Conduct a Comprehensive Security Assessment
As security consultants, part of our mission is to reasonably reduce the probability of exposure to the premise’s liability claim of inadequate security. When it comes to security-based lawsuits, proactive security is simply good business. Most security lawsuits result from claims of deficient protection occurring most often when a guest or visitor alleges, they’ve been victimized by the criminal acts of a third party on secured property.
The security of an environment differs from one industry to another. For this reason, there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to security design. A variety of situational factors help determine what specifications need to be prioritized to ensure effective security in order to mitigate against claims of inadequate security. One of the most important first steps is to conduct a comprehensive security review to establish a foundation for design and implementation of an effective security plan.
A security assessment should not be the only indicator to reduce liability. Issues that may come into play include visitor management and access control, lighting, video surveillance and the sufficiency of employee background checks. All of these factors should be evaluated for effectiveness given the ambient crime environment. Additionally, the most effective security programs engage the organization’s employees to become part of the solution.
Security: An Anticipatory Discipline
The security lawsuit process is often equal to the security assessment, after-the-fact. Universal precautions are not applicable to judging the effectiveness or adequacy of a security program under legal challenge, and some security cases may allege intentional violations such as excessive use of force. Security is an anticipatory discipline, and therefore consideration of the risks must be made before-the-fact.
Today’s security systems and programs are much more efficient than they were just 15 years ago. In the last few years, there have been tremendous advancements in visitor and access management, smart video surveillance and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). There is much more partnering between local police jurisdictions and private security operations.
Once an effective security program is established, the goal is to keep that security program up-to-date. The best hedge against outdated security is data, both external and internal. The local crime environment is well defined by the CAP Index, as well as crime data from local law enforcement jurisdictions. Internal data is also important. Security technology that offers the ability to retrieve data for statistical analysis is critical to maintaining safety.
Mitigate Risks and Reduce Security Liability
Mitigating premises liability litigation begins with a comprehensive security assessment to ensure your company maintains an effective and proactive security program with many measurable benefits. Veristream offers security assessment options as well as various security products and services, such as visitor management and access control, to enhance your company’s security standards. Contact us today at 1-888-718-0807 for more information on security assessments and liability lawsuits, or schedule a demo today to learn more about the functionality of our software.
