printer friendly version

Security is willpower

When posed, the question of what is important in regards to a successful security system, the first answer that might jump into our heads is the quality of the hardware components installed; such as the electric fence or the latest alarm panel equipped with a whole host of extra and attractive new features. To others who stay in a boomed community or those who pass them every morning in and out of the workplace, it may be the security officers stationed at these points, and to the average Joe up the street it could even be the family dog.

What is not realised in regards to successful physical security is that some of the highly determining factors in this case are intangible and part of the security mindset. One of these is willpower. This may not make sense at first glance, but consider the following: The average Joe, to whom you have already been introduced, is like us all. He has a busy schedule and in the little spare time he has, he enjoys uninterrupted sleep, Noot Vir Noot and his regular Thursday bowling night which allows him a beer or two with his mates. This does not leave much time to think about crime or consequently his security.

Besides, he bought all that equipment from the local security company a few years ago. The guy told him that’s what he needs. So that’s what Joe bought despite the disapproval of the bank manager and his wife. Her cousin had told her some time ago that their neighbours had the same system but were hit by a burglar, twice.

The walking dead

Now consider the criminal. The criminal is often underestimated. The ‘daywalkers’, as he and the rest of the gang thinks of the folks in the suburbs because it is like they are walking around in their sleep and don’t notice that much going on around them until it’s too late, think he is stupid and uneducated. This is not the case though. He matriculated, but realised that crime has become a very lucrative business nowadays. His girlfriend still expects fancy gifts from him all the time so the more money he can make quickly, the better. There are just too many opportunities out there.

Since joining the group and with all their preparations and observations, he has found he is making double, even triple he did on his own. This specific group spends hours and even days planning and discussing their attack, escape routes and even counteractions should their initial plan not run as smoothly as expected.

Their next marked target’s armed response takes 13 minutes to arrive once the alarm has been triggered and the vehicles are not on patrol in that specific area. They know this because they gave the hobo on that corner a cheap bottle of gin and he accepted the bribe to test this by triggering the alarm. The same hobo also told them that it is only the husband, wife and their two small children residing in the home and that Thursday nights the husband routinely comes home later than usual, and perhaps a bit tipsy. That is when they planned their next attack. If they get him in the driveway he will be forced to let them in upon ambush – just as if he were a human key.

Additionally, through his new smart device the criminal has been able to research the security system the family has in their home and he gathers as much information as possible to ensure that their next job will be as lucrative as the last. It’s not one of the newest systems in that street either. In this case the criminals’ willpower to gain entry into the property greatly exceeds that of the property owner’s willpower to keep them out. This is where the element of willpower truly comes to the fore.

Mindset and awareness

It must be realised that security is not a once-off solution. Systems get outdated as improved technologies are released into the market, which results in the criminals looking for new means in which to bypass the system successfully. It is therefore vital to stay one step ahead of the criminal element. Knowledge is power and this can all be explained and attained through an independent security risk assessment.

Another intangible factor that adds to the mindset of security is control. Control, as willpower, are both key to the success of security. Add to the mix the concept of security awareness, another immaterial element of the functional physical security system and you have the winning recipe to proactive crime prevention. The independent risk consultant will identify all vulnerabilities in your security system, from the physical hardware currently in use to these elements of the mind as discussed. He will point out where the risk lies in regards to opportunity made available to the criminal.

Share this article:

Further reading: