly visible (think intruder) or covert and not plainly evident (think …
CPTED – Security Design Beyond the Acronym
As progressive managers and owners of contemporary organizations search for ways to reduce company losses caused by criminal acts, they are beginning to examine more closely the actual environment in which these crimes take place. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) as part of a security design can reduce the fear of crime. It can also reduce the actual incidence …
Perimeter Security
Every security program must be an integrated whole and each element must grow out of the specific needs dictated by the circumstances affecting the facility to be protected. Nevertheless, the first and basic defense is still the outer perimeter of the facility. Planning this defense is neither difficult nor complicated, but it is the product of common sense. Whereas the …
Security Areas and Lighting!
I have been the security expert in over 400 lawsuits alleging inadequate or negligent security. Many of those cases happened at night and, in most, the plaintiff alleged that the light was not adequate. Since lighting is one of the few security areas in which written standards exist, it is absolutely essential that your building entrances, pedestrian areas, or parking …
Security Threat Assessments for Education
In an ideal world, our schools, colleges, and universities would be immune from the threats and challenges that affect other businesses and institutions. Unfortunately, we do not live in an ideal world. Academic institutions are cross-sections of society and bear the same responsibilities for the safety and security of their populations and infrastructure. This cross-section brings with it all the …
The Dark Parking Lot
I went to a local big box store and pulled into the parking lot at about 6:30pm – not too late in the evening but after dark in the winter. As I was parking I received a phone call, so I sat in my car to complete the call. While on the phone it occurred to me how dark the …
There is no substitute for a site visit
We recently were asked to evaluate the security of a facility where a nighttime injury occurred in a parking deck. Upon preliminary review after receiving the information and photos, no real problems were noted. The facility looked well-kept, and reports were that their security was reasonable and up-to-date. The client was advised that a “long-distance’” review would frequently overlook critical …
What is Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design?
We recently had the opportunity to create a guide and reference for property owners and community stakeholders to use as an aid in understanding the concepts and strategies that can be used to improve security and the quality of life in their neighborhoods. During that process, we researched the concept of CPTED, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, an approach that …