What is Security today?

The English Oxford Dictionary describes security as [mass noun] the state of being free from danger or threat.

In principle, we would agree, on this description.
However with the evolution of security, it has progressed way beyond a state of being free from danger or threat. The provision and design of security has become an art in which billions of Rand are spent on research, development and integration, in order to provide the next best solution. Thereby driving the end users advantage over the elements mentioned above, danger and threats. With the drive to provide better technology on an ongoing basis, numerous spin offs have developed into their own accompanying industries. We need only look at Data Mining, Retail Analytics, Video Intelligence and Guard monitoring to name a few.

The issue, as a whole is that the security industry, specifically in South Africa, has developed and grown around guarding and surveillance industries as stand-alone solutions. Poor quality products and badly trained staff are driven further by the end user’s decision being made on cost, as opposed to the right products deployed in the correct way for maximu security.

Yes, security in general is viewed as a grudge purchase, but it is a necessary cost of doing business in South Africa. Expenditure is essentially based on the customer’s appetite for Risk versus Exposure.

The industry itself has become its own worst enemy with a silo based approach to each of these disciplines, which is compounded by only a few companies driving a totally integrated approach. Meanwhile the end users themselves look at compartmentalised solutions but these have only evolved on technology platforms.

The latest trend in security is integration and cross device communication with the Open Network Video Interface Forum (ONVIF) standard as a norm. An ONVIF specification will ensure interoperability between products regardless of manufacturer.

We believe the next step forward is not necessarily technology based, which faces restrictions in processing power and file sizes, but rather an Integrated Total Security Management (ITSM) architecture. ITSM architecture is developing risk management frameworks from the ground up, aligning each and every policy, process, and procedure with the accompanying technology to ensure delivery. On an individual customer basis this means developing and implementing a comprehensive risk management and security practice, across the entire value chain of the business with technology.

This philosophy adds value to companies by managing security and threat management requirements as core business functions rather than as reactionary expenditures. An ITSM implementation involves a thorough evaluation of key internal and external stakeholders, distribution channels, policies and procedures in terms of a firm’s level of preparedness for a variety of events relating to risk.

The overall solution includes:

1. Architecture or refinement of Risk Management Strategies, Policies, Processes and Procedures
2. Development of a risk Dashboard
3. Selection of the right technologies to drive delivery and compliance
4. Alignment of technology architecture
5. Implementation
6. Continuous Refinement

Through this engagement customers may be able to realize cost savings, improve business processes, reduce theft, enhance asset management, increase brand equity goodwill, improve preparedness and drive down the risk expenditure.

This philosophy is currently being implemented and investigated by companies such as:

• Melrose Arch
• Massmart
• Edcon
• Adcock Ingram

For more information on how ITSM can improve your Risk versus Exposure contact:

UTM Group (Pty) Ltd

0860 626222
Contact Kelly McLintock