A Detailed 10-step Physical Security Checklist

Beyond any doubt, ensuring a proper physical security assessment is a must-have for an organization. Do you ever think about what’s the best way to ensure a perfect physical security assessment?

The best way is to maintain a curated checklist. A physical security checklist is the best possible way to cover all the aspects of the assessment. It also helps to ensure that no sort of vulnerable spot is left behind.

For maintaining the security of a business, the checklist is even more essential. It helps keep businesses, employees, and valuable stuff safe.

However, maintaining the checklist won’t help anyway if you fail to make a perfect one. So, the question must arise about what should be in a physical security checklist, right?

That’s what we are going to talk about in this article. So, stay with us till the end to learn everything about the checklist.

What Is a Physical Security Risk Assessment?

As you see, the topic here is all about a checklist. The aim of the checklist is to assess the physical risk of a commercial building or your property.

Here, physical security risk assessment is like a safety check that covers everything in a specific place. It identifies things that could be harmful or dangerous.

This assessment helps keep people, things, and information safe. It finds weak spots, like broken locks or dark areas. Then, it makes plans to fix them.

People ensure this assessment regularly to stop problems and keep places secure. That’s why physical security risk assessments are a must-have for businesses, any commercial or private area.

However, to ensure the assessment is proper and perfect, you can make a checklist. It’ll ensure you that nothing is left behind. That’s what a physical security checklist is.

Ultimate Physical Security Checklist 

No doubt a checklist is important to ensure a proper physical risk assessment. However, making a proper checklist is crucial.

You should analyze all the risky areas with physical security concerns. There is no way a security assessing officer can take a vulnerable section lightly.

However, here we have made a checklist of 10 specific factors for physical security. These needs and requirements can be different for different spaces. 

1. Inspect the Building’s Exterior

For a complete physical security inspection, you should start from the outside area. The exterior is the first line of defense against unauthorized access and potential threats.

Checklists for your office exterior’s physical security:

• Perimeter Fencing: Ensure the fencing is in good condition. It should be free from breaches or damage.
• Access Points: Inspect doors, windows, and other entry points properly. Check for signs of tampering or vulnerabilities.
• Lighting: Verify that the exterior is lit up perfectly. Double-check the parking lot and entryway lights. Make sure all the lights are functioning correctly.
• Landscaping: Trim bushes and trees near the building. It will eliminate potential hiding spots.
• Locks and Alarms: Check the status of locks and alarm systems on all exterior doors and windows. Also, recheck the access of the doors.
• Signage: Ensure that security signs are prominently displayed. It can be a warning to potential intruders.

2. Inspect the Entire Building’s Interior

The security of a commercial building doesn’t end at its exterior area. Indeed, the interior is even more important to check thoroughly. You must examine the interior to protect against unauthorized access and internal threats.

Make sure to check the following facts:

• Access Control: Review access control systems properly. It will confirm that only authorized personnel can enter restricted areas.
• Interior Doors and Locks: Examine all the internal doors of the area. At the same time, ensure that they are equipped with proper locks.
• Corners of the Office: Check the entire internal area and look for any darker corners. Make sure that there are no dark places where violence can occur.
• Visitor Logs: Review visitor logs to monitor and control access to the building.
• Lift and Elevator: Check the elevators and their functions too. You can call the Elevator experts to check their function to make sure that they won’t cause unwanted accidents.

3. Inspect Sensitive Document Storage

If there is any sensitive document storage area or an IT closet, this area should have a close observation. 

In this case, you can ensure the following checklist:

• Cabinet Locks: Go through the file cabinets and storage units with sensitive documents. Check the locks and make sure they are securely organized.
• Access Control: Ensure that only authorized employees have access to this type of area. Keep a record of the people who have access to this place.
• Shredding and Disposal: Establish procedures for the secure disposal of sensitive documents. You should inspect the procedure frequently.
• Inventory: Keep a documented inventory of all sensitive documents and access logs. Check the inventory for extra protection.
• Encryption: It is a more secure idea to encrypt all the virtual documents. You can implement this digital security measure for the security of your essential documents.

4. Check the Emergency Escape Area

Safety should always be a top priority. That’s why there is no way you can avoid an emergency escape. Inspect the areas to ensure they are prepared for different unwanted scenarios.

In this case, inspecting the following facts will help:

• Emergency Exits: Confirm that emergency exits are clearly marked and unobstructed.
• Evacuation Plans: Review and update evacuation plans and conduct regular drills.
• Emergency Contact Information: Display emergency contact information in specific areas.

5. Check the CCTV Cameras

Surveillance cameras play a crucial role in monitoring and deterring security threats. That’s why you have to check their activity and functions on a regular basis.

The following factors will help you manage this part:

• Camera Functionality: Confirm that all cameras are working, with no blind spots.
• Recording System: Ensure that the recording system is operational and storing footage securely.
• Time Synchronization: Verify that timestamps on footage are accurate.
• Access Control: Limit access to camera controls and footage to authorized personnel.
• Camera Placement: Reevaluate camera positions to cover high-risk areas adequately.

6. Test the Security Tools

Besides the security camera, there are many different types of security tools. Testing these security tools is also essential. It ensures they function well and provide effective protection for your commercial building.

