Security Assessment & Consultants

Technical:

We are an independent security consulting firm that helps businesses to better manage their security risks, reduce losses, and to provide a safe and secure workplace for employees. We help you to implement security strategies that are aligned with your organization's mission and values, resulting in a security program that supports rather than interferes with the operation of your business.
• Security Assessments:Security Assessments are an excellent way to evaluate your existing security program and a great first step to take prior to making security improvements at your facility or when trying to solve a specific security problem. During a Security Assessment, all aspects of your security program are examined, any weaknesses are identified, and suggestions for security improvements are made. In addition, opportunities where costs can be reduced or where security operations can be made more efficient are identified. The Security Assessment process can be used at wide variety of different types of corporate, institutional, and governmental facilities. This assessment process is constantly evolving, allowing us to take advantage of lessons learned from previous assessments, and to keep up with the latest security best practices. The Security Assessment uses a structured, formal analysis process that allows us to develop a deep understanding of your business, operating conditions, corporate culture, and unique security risks and threats. While client involvement is crucial to success, our consultants facilitate the assessment every step of the way, keeping the project on track, and making sure that all important elements are examined. The Security Assessment is custom tailored for each project, but typically includes the following tasks:
  • Risk identification and analysis
  • Threat and vulnerability assessment
  • Review of site and facility security
  • Analysis of crime data including loss history, police calls for service, crime statistics, and crime forecast reports.
  • Review of degree of compliance with recognized CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) principles.
  • Review of degree of compliance with security requirements that are specific to your industry.
  • Review of facility operating procedures
  • Review of physical security systems
  • Review of electronic security systems
  • Review of architectural security
  • Review of security management
  • Review of security personnel
  • Evaluation of present security program and identification of any weaknesses and vulnerabilities
  • Development of recommendations for security improvements
  • Prioritization of recommendations and development of implementation plan
  • Preparation of written Security Assessment Report
• Security Planning: While designing a new building or planning the renovation of an existing one, it is crucial that security be considered as a part of the design and planning process. We have assisted owners, architects, engineers, and property managers with the planning of security for new construction and renovation projects. The typical tasks that we perform during the security planning process are:
  • Identification of security risks and threats
  • Determination of security requirements
  • Development of preliminary security concepts for buildings and site
  • Identification of areas within the buildings that require varying degrees of protection
  • Creation of security zones
  • Development of concepts for security control and separation
  • Identification of conflicts between security and egress requirements
  • Preparation of Building Security Plan that identifies requirements for:
    • Doors and lock hardware
    • Fencing and gates
    • Landscaping
    • Vehicular barriers
    • Parking lot and site lighting
    • Electronic security systems: access control, video surveillance, security intercom, intrusion alarms, panic alarms, etc.
    • Security screening equipment: package x-ray, metal detection systems, etc.
    • Safes, vaults, and file storage systems
    • Bullet and blast resistant barriers
    • Security signage
    • Emergency communications systems
    • Security of telephone and data rooms
    • Protection of HVAC air intakes
  • Participation with architect, owner, and other members of design team
  • Provide consultation to architect and design team on effective implementation of CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) principles
  • Provide assistance in developing technical specification sections for security related systems and services
  • Provide other assistance as requested by architect or owner
  Having a qualified security consultant as a part of the design team can allow you to construct a facility that provides maximum protection of your people, information and other assets, while at the same time greatly reducing security operating costs. Don't make security an afterthought - be sure that security is properly planned right from the very start of your project.
• Security RFP Preparation:We help clients to prepare RFP (request-for proposal) documents to enable the competitive procurement of security systems, guard services, and other security-related products and services. We have in depth experience in preparing RFPs and technical specifications for access control systems, alarm monitoring systems, video surveillance systems, security communications systems, and other types of electronic security systems. We also prepare RFPs and specifications for security guard and patrol services, alarm monitoring services, and other types of security services. We have in depth experience in preparing RFPs and technical specifications for access control systems, alarm monitoring systems, video surveillance systems, security communications systems, and other types of electronic security systems. We also prepare RFPs and specifications for security guard and patrol services, alarm monitoring services, and other types of security services. Our RFP preparation services are custom tailored to meet the requirements of each client, and may include some or all of the following:
  • Definition of the client's requirements and scope of work.
  • Conducting research to identify suitable products and services.
  • Identification and pre-qualification of vendors, products, and service providers.
  • Coordination of vendor demonstrations and interviews.
  • Preparation of detailed technical specifications for security products and services. Specifications can be performance based (vendor-neutral) or written around specific products depending on the needs of the client.
  • Preparation of administrative requirements for the project, including requirements for scheduling, project management, safety, and quality control.
  • Preparation of bid forms, equipment schedules, and sketches showing desired locations of security devices.
  • Development of criteria for the scoring and evaluation of proposals.
