First in a series based on the IMEG executive guide, “Holistic Security Design: Mitigate vulnerability, reduce risk, and keep people safe.” 

By Ryan Searles 

A building’s security should not be an afterthought but a well-planned part of its design. The key to effective security is understanding the difference between safety and security.   Safety is the perception of how safe a person feels in their environment, while security refers to the various layers of tactical implementation used to achieve the desired level of safety.   An owner shouldn’t have to choose one or the other—an effective security design can accomplish both.

In today’s world, the safety of people and assets is a top priority for many organizations. The types of threats faced by building owners have remained the same over the last several decades—natural disasters, active shooters, civil unrest, etc.—but the frequency of these events is increasing and moving into more public spaces. As those who perpetrate threats adapt their strategies to evade standard security measures, tactics for preventing, responding to, and recovering from these threats should also evolve.  

Step one to getting the most out of your security design is consulting with a security expert from the very beginning of the design process to create a master plan that can be fulfilled on the desired timeline. Architects and security consultants can work together to conceptualize and implement the owner’s intent for their building or campus, with the understanding that an organization’s overall culture, whether proactive or passive in their approach to security, will affect the final design of their facility.  

While many security strategies can apply to a variety of building and market types, each client will need customized solutions that best protect their property and people. Clients at some facilities, such as government buildings and detention centers, prefer a hardened and institutionalized approach to security, while others, like education and healthcare owners, want a more inviting environment. A facility’s location (rural or urban), the community’s crime rate, and the owner’s corporate culture will also dictate the design direction and necessities. Your security consultant should work closely with the design team to address all potential threats to people and assets to create a cohesive design that provides a high level of security without detracting from the architect’s aesthetic and overall goals for the building. 

Discussing security considerations from the beginning of design also provides savings for clients by avoiding costly change orders to add security measures later in design or construction that also may or may not be effective. For example, security cameras often are tacked on at the end of a design in ways that don’t significantly contribute to the building’s safety. 

Early design planning and tailored security solutions ensure the organization’s culture and the architect’s vision can be blended with the security technology to create a design that is not only effective but also maintains the desired aesthetic and provides cost and time savings for the client.  

For more information, download a copy of the IMEG executive guide, “Holistic Security Design: Mitigate vulnerability, reduce risk, and keep people safe.”