10 Steps to Creating A Campus Security Master Plan

From updating their SOC to incorporating construction plans, here are the security measures campuses should consider to improve their safety and security.

10 Steps to Creating A Campus Security Master Plan

Step 1: Assemble Your Committee
Physical security design encompasses many different elements and processes that affect the entire campus. It is important to obtain support from those who will benefit and/or be affected by the introduction of new processes, change or modification to existing procedures, and the modification of exterior and/or interior structures.

The most effective way to build momentum in the development of a physical security program is to create a physical security committee. The team will consist of members in strategic positions of influence, such as administration, IT, operations, safety, security, risk and planning. Setting limits on the number of committee members is equally important. No more than eight members should be assembled for this program.

Step 2: Determine What Must be Protected
Committee members must classify what is critical or core to the operation of the campus. In other words, what must be protected? What keeps you up at night?

The objective of asking these questions is to understand what concerns, risks or fears may exist on campus and why. The responses are often constructive and enlightening. Safety of associates working late at night, violence in the emergency department, safety of patients, destruction of the power plant, guns on campus, shootings and workplace violence are just some of the issues that might come to mind during this process.

Step 3: Think About Your Long-term Needs
The security master plan’s development should also include long-term system compatibility, communication infrastructure, product obsolescence and growing demands on the security staff. It should be noted that although security technology is important to the enhanced reactive response of issues and concerns on campus, it does not replace or exclude community and outside agency involvement in the planning process.

Step 4: Find Out What Works, What Doesn’t
Next, the committee should survey current operational risk mitigation measures and determine their effectiveness. Conducting interviews and monitoring daily routines of associates, students, visitors, contractors, delivery services and the like is a critical segment of the overall design of a campus security master plan.

Interviews with staff and students are extremely valuable in gauging the overall temperament of the campus security program. These interviews provide valuable insight into the effectiveness of current physical security measures in place, and how they align with the perceived level of vulnerability.

Outside resources such as CAP Index Inc. provide crime forecasting models, as well as loss mitigation solutions designed to accurately identify the risk of personal and property crimes. Mapping specific locations in and around the campus can assist in the development of how research should be conducted.

Step 5: Incorporate Campus Construction Plans
The expansion and development of new buildings can create a challenge if not planned correctly. Understanding the campus’ 10-year plan on construction is critical in the overall security master plan. As a security director or campus security administrator, it is important to understand how new buildings, parking lots, garages, walkways and other projects will affect the current physical security master plan. The same applies to increases in student, patient, visitor and vehicle traffic.

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