{"id":3992,"date":"2022-01-20T16:03:02","date_gmt":"2022-01-20T15:03:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.digitalid.co.uk\/blog\/?p=3992"},"modified":"2024-11-14T00:21:08","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T23:21:08","slug":"measure-the-effectiveness-of-your-physical-security-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.digitalid.co.uk\/blog\/measure-the-effectiveness-of-your-physical-security-system\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Measure the Effectiveness of Your Physical Security System"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The role of a security system is to minimise risks and block potential threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it’s not enough for physical security systems to simply do their job – for them to be effective, they must do their job well<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many companies are unaware of how competent their existing systems are. With no visible profits or financial returns, it can be difficult to establish whether security controls are working efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it can be done. And it’s actually pretty important to check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that security programs have become an essential part of an organisation’s infrastructure, we’re helping you make sure your organisation utilises only the best security controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

How to measure the effectiveness of your physical security controls<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. Security audit<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Vulnerability assessment<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Interview stakeholders<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Assess incident response<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Create processes for future risk management<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    1. Security audit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    A security audit allows you to determine your organisation’s system by checking it against an established set of criteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The steps to carry out a physical security audit are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Establish clear goals\u00a0<\/strong>– What are you trying to achieve? How will this be done?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Identify the size of your audit\u00a0<\/strong>– On what scale will your audit be held?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Carry out the security audit<\/strong>\u00a0– Assess all aspects of your system and identify potential threats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Evaluate and manage risks<\/strong>\u00a0– Evaluate the results and look at risk management processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Identify necessary changes\u00a0<\/strong>– Which measures can you implement to strengthen your system?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    2. Vulnerability assessment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    A vulnerability assessment is an extension of your security audit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Vulnerability scans allow you to identify flaws in your system. Not only are they extremely useful for identifying weaknesses, but the findings of a vulnerability assessment also make it clear which future actions should be taken to improve system efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    For instance, let’s consider access control systems.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    A vulnerability assessment may show that your organisation uses outdated access control methods<\/a>, such as low-frequency proximity cards, that are susceptible to credential cloning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    After finding out this information, security personnel can implement a more secure access method, such as HID’s mobile access control solution<\/a>. Mobile access uses advanced mobile technology that supersedes outdated physical security technology, thus protecting your company and data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    3. Interview stakeholders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Of course, it will mainly be security personnel dealing with security-related issues. However, that’s not to say that others should not be aware of the processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For example, asking employees for their input can help establish issues that may not necessarily be obvious to others. Furthermore, interviewing other stakeholders allows system administrators to compile in-depth information about their security systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This also allows employees to feel included in the process and enhances the importance of ensuring an effective system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    4. Assess incident response<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Incident response is important to minimise the impact of breaches. The two main factors to consider in assessments are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n