As a security professional who teaches classes on security engineering to architects, engineers, planners and security folks, I’ve noticed that although they are all attentive classmates and know “their stuff,” after each classroom “discussion” they come away with a bewildered look.  Everyone thinks everyone else is crazy and can’t understand why they see things so differently.  Unfortunately, there is validity to this thought.

You see, architects and engineers, as well as planners, are problem solvers.  Security people are, too, but in a different way.  Because most security folks get involved in the design process way too late, if at all.  To prove my point, I got this email recently from a friend who has a cousin who’s an architect, “Unfortunately, I don’t think I can be of much assistance.  In my experience, which might be atypical, security consultants have always been retained directly by the client with little or no input from architects.” 

Unfortunately, it drives home the point.  We’re treating the design process as if we were stacking blocks on top of each other.  The reality is the process is horizontal across many specialties. But in today’s design process, all stakeholders focus on resolving issues in their own wheelhouse with limited regard for other specialties.  That doesn’t mean architects, engineers; planners won’t solve issues if brought to their attention.  They would – that’s what they do.   If you tell them, this alcove provides a bad guy a place to hide or that bush placement means now I have to put a camera to watch behind it, they’ll change the design.  

The idea that architects – architect, engineers – engineer, planners – plan and security – secure and that’s it has to change.  I’m a firm believer that we’re all in the swimming pool together and there’s plenty of room for all of us to swim and splash each other.  So why are we still playing Marco Polo?

In order to undo this verticality a new way of thinking is necessary.  Not only should buildings and other inhabited spaces be developed with future use functionality in mind but the space needs to address a variety of criminal and terrorist threats from the onset.  We address threats from fire and earthquakes by adhering to codes.  We do the same with occupancy loads but not with security.  That confuses me, since many criminal activities can result in serious injury or death.

The current process goes something like this, the building or space gets designed and then handed over to a security firm that acts crazy because there’s a recessed doorway or building corner that provides a hiding place.  This causes a lighting and camera to watch the space requirement.  If security had been involved at the beginning of the project the recessed doorway would have been redesigned to not allow the possibility for a bad guy to hide in the first place.  This in turn would drive down short cost of redesign, change orders and equipment purchase.  The current exclusionary process results in project cost increases of 25-30% just in the short term.  When security is included from the beginning, the long term costs savings are more substantial because fewer guards are needed to monitor the array of cameras, less equipment breakage, maintenance, etc.  

The great migration from the countryside to urban centers with increasing numbers of people will require all stakeholders to address functionality in the public and private space on a multitude of levels.  There is no more industry autonomy.   

An event no longer has a solitary impact on a single industry.  The hurricane in Puerto Rico is a perfect example of how our complex society works – or doesn’t.  When the electric grid was reduced to a non-functioning system, people couldn’t get money from ATMs to buy gas to put in their cars to drive to buy groceries.  And even if they did have cash, grocery stores couldn’t refrigerate their products nor could the people refrigerate the products once they got them home, and…well, you get the idea.  

So, please – reach out to a security firm qualified in physical security design and mitigation strategy development.  Make them an integral part of your planning team.  The dividends will pay off and you’ll find that security folks aren’t so crazy after all.

Doug Haines, MPSE, is owner/CEO of Haines Security Solutions, Ventura, Calif.