How much does an onsite physical security assessment cost?

Costs for a formal security assessment usually range between $5,000 and $50,000 depending on the size of the facility, number of employees, and complexity of operations.

What is a Security Site Assessment?

A security site assessment (or physical security risk assessment) is a comprehensive evaluation conducted by a security professional. It includes an inventory of the assets to be protected and recommendations on how best to protect them. A strong physical security risk assessment will consider how to protect from external threats, natural disasters, and internal damage, as well as tell you how to become resilient and save money.

Who needs a Physical Security Risk Assessment?

This is a simple answer: any building, of any size, that is open to the public and houses employees or students, customers and clients.

These risk assessments are appropriate for nearly any organization—from schools to corporate headquarters, to sporting arenas, convenience stores, temporary events, retail outlets, utilities, manufacturing plants, and municipalities.

In fact, targeted violence is on the rise and any organization can be at risk. Interpersonal and domestic conflict is human nature, and those issues can spill over to the workplace. In addition, neighborhoods can change, or an organization may move locations.

What are the benefits of a Physical Security Assessment?

• Once your physical security has been breached, you can only react and clean up the damage. This is where resiliency comes in. There is no question, at some point your business, school or organization will get hit in some form. It is how you bounce back - how you are resilient, that makes all the difference, in several ways. Being proactive about physical security will save you time, money and stress.

• Criminals can now use more advanced technology to break in to your facility. On the other hand, if you stay on top of technologically advanced solutions, it can deter bad actors from even making an attempt to breach your facility.

• Regulatory compliance and even insurance companies in many industries requires conducting routine physical security assessments. Failing to do so could be a costly mistake.

• There may be insurance benefits to proactively managing your risk. Ask your insurance company if they incentivize risk management through physical security assessments.

• Building owners may be exposed to civil liability if an employee is hurt or killed. By hiring a legitimate, experienced security consultant, you can provide proof that you did your due diligence to protect the people on site. In the case of litigation, this is extremely important. Foreseeability is now part of corporate or school security and liability.

You’ll need to be prepared to answer those questions if there’s an incident at your facility. The plaintiff’s lawyer has the right to call in your security consultant and ask him or her to provide proof of a security assessment and your response to their recommendations. They’ll even dig into the background of your consultant to see if they’re a qualified expert in their field.