IAN JOHNSON ASSOCIATES

Core activities include assessing risks, designing security systems, developing and implementing strategies and undertaking reviews. The company combines the ability to identify the key issues and formulate strategies in the most complex and dynamic environments, with the know-how to provide practical support at the coalface. This can include advice and assistance in selecting the most appropriate security systems, undertaking a tendering process and getting the best from your manned security service.

Our starting point is that security and risk are an integral part of business and operating strategy.

Security policies and procedures have to be taken seriously by the whole organisation, from chief executive, to line manager to every employee – otherwise they will only ever be partially successful.

In developing security solutions, we are fully aware that ‘the people factor’ has to be taken into account. A particular approach may offer high-level protection, but if staff do not value it, or see it as impractical, problems are likely to ensue.

Employees must be kept fully informed of what is planned, and why this is essential in protecting them, their property and the organisation for which they work. They also need to be aware of their responsibility in ensuring that security plans succeed. This means education and training, and this must be on-going, not just as part of their induction process.

Of course, we also know that nothing stands still, and even where security procedures are sound, weak links may start to emerge. We believe firmly that checks and balances should be in place to get things back on track before serious problems can emerge. For that reason, an important part of our work has involved testing the system, to see if equipment and people are still operating as they should.