If there is anything that has intensified during the COVID -19 crises, then it is the importance of the security team in operating the organization in its routine and ensuring business continuity in an emergency. Naturally, the security team is at the forefront of the organization and its gates and hence the logic of imposing COVID-19 inspection tasks on it. More so, in its definition, the security team is responsible for the employees’ wellbeing as well as its visitors’ and we all acknowledge that the COVID-19 poses a real and tangible threat to the organization inhabitant’s health and hence its very existence.
The question weather to integrate the COVID-19’s new handling requirements into the current security rolls (without getting into the matter of authority) is a valid question since it is clear that when fulfilling the tasks involved in COVID-19, the security team does not focus on the security missions that are mainly detecting and handling irregularities. However, although some will disagree, it is our understanding, that this alone cannot justify shirking responsibility.
Let us not forget that risk management is one of the main security responsibilities and to do so, we put three main components on the balance sheet: budget, operation, and the threat. Looking at the COVID-19 threat and its implications, it is clear that the level of risk is very high and the impact on operations is critical. Since most organizations have suffered a significant economic slowdown, the budget issue is getting more weight and hence we should be wondering if any additional expenses should be imposed on the organization by adding manpower to carry out the COVID-19 missions or, wisely use the existing resources in an optimal way.
Security should be proud when assimilating its own operation into the organization’s day-to-day business plan and enable it. When analyzing the aforementioned issues, a mature and responsible approach of “how can we accomplish it” should be adopted.
To accomplish the task, first and foremost is to ensure the health of the security team. Beyond the important aspect of personal health, and while understanding that security tasks cannot be done remotely, constitutes a full defensive gear to the security staff, in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s guidelines (this is in addition to ensuring the separation among different shift employees).
In addition, to allow security staff to concentrate on their security tasks and reduce direct interaction with the crowed, technologies which enable measuring fever automatically and alert upon exceptions should be used, no different from any other security system. The health statements should be filled through any available application prior to entering the organization.
In summary, it is often said that in difficult times require difficult and complex decisions and that the burden should be carried by all, to include the security team. Balancing the circumstances and its implications, we do think that the security team needs to ‘lift the glove’ while maintaining its health, reducing direct interaction and integrating technologies all which will allow the security team to focus on their tasks rather than taking temperature.
Written by: Yoel Lipson