  • The advantages of having Novius prepare your RFP include:
    • You will receive guidance from an independent security expert that has up-to-date knowledge of the latest security products and services, yet has no focus on ties or allegiances to anyone other than you.
    • You will get an RFP that is professionally-written, complies with industry standards, and uses recognized terms and specification language.
    • You will get an RFP that is easily understood by vendors, clearly defines project requirements, and provides a level playing field for everyone involved.
    • You will get an RFP that delivers proposals that can be compared on a true "apples-to-apples" basis.
    • You will get the benefits of experience gained and lessons learned from hundreds of similar projects.
    • You will have someone available to help you with the technical aspects of your project from start to finish.
• Security Design Standards:For companies that have on going design and construction projects in multiple locations, we develop Security Design Standards that can be used to assure consistency between facilities. Security Design Standards are given to architects, engineers, and contractors and provide guidance on how security features are to be incorporated into the design of the building.
  • Security Design Standards typically include:
  • General security concepts for building and site
  Standards for security related building elements, including:
  • Doors and lock hardware
  • Fencing and gates
  • Landscaping
  • Vehicular barriers
  • Parking lot and site lighting
  • Safes, vaults, and file storage systems
  • Bullet or blast resistant barriers
  • Signage
  • Security of critical utilities
  • Protection of HVAC air intakes
  • Standards for special security areas, including:
    • Security control room
    • Security equipment rooms
    • Telephone and data rooms
    • Reception areas
    • Executive offices
    • Security screening areas
    • Other high-security areas
  • Standards for electronic security systems, including:
    • Access control systems
    • Intrusion detection systems
    • Closed-circuit television systems
    • Security communications systems
    • Other security systems
  • Preferred brands and types of equipment
  • Standard specifications for equipment and security systems
  • Installation details
  • Documentation requirements
• Security Design Review:We provide services to review architectural design and construction documents prepared by others to determine if all physical security requirements have been properly incorporated into the design. The Security Design Review, sometimes known as a “QC Plan Review” or “Peer Review”, provides independent validation of the security design and can often catch errors that would be difficult and expensive to correct if discovered later during construction.
• Review of security program, design drawings, and specifications
• Review of general security concepts for buildings and site
• Review for compliance with recognized CPTED (Crime Prevention through Environmental Design) principles
• Review of security related design elements, including:
  • Doors and lock hardware
  • Fencing and gates
  • Landscaping
  • Vehicular barriers
  • Parking lot and site lighting
  • Electronic security systems
  • Security screening equipment
  • Safes, vaults, and file storage systems
  • Security control room
  • Security of critical utilities
• Preparation of written Security Design Review report. The report identifies any deficiencies or inconsistencies noted and provides suggestions for improvements.
• Consultation with owner, architect, and other members of the design team as needed to answer questions or clarify comments in the report
• Security Policies & Procedures: Do you need a comprehensive set of written security policies and procedures for your company or organization?
  Many organizations have the development of security policies and procedures on their “to-do” list, but don’t ever seem to complete the job. They often lack the time required to properly carry out this task, or don’t feel technically qualified to sort through some of the areas of security that must be addressed. In many cases, the individual given this responsibility is overwhelmed and doesn’t even know where to begin. We use a proven, structured method to develop policies and procedures for physical security. We begin by reviewing the client’s existing security policies and procedures. Some of our clients are just beginning to create their security program and have little or nothing for us to review. At the other end of the spectrum are clients which literally have boxes and boxes of security policies and procedures documents; many of which are outdated or in conflict with one another. We then create a written outline that addresses all topics that are to be included in the security policies and procedures manual. Depending on the type and size of the organization, this outline could include 50 to 500 security-related topics that are to be considered for inclusion in the manual.
• Security Proposal Review:We provide assistance with the review of bid proposals from security system equipment manufacturers, systems integrators, alarm companies, and guard agencies. We have the technical expertise necessary to help you evaluate proposals and can offer an independent opinion as to which proposal best meets your needs.
• Our security proposal review services typically include the following tasks:
• Review of proposals to determine compliance with specifications and contract requirements
• Review of quantities of materials and/or scope of services
• Review of proposed costs and proposed delivery schedules
• Review of technical capabilities and past performance record of vendors
• Attend vendor product demonstrations or presentations
• Visit sites where similar products or services are currently utilized
• Conduct technical analysis of each proposal and rank each based on cost, technical capabilities, and other factors
• Meet with client’s proposal review committee to discuss analysis and to assist in arriving at final decision
• Security Training
• Examples of training services that we can provide include:
• Development of security training programs and security awareness materials
• Conducting security awareness training sessions for employees
• Conducting security training for supervisors and managers
• Conducting training on basic security system maintenance to in-house engineers and maintenance technicians
• Conducting “Train the Trainer” programs to enable supervisors and HR administrators to conduct localized security awareness training at remote sites