Risk Assessment: How to Judge Your Security Risk

In the private security world risk assessments serve a dual purpose. They give us a working idea of the type of incidents a client will face, and they also give us time to get prepared.  When we partner with a new client, we carry out a thorough risk assessment on each of their sites before delivering a security report with our findings. We consider this the minimum required to ensure the safety of each person on-site.

What is Risk Assessment?

In the simplest terms, Risk Assessment = Likelihood x Severity

A security site assessment, or physical risk assessment is an evaluation conducted by a security professional that includes an inventory of the assets to be protected, alongside actionable recommendations on how best to protect them. At Blackbird Security, we’ve conducted risk assessments for companies as diverse as corporate headquarters, retail stores, and public sector buildings.

It allows us to make an informed recommendation on the level of coverage a particular site merits. For example, when onboarding a concierge security client, we’ll undertake a detailed analysis of the entire building, encompassing entry points, parking lots, common areas, potential weaknesses, etc. Once this is complete, we can provide the client with a tailored security coverage plan that respects their budget and maximizes their protection.

The Benefits of Conducting a Risk Assessment

When you undergo a security risk assessment on your property or business, you quickly identify potential security problems and their respective solutions. Some of the main items we look for when carrying out an assessment include:

• Threats: what are the greatest threats facing the people and the property
• Oversights: what are some of the gaps or areas you’ve overlooked
• Low Hanging Fruit: what are some priority items you should tackle immediately

Whether you’re a property manager or a business owner, understanding these threats allows you to prioritize where to allocate your budget, and ensure you’re maximizing your security spend for efficiency.

Risk Assessments and Your Legal Obligations

In recent years, foreseeability of security threats has come to the fore when it comes to liability. If an incident occurs on your property, you may be asked to account for the following:

• Would it be reasonable to foresee this event may occur?
• What steps did you take to mitigate the threat?

Conducting a risk assessment allows you to satisfy both of these criteria and conduct your day-to-day business safe in the knowledge you’re prepared.

Choosing the Right Company for Your Risk Assessment

At Blackbird Security, we’ve partnered with countless companies and properties across Canada to conduct thorough risk assessments. Our leadership team possess a lifetime of multi-faceted experience in the security industry, ensuring they’re well placed to identify potential threats. They leverage this expertise, alongside crime data at the neighbourhood level, to deliver a risk assessment report.

Blackbird Security is the security partner of choice for business throughout Canada in cities such as Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Victoria, Duncan, Regina and Winnipeg. If you’re interested in upgrading your security services or carrying out a risk assessment, we’d love to hear from you. We offer the following range of services to clients across Western Canada:

• Concierge Security
• Elite Suit and Tie Security
• Event Security
• Executive Protection
• Loss Prevention
• Patrol Security
• Uniformed Security Guards
• Cyber Security
• Private Investigation
• Mobile Patrol Security
• Shopping Mall/Retail Security
• Government Security

Contact Us and let’s discuss your unique needs.