Without analysis and measurement, performance is unlikely to improve. When it comes to protecting a corporate workplace from physical threats, a security audit is an absolute must to ensure that the right steps are being taken to mitigate any potential concerns.

corporate security audit will do more than merely identify potential problems – it will also help security professionals better determine which actions need to be taken to ensure that a particular threat doesn’t get out of hand. When done right, a physical security audit can ultimately prevent many of the greatest threats that a company might face.

Conducting the Audit

While corporations can conduct their own internal security audit, it is often recommended that you hire an outside party that specializes in this type of work. A trained security auditor has the experience and expertise necessary to identify potential issues that you might overlook on your own. Most importantly, they have the training necessary to work with your company to identify meaningful solutions.

Unsurprisingly, a corporate security audit will include a thorough examination of your facilities, both inside and out. This would likely include inspecting any external security features, such as fencing and cameras, as well as identifying any environmental threats. This could include being in a bad neighborhood or even having an unstable tree that is planted too close to your building. Interior security measures (such as access locks and whether or not you have a security guard presence) will also be evaluated.

In addition to these physical evaluations, a quality security audit will also focus on your employees. Do they feel safe at work? Are there any security issues they’ve noticed or experienced? Do they know how to respond in an emergency situation? Is there currently someone in the building who is in charge of physical security? Understanding employees’ perceptions and attitudes toward their safety can reveal issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Once information has been collected, a report won’t just state what the potential threats might be — it will also assess the likelihood of a particular incident taking place, as well as the impact such events might have on a business’s overall well-being.

Planning for the Future

How to Effectively Conduct a Security Audit in a Corporate Environment?
A security audit doesn’t end after problems have been identified

Of course, a security audit doesn’t end after problems have been identified. The more important phase of the work comes in making recommendations and an action plan to directly address any issues that came up during that initial inspection.

Recommendations will generally be prioritized by the auditor based on urgency and importance. This way, a company will be able to take care of its biggest physical security threats first before moving on to less urgent items. These recommendations will ultimately cover every major issue that came up during the security audit, and could involve anything from providing emergency evacuation training to employees to hiring nighttime security guards.

Once recommendations have been received, it is up to management to formulate an action plan that will allow them to address the issues. These plans should be as specific as possible and be given the budget necessary to ensure they are followed through. For best results, setting a target date for the completion of each action item will further emphasize their importance and ensure that needed changes aren’t neglected.

Conclusion

Though cybersecurity may get most of the attention these days, the physical security of your corporate offices cannot be ignored. By conducting an in-depth security audit, you will have a better understanding of what needs to be done to ensure the safety of your employees and equipment. Most importantly, you’ll have the knowledge and resources necessary to make needed changes. By using these examinations as a springboard for future action, you’ll have greater peace of mind knowing that your company’s future is safe.