How physical security systems support continuous improvement

Rapidly evolving technology and shifting risk factors are shaping today’s security landscape. To stay ahead of unpredictable safety challenges, business owners are adopting physical security systems with continuous improvement capabilities.

In this blog, we’ll examine the continuous improvement of a physical security system, its influence on a company’s security posture, and the advantages of an ongoing program versus a one-time installation. 

What does continuous improvement mean for physical security systems?

Continuous improvement in commercial physical security involves continuously refining and optimizing a system’s overall performance. It is an ongoing, proactive process of evaluation and problem-solving that helps companies maintain a reliable, resilient security operation while preventing major system overhauls.  

Here are some components of a continuous improvement approach: 

Regular risk assessments

This involves conducting regular reviews of specific systems (access control, alarms, surveillance cameras) to ensure they are working properly, while examining incident reports and surveillance footage to identify possible security gaps or response issues.  

Data-driven insights 

Identifying inefficiencies and improving protocols with security tools that collect, assess, and evaluate vital security data. 

Advanced security technology

A forward-looking approach to innovative technology helps improve existing systems and ensure optimal performance throughout the entire security operation.

Routine maintenance, testing, and system updates

Regularly updating, testing, and maintaining the software and hardware of these systems is crucial for the ongoing improvement of physical security systems. 

Employee training and feedback

A strong, up-to-date security environment provides staff with regular training to review existing protocols, introduce new system features, and collect feedback on what’s effective and what can be improved. 

How can upgrades and evolving threats impact your business’s security posture?

Installing a system and then neglecting it will inevitably lead to technical problems and inefficiencies, which, over time, will weaken the system’s performance. Security threats are constantly evolving to exploit vulnerabilities, and any decline in a company’s security measures can lead to serious consequences.  

What is the connection between upgrades and evolving threats?

Upgrades provide a high level of protection, enabling smooth integration of new features and updates, and helping systems adapt quickly to emerging challenges. This is essential for reducing exposure to new criminal tactics and increased risks, such as hacking smart locks, cameras, and storage devices. 

Maintaining a proactive security posture with regular upgrades is more effective at preventing and adapting to evolving threats. 

How do maintenance, audits, and performance reviews help keep your security system effective?

Continuous improvement demands a thorough process for system maintenance and evaluation across multiple key areas. 

Maintenance

Regular maintenance helps safeguard a security system’s physical integrity and extends its effective operation. A maintenance routine can detect issues early, enabling businesses to prevent unexpected equipment failures and service interruptions. 

It’s essential to upkeep these systems regularly:

• Hardware: Check equipment for damage and physical wear that may indicate the need for repairs or replacement. This includes (but is not limited to) surveillance cameras, alarm system control panels, and motion sensors. 
• Software: Keeping software updated is a good start, but running diagnostics and scanning for digital threats are also crucial for proactive security. 
• Power: Assessing and maintaining a system’s power infrastructure through regular testing, replacing outdated batteries, inspecting wiring and cable connections, and verifying that backup power sources are operational. 

Audits

Audits verify if a security system functions as intended by detecting vulnerabilities, inefficiencies, and outdated procedures. 

Audits help strengthen a system in multiple areas:

• Ensuring compliance: Audits confirm that a system adheres to various industry standards, federal regulations, and local laws and legal codes. 
• Identifying gaps: Audits can reveal weaknesses in the security operation that might put a company at risk.
• Measuring effectiveness: Audits can uncover misconfigurations, flaws, or outdated components and controls within the system. These problems can lead to less effective and unsafe operations of physical security systems. 

Performance

Performance reviews help align staff with the organization’s security strategy, including roles, goals, and protocols. They also provide insight into how well a system is actually functioning. 

Here are key performance reviews that can be used to improve employee privacy and safety:

• Incident response: Evaluating staff performance during a simulated incident and pinpointing areas for improvement in response time, documentation, and communication.  
• Security staff assessment: Reviewing the effectiveness of security personnel to ensure they follow procedures and meet performance standards.
• System check: Allowing staff to give feedback, ask questions, share frustrations, and suggest improvements to security operations. 

How can choosing a service provider instead of a DIY install improve outcomes?

It’s common for business owners to consider DIY options when looking to safeguard their staff and property with business security systems. However, any savings from choosing a DIY option come with increased security risks and make ongoing improvements more difficult. 

Here’s how a service provider can enhance security system results:

• Installation quality: A well-executed installation ensures the system’s components work together smoothly and perform as expected. A poorly installed system may not function properly and could eventually require expensive repairs.
• Equipment Warranties and Service Guarantees: A professional security partnership provides protection against equipment failure and guarantees support throughout each phase of the system’s lifespan.
• Technical expertise: Security technicians possess the knowledge and experience necessary to identify, assess, and resolve unexpected issues that can be challenging to handle independently.
• System maintenance: A security provider can accurately assess the status of physical security components and software, and perform necessary system updates and equipment upgrades before they impact safety. 
• Training and support for staff: Security providers can help train staff on how to effectively use a system and serve as a resource when issues occur. 

What is the business case for an ongoing security program rather than a one‑time installation?

If a farmer plants a field with corn but doesn’t water it, remove pests, or take care of the soil, they can’t expect to get the best results. A security system works the same way. 

It’s not a perfect analogy, but like a crop that requires care, a security system needs regular attention to function properly. The safety level from a one-time setup will inevitably decline as issues go unresolved and equipment wears out.   

​​Over time, a continuous improvement strategy saves money by making ongoing, small adjustments that target persistent major issues, including:

• Evolving threats
• Compliance and regulatory requirements
• Incident detection, protection, and response
• ROI

Is your business looking for security support? Curious how continuous improvement can enhance your physical security systems? Contact Bay Alarm today.