Managing the Risks
Management already has a number of responsibilities to identify, assess and reduce risks within regulations such as the Health and Safety Regulations and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. With regard to protective security, the best way to manage the hazards and risks to your assets (people, physical assets, information and processes) is to start by understanding and identifying the threats and vulnerabilities.
This will help you to decide:
- what security improvements you need to make
- what type of security and contingency plans you need to develop
For most companies simple good practice – coupled with vigilance and well exercised contingency arrangements – may be all that is needed. If, however, you assess that you are vulnerable to attack, you should apply appropriate protective security measures to reduce the risk to as low as is reasonably practicable.
NaCTSO has produced a suite of booklets designed to meet the security and resilience needs of business. The information contained in these booklets is primarily for small and medium-sized businesses. However, they are also relevant to businesses of all sizes. You can read all the booklets in order to cover all the important areas in a systematic way, or you can go to specific booklets if you need information on a particular topic. All of the booklets include clear diagrams, easy-to-follow step-by-step help, links to useful websites and checklists. All of these will aid you in identifying and addressing your security and resilience needs.
Security – ‘Secure in the Knowledge’
Thinking about security is good for your business. You have invested heavily in your business and you need to ensure it remains safe, secure and viable. The DVD film and accompanying booklet, (Secure in the Knowledge (2.6MB PDF)), provide guidance and information to help you improve your basic security and thereby protect your livelihood. Being better informed and better prepared also reassures your customers and suppliers that you take security seriously: it is good for you, your staff, your business and your reputation. View Secure in the Knowledge film in small screen mode below or you can see it in full screen mode.
Resilience – ‘Expecting the Unexpected’
Business resilience is a vital part of your business. Making it part of the way that you run your business, rather than having to ‘firefight’ an emergency, helps prepare you to offer ‘business as usual’ in the quickest possible time. Planned business continuity management, so that your staff, customers and suppliers are reassured that you have an effective policy and practice for managing the unexpected, helps build confidence in your business. Our booklet, (Expect the Unexpected (522KB PDF)), will guide you in developing business continuity, helping you and your business to build resilience against any disaster.
'Counting The Cost'
Counting the Cost provides guidance and information that will help you, as a business, to protect yourself. It will enable you to:
- risk-assess the security and resilience needs of your business
- recognise threats and hazards
- understand better the role of insurance
This guide, (Counting The Cost (221KB PDF)), also includes clear diagrams, easy-to-follow step-by-step help and links to useful websites and checklists. All of these will aid you in identifying your security and resilience needs.
The information is primarily for small and medium-sized businesses. However, it is also relevant to businesses of all sizes. You can read the entire booklet in order to cover all the important areas in a systematic way, or you can go to specific sections if you need information on a particular topic.