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In times of crisis when new threats are having to be dealt with along with the old threats, there is a temptation to go for the "quick fix." Security vendors may try to seize on the environment of uncertainty and heightened anxiety in order to promote their products and services. In this environment, the clinical staff may begin to lobby for armed guards and metal detectors. It is important to remember that if a security methodology is put in place and later withdrawn, the hospital's exposure will be increased if a security incident occurs subsequent to the withdrawal.
If your hospital is considering beefing up security, a calm reasoned approach is best. For example, as a result of the terrorism attacks on our country, a hospital may suddenly decide to install an array of CCTV cameras. If this decision is made in the absence of a security audit and without regard as to how to implement the new camera system, the new system mat actually produce more harm than good.
The SMSI Security Solution Hierarchy represents a logical construct on which to build an effective security program. You will note that this program is built from the bottom up. Each successive layer is built upon and integrated with the previous layer. As you move up the pyramid, the solutions become more costly.
The key is to not allow a security crisis to drive you to make imprudent security decisions. The purpose of the Security Solution Hierarchy is to provide a model for sound decision making. How many times have we seen this model turned upside-down, and the first reaction is to hire security personnel. A few years back, after an Emergency Room shooting, a prominent hospital immediately retained enough contract security guards to man almost every door in the hospital, at considerable expense. Every hospital security program should have sufficient flex to readily adapt to changing environments.
When it come to purchasing physical security hardware, such as access management system and CCTV, the vendor has a knowledge advantage over his customer. Many vendors will extol the benefits of there product or service over a competing technology. They will sometimes imply that their product is a panacea for all vulnerabilities. A CCTV vendor may tell you that cameras will allow you to reduce FTE payroll burden. A guard company may say there is no substitute for human judgment.
Who should you believe? They are all right and they are all wrong. If you apply the Security Solution Hierarchy model to the decision making process, you will find that you must exhaust the possibilities of the lower levels before moving to a higher level. Clearly the use of security personnel is the most costly remedy. If you satisfy the lower levels of the hierarchy first, your decisions regarding security personnel will be more cost effective and the cost/benefit ratio derived from security personnel will be enhanced. Under the best scenario, the security officers should be the glue that ties the whole security program together.
Finally, the term Crisis Management, by definition is reactive. Why don't we hear about crisis prevention plans? Is it better to try to prevent infant abductions? Is it better to try to prevent bomb threats? Is it better to prevent biochemical attacks and threats?
We do not minimize the importance of crisis management and disaster management plans. We believe, as security professional that our role is to be pro-active, anticipatory, and preventative. Can we guarantee prevention? Of course not. We can, however, do things to reduce the probability of a crisis and/or minimize the impact of a security when it occurs. Before you can determine where you are going, you must first determine where you are now.
Because of the events of 9/11/01 law enforcement agencies are stretched this. Hospitals, as well as many businesses, will have to have the capacity to deal with security threats with or without sufficient police support. If there is a widespread disaster, local police agencies may not be able to provide rapid and adequate response. It is important to sit down with these agencies now. Hospitals should be prepared to developed layered contingency plans. Those plans should allow for full police support to very little police support.
The online SMSI Hospital Security Test (www.smsiinc.com) may help you evaluate the state of your security program today.
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