Check the following things to ensure the activity of these tools:

• Security System Tests: Test intrusion detection systems, access control systems, and surveillance cameras.
• Security Personnel: Evaluate the readiness and responsiveness of on-site professional security personnel.
• Drills: You can conduct different security drills. These can be the lockdown or evacuation procedures, to assess preparedness.
• Communication Systems: Check all the communication tools like radios and alarms. Make sure that they are in working order.

7. Check the Emergency Power Sources

An organization should have reliable emergency power sources. While assessing the physical security assessment, you should check the source as well. It is essential to maintain security systems and other essential functions during power outages.

• Backup Generators: Service and test backup generators for functionality on a regular basis.
• Battery Backup: Check all the security systems thoroughly. Make sure that the alarms and cameras have adequate battery backup.
• Emergency Lighting: Test emergency lighting of both interior and exterior areas. Ensure it provides sufficient lighting during power failures.
• Fuel Supply: Ensure there is an adequate supply of fuel for generators.

8. Test the Fire Safety Equipment

Fire safety is an integral part of physical security. Regular checks of fire alarms and extinguishers are essential for sure. 

In this case, you should check the following factors:

• Fire Alarm Testing: Conduct regular fire alarm tests to ensure they activate correctly.
• Fire Extinguishers: Check the availability, accessibility, and condition of fire extinguishers. Make sure that significant areas of the building have fire extinguishers.
• Fire Safety Plans: Review and update fire safety plans, and conduct fire drills.
• Sprinkler Systems: Test the functionality of automatic sprinkler systems.

9. Check the Availability of Emergency Supply Kits

Next, you should check the emergency supply kits. It’s another must-have for managing various security and safety situations.

The following factors should be on the checklist too:

• First Aid Kits: Ensure first aid kits are fully stocked and regularly inspected.
• Emergency Response Kits: Confirm the availability of emergency response kits. Make sure to store specific kits for injuries, spills, or other incidents.
• Food and Water: Maintain a supply of non-perishable food and potable water for emergencies.
• Communication Equipment: Check the functionality of the extra communication device in the box. It should have two-way radios, mobile phones, and other communication devices in the kits.

10. Interview Employees About Security Matters

You should conduct interviews with the employees. Try to ensure that they are fully aware of the company’s security matters.

It will help identify potential threats and weaknesses in the security infrastructure. In this part, the following factors are essential:

• Security Awareness: Conduct interviews to gauge employees’ awareness of security policies. It will help them be sincere from their own place.
• Incident Reporting: Encourage employees to report any suspicious activities or security breaches.
• Training Needs: Identify security training needs and provide additional training as necessary.
• Feedback and Suggestions: Solicit feedback and suggestions from employees for improving security measures.

So, these are the must-have facts in your physical security checklist. These facts may not be all you need and if necessary, remove or add facts as your requirements.

However, do you find it difficult to ensure all these alone? You can hire a security consultant from a reliable company, like Sentry Security Service Ltd.

Importance of A Proper Physical Security Checklist

Most of the time, organization managers won’t value the task of a security service. They try to save money by not hiring a security consultant and making their own checklist.

The problem arises in these cases. Even though we have added a general physical security checklist, there can be many unnoticed vulnerable spots in your place. To ensure a proper physical security risk assessment, you have to cover those vulnerable areas as well.

However, here is a brief discussion on the importance of a proper checklist. It will definitely make you aware of why you shouldn’t take this fact lightly.

Risk Mitigation

A comprehensive checklist helps identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the building’s security infrastructure. By identifying these issues, you can significantly reduce the risk of security breaches, theft, or unauthorized access.

Emergency Preparedness

The checklist is essential to reduce the risk of emergencies like fires, natural disasters, or security threats. It ensures all necessary safety measures, like evacuation plans.

It also ensures that the emergency supplies are in place and up to date. This preparation can save lives and limit damage.

Asset Protection

Commercial buildings often house valuable assets, sensitive information, and equipment. A security checklist ensures that these assets are safeguarded properly. Thus, it helps reduce the risk of theft, damage, or loss.

Compliance Requirements

Many industries and regions have specific regulations and compliance requirements for physical security. A checklist helps you meet these legal obligations as well. So, you can avoid potential fines and legal liabilities.

Operational Continuity

Maintaining physical security systems and power sources ensures uninterrupted business operations. A checklist helps safeguard against downtime caused by security breaches. It also helps manage system failures or power outages.

Employee Safety

Employees should feel safe in their workplace. A well-executed security checklist can help in this case too. A proper Physical Security Checklist includes emergency plans and enhances employee safety. It makes employees feel safe.

Reputation and Trust

An organization’s reputation is closely tied to its commitment to security. Clients, customers, and partners trust businesses that prioritize security. A security checklist ensures that the organization upholds this trust.

Besides, visible security measures and regular inspections can warn potential intruders. So, the security of your company pretty much depends on how perfect the checklist is for the organization.

Wrapping Up | Physical Security Checklist

A physical security checklist ensures that the organization, both inside and outside is safe and secure. But it only works when the checklist is appropriate and contains everything perfectly.

That’s where the complexities hide. You can’t leave a single area where a potential physical risk can appear.However, if you are not sure whether you can do it all by yourself, Contact Sentry Security Service Ltd. This company offers skilled security consultants and officers who can free you from this heavy burden of security.

Frequently Asked Questions