Process Management Principles For Enhancing Physical Security

Thursday, 29 May 2025, 7:10 am
Article: Hugh Grant

No matter the size or scope of an organisation, most leaders consider the strengthening and continual optimisation of key security systems to be a top priority. In fact, as many as 75% of businesses believe security has become a standout priority in recent times, with over 15% of surveyed leaders revealing they’ve increased security-related spending in the last few years.

Further reports suggest over 60% of companies have suffered at least one physical security breach since 2022, with 25% of surveyed companies experiencing a rise in physical security incidents recently. Taking this data into account, it appears clear that the optimisation of existing commercial security systems is now seen as a major goal for many organisations.

However, improving physical security in professional environments is rarely as simple as just installing the newest and smartest technologies. If key physical security components are not configured appropriately, and responsive solutions are not frequently tested, businesses may remain vulnerable to advanced threats. No matter how much they’ve spent on smart tech.

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This is where the beauty of process management comes into play, helping leaders to ensure security systems operate efficiently and effectively via the systemic testing of vital processes.

How? By engaging with key process management principles for enhancing physical security.

Understanding Commercial Security Threats

Before any process management principles can be developed and implemented, a business must first determine what an effective security system looks like in the context of its unique environment. Only when leaders fully understand the purpose of individual security solutions, and the wider system as a whole, can process management be used to enhance operations.

To understand realistic security threats, stakeholders must carefully analyse historic security incidents and review the novel security landscape facing their industry. As well as consider any unique security vulnerabilities associated with the physical environment they operate in.

For most modern organisations operating out of a physical location, the following risk factors should be considered by leaders looking to develop effective commercial security strategies:

• Intrusion events: Between 2018 - 2023, burglary remained the most common crime against commercial enterprise in New Zealand, referenced in 75% of all crime claims.
• Workplace violence: 35% of New Zealand workers report being exposed to at least one offensive behaviour at work annually. The operation of key security technologies like access systems, video security installations, and incident reporting solutions can be used to both deter and address these threats in commercial spaces.
• Retail crime: 99% of surveyed NZ businesses experienced some form of retail crime in 2024, with such crimes estimated to cost retailers as much as $2.6 billion per year.
• Vehicular crime: 12,000 vehicle thefts were reported across New Zealand in 2024. Businesses must have policies and systems in place to effectively monitor vehicles stored on-site such as license plate recognition cameras and on-site security guards.
• Emergency response: Commercial security systems must also be optimised to ensure emergency responses can be performed both reliably and effectively. Process management principles can be applied to this facet of commercial security operations to ensure systems are streamlined and staff know how to respond to events promptly.

Identifying Security Components for Process Management

With a good understanding of the physical security threat landscape facing the business in question, leaders can begin to target key components to be included in proposed process management operations. To make sure resources are dedicated to the processes most likely to notably improve physical security outcomes, priority components must be identified.

The most reasonable and efficient way to approach this undertaking is to sort active security systems and processes into four main categories. Performing this step enables staff to apply process management principles more effectively to specific elements of wider security plans.

Access Control

This concerns all technologies and organisational policies positioned to verify the identity of individuals requesting access to private locations, systems, and assets. Teams must identify all physical access control technologies like card readers and locks, digital access systems like password management solutions, and any visitor management policies currently in use.

With these components identified, business leaders can commit to analysing specific processes related to each element. For example, with respect to access control systems, leaders can highlight multiple integral processes such as the issuing of credentials, the assigning of access permissions, and the handling of failed access attempts with an eye to process optimisation.

Video Surveillance

Commercial video surveillance systems are among the most important and popularly utilised physical security solutions in business environments, with data indicating their use may deter as many as 50% of burglary attempts. Effective systems will include robust hardware like explosion proof cameras and smart management systems that can be accessed remotely.

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