Make sure your entrance security is up to the mark

Whether it’s one person or several hundred people working in a building, all organisations are vulnerable to items being stolen or staff being attacked by intruders who could gain unauthorised access to their premises. One of the most vulnerable times of day, according to police in a recent press article, is early evening when there are fewer people around.

There is an added concern that when people are working alone it makes them more vulnerable if intruders gain unauthorised access to buildings. The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) definition of a lone worker is someone who “work[s] by themselves without close or direct supervision”. This is a broad definition and can include any employee who spends time in an office on their own – either regularly or infrequently. It also includes those who stay after hours in the office.

Irrespective of how many people are working in a building, intruders will gain access if there is a weak point in the buildings physical security. Methods of entry used by intruders are: targeting insecure or weak entry points; forcing open magnetic lock doors; tailgating (when criminals follow staff into secure areas); or a combination of all three.

It’s worth bearing in mind that if an employee suffers harm at work as a consequence of doing their job, including being attacked by an intruder, you could end up being liable. If it can then be proven that steps were not taken to protect staff, you may be in breach of Health and Safety legislation and liable to a HSE investigation.

With staff safety paramount and the possible costs and / or reputational damage it is always better to prevent an incident occurring in the first place. One of the most cost effective ways of doing this is to specify a Security Portal at the entry point that incorporates anti-tailgating and meets Secured by Design requirements or, where forced attack is a possibility, achieves LPS 1175 approval.

Security Portals – first line of defence

As a consequence, an increasing number of organisations are now taking steps to protect their workers and visitors, and one of the most effective ways of doing this is to focus on the point of entry into a building or site. This is the most common point for unauthorised access, it can be an easy method for any individual without the required security passes and with wilful intent to gain entry by tailgating – where a person simply follows the person in front to gain unauthorised access

Security Portals are a good choice because they create an enclosed, physical barrier at the point of entry, which means intruders are unable to even attempt to tailgate an authorised person. Security Portals are also an effective method because they provide authenticated single-person entry, whilst preventing a person tailgating their way into the building.

When absolute security is required our C3 and C190 Cylindrical Portals are the first and only portals in the UK to achieve LPS 1175 Security Ratings S1, S2 and S3. LPS 1175 means they provide resistance to determined attempts of forced entry using a range of techniques including those that involve creation of noise. We also offer bullet resistant glazing, where extreme levels of force may be used.

Our C3 S1-S3, C190 S1-S3, E1G and FPJ140 2SX Security Portals have also just been accredited by Secured by Design (SBD). This is the national police initiative to help design out crime through the use of high-quality, innovative products and processes. In order to achieve Secured by Design status, the C3 S1-S3, C190 S1-S3, E1G and FPJ140 2SX Security Portals had to adhere to rigorous test standards required by the police.

Weighing up the costs

The consequences of not taking action if an incident was to take place can send shock waves through an organisation and its workforce, aside from the reputational damage it could cause along with reputational damage. Conversely, taking steps to address the issue by specifying an LPS 1175 or Secured by Design Security Portal that is more than capable of preventing unauthorised entry can create a sense of enhanced safety, security and wellbeing with staff.

To find out more about our full range of Security Portals, visit: https://bit.ly/2IqkFJc