Facilities managers across the country have no doubt spent at least one
sleepless night worrying about the security of the workplace after the tragic
events of September 11.
Facilities managers responsible for security at one of Britain's growing number
of airports probably don't get any sleep at all.
However, help is at hand. On 12 - 13 December the British Security Industry
Association (BSIA), in partnership with Trade Partners UK, is hosting the
Airport Security Conference at the Hilton Hotel, Heathrow. (Tickets are £300.
Call Tracy Johnson at the BSIA on 01905 727711.)
Security in the workplace is often swept under the carpet. Board members
sometimes view it as an unnecessary expense. The tragic events of September 11
are just one example of what can happen and the quicker board members,
facilities managers, or those with responsibility for security in the workplace
face up to this, the better for all concerned.
The European Council has just ratified plans to step up aviation security in the
EU, with proposed tightening of regulations for the control of access to
sensitive areas, stricter monitoring of passengers, luggage, cargo and airmail.
Training of security staff in airports has also been targeted.
Don't leave that all important security review until it is too late. Okay, so
you might not be managing a building the size of an airport, but that is no
excuse for lax standards.
Facilities managers who do want to learn more about how to combat the threat of
terrorism in the workplace can phone for a free booklet produced by the Home
Office. (Call the Business Crime Centre on 01635 295163).
A recent study shows that not all attacks are, 'physical.' Enquiries from
businesses that fear the possibility of a cyber attack on their computer network
after September 11 are rising. Is the £25 million of investment the government
has given the national police computer forensic team really enough to make a
difference? Experts say this is only enough to cope with one or two major cyber
attacks a year.
I'm sure every facilities manager would love to spruce up security at the
workplace, but most are finding that it is not that easy. The key word here is
'budgets.' Unless the board allocates more money for a better service,
facilities managers are just going to have to find other ways of improving
standards. Not an easy task.
However, facilities managers in the UK can at least take heart from the fact
that standards of security in the UK are amongst the highest in the world, so
much so that around £500 million worth of UK security services and products find
their way overseas each year.
On a lighter note, readers may be interested to know that we had an excellent
time at FM Expo 2001, held at the ExCel in London's Docklands, during October.
Judging by the amount of magazines that were flying off our stand (a whopping
1800 copies) you like what you are reading.