Allan Schwartz, Safeguards International, Inc.

The wolf is at the door...and I don’t mean the bill collector!

Threat: The intent to inflict harm or loss on others.

The global terrorist threat rears its ugly head every day with bombings and attacks on civilian populations.

As U.S. and coalition forces increase the fight against Islamic terrorism, ISIS is now calling for the independent, unorganized “lone wolfs” to rise up in Western Europe and in the United States and commit their terrorist acts.

U.S. officials say that the extremist group could harm us. The law enforcement communities maintain that it’s not a matter of “if” but a matter of “when.”

The ISIS response to their apparent diminishing strength in the Mid-East is the encouragement of deadly attacks against our homeland with New York City being a prime target as evidenced by the recent bombing on Manhattan’s west side.

The New York real estate community, the building owners and managers, are doing a fairly successful job in providing security measures in and around their properties.

  I know, because as an independent, security consultant I have assisted numerous New York properties in securing their sites.

But too often, and regrettably, a degree of complacency tends to set in. 

Earlier this year I wrote an article in this journal titled, “It Can (’t) Happen Here!” Well, as we know, it happened here!

We must re-address our security in-place and re-assess its ability with regard to the detection and control of pedestrian traffic in and around buildings, lobby entrances, emergency stairwells, loading docks and storage facilities. 

An up-to-date assessment by an independent security consultant of your potential risks and vulnerabilities will go a long way to tighten your security and uncover overlooked weaknesses and perhaps deteriorating security systems.  A much needed “tune-up,” if you will, the latest risk and vulnerability assessments in accordance with DHS recommendations, may be in order now.

And, in addition to the “target hardening” of your buildings, we must consider improved hiring practices whether they apply to pre-employment screening of building staff or the vetting of outside contractors.  Who has access to your properties every day?  You must know! I can show you how advanced innovative screening practices can guarantee that you know exactly who you are considering dealing with.

I attended a meeting with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson recently who said, “If you see something, say something, is not enough.” He stressed that we should be more proactively prepared.

Tighten up on your security.  Have a long overdue “tune-up.”

An up-to-date vulnerability analysis and risk assessment  may be in order at this time.

Most building owners and managers have had emergency plans prepared. Some do not.

The crisis or emergency preparedness plan should address all of the familiar potential emergencies that can occur, but now we have to factor in the increasing potential man-made attempts on our people, property and assets.

A most important and critical aspect of any emergency plan is the periodic review and drilling on what to do on its recommendations.  For example, do your emergency plans include the latest recommendations in dealing with active shooters or mass evacuations? 

Once again, utilizing the services of an independent, outside security consultant to review emergency plans and conduct periodic drills on the plan’s chapter content will further assure a building’s readiness to efficiently respond to an emergency or crisis and ultimately save lives and protect property and assets.

As your security consultant we will analyze every aspect of your business to assure that your business systems and processes can continue to operate with minimum downtime, with a minimum loss of revenue and more importantly no loss of life. 

What the vulnerability analyses, risk assessments and updated plans provide are client confidence, optimal efficiency and productivity, and the virtually seamless continuation of business.

The approach to security, safety and protection has changed. Take appropriate and necessary action now.  And keep the “lone wolf” away from the door.

Allan Schwartz, CPP, CHS-IV is president and CEO of Safeguards International, Inc., Yonkers, N.Y.