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Physical security surveys for buildings, campuses and multi-site companies
A physical security survey is an on-site review focused on securing your building or buildings. Greg Schneider, CPP, walks each site, looks at the perimeter and the interior, and gives you his findings and recommendations. It covers one site, or every site for a company with several physical locations.
Greg Schneider, CPPFounder, Battle Tested Solutions. Certified Protection Professional since 2007
What is a physical security survey?
A physical security survey is a review of how well your built structures are protected. The focus is chiefly on securing the building or buildings, from the perimeter of the property to the interior.
It is narrower in scope than a comprehensive security risk assessment, Both review your security guards, your policies and procedures and how fast first responders can reach you in an emergency. The comprehensive assessment goes deeper: how critical each executive is to the company, online threats, vendor management, and hiring and firing processes.
Who hires Greg for a physical security survey
The same people who hire him for a comprehensive assessment:
- Owners of small and medium sized businesses
- Executive directors of companies and nonprofits
- Chief security officers
- Property managers
- Owners and directors of other security consulting firms
Want a quick first look?
Businesses can start with the free workplace security self-assessment. Synagogues and churches can use the house of worship self-assessment.
What Greg checks on a physical security survey site walk
Clients often ask Greg to focus on the perimeter of the property. To be thorough, he evaluates interior security vulnerabilities too.
- The perimeter of the property
- The built structure or structures
- Interior security vulnerabilities
How long a site walk takes depends on the size and complexity of the building or campus. Some clients have multiple buildings and campuses located in different cities and states.
How Greg collects the facts
- Questionnaires
- Interviews
- Walks through the sites
- Internet research
You receive his findings and recommendations, which bring together all of his collection methods and analysis.
Physical security surveys for companies with several locations
The report can be customized: one report per site, or several sites included in one regional assessment.
Example: a physical security survey at a medical office
While assessing a medical office, Greg found that the back door of the IT hub was propped open. Unauthorized people could have walked in.
After the survey, a sensor was installed on the door that sounds an alarm if the door is held open for 6 to 8 seconds. Employees received further training, and signage went up.
What the example shows
The fix combined equipment, training and signage. Greg also teaches tactical response training for staff.
Physical security survey or comprehensive risk assessment?
Choose a physical security survey when your main concern is the building: its perimeter and its interior. Choose a comprehensive security risk assessment when you also want executive criticality, online threats, vendor management and hiring and firing processes reviewed. Houses of worship have their own house of worship security assessment.
Greg holds the Certified Protection Professional (CPP) credential from ASIS International, the professional association for security management. Read more about Greg Schneider's background.
Ask Greg a security question
Not sure where to start? Send a short note about what you are protecting. Greg reads every message himself.
Prefer to talk? Call Greg at (650) 235-5459 or book a free 15-minute call.
Physical security survey questions
What is the difference between a physical security survey and a security risk assessment?
A physical security survey focuses on securing the built structures, and it also evaluates your guards, your policies and procedures and first responder reaction time. A comprehensive security risk assessment goes deeper: executive criticality, online threats, vendor management and hiring and firing processes.
Who hires Greg for a physical security survey?
Owners of small and medium sized businesses, executive directors of companies and nonprofits, chief security officers, property managers, and owners or directors of other security consulting firms.
Does the survey cover only the perimeter?
No. Clients often ask Greg to focus on the perimeter of the property, but to be thorough he evaluates interior security vulnerabilities too.
How long does a site walk take?
It depends on the size and complexity of the building or campus. Some clients have multiple buildings and campuses in different cities and states.
We have several locations. Do we get one report or one per site?
Either. The report can be customized one per site, or several sites can be included in one regional assessment.
Does Greg do physical security surveys outside California?
Yes. Battle Tested Solutions is based in Santa Clara, California, and Greg does on-site work anywhere in the United States, and work abroad.