In today’s complex threat and risk landscape, effective security system design requires careful planning, expertise, and a comprehensive understanding of both potential threats and available technologies. Security consultants play a pivotal role in this process, bringing specialized knowledge and experience to create robust, layered security solutions and unlike vendors, independent security consultants can survey the entire landscape of solutions versus integrators or vendors who may only have access to a small line of products and solutions.

Laying the Groundwork: Why Risk Assessment is Essential

The foundation of successful security system design is risk assessment and initial analysis. When architects start a building project, they start with a process called “programming”. This is identical to the physical security risk assessment process used by the consultant.

Before any security system design can be effective, a thorough risk assessment should be conducted. Qualified security design consultants begin by:

• Identifying critical assets requiring protection
• Analyzing potential threats and vulnerabilities
• Evaluating the likelihood and impact of various security scenarios
• Determining the facility’s specific security requirements and identifying how security systems can add value to other areas of a business (e.g., the safety program, combating fraudulent workers’ compensation claims).

This initial assessment forms the foundation for all subsequent design decisions and helps establish the appropriate level of security needed.

Key Components of Security System Design

Perimeter Security

Dependent on the risk and crime levels, the first line of defense may include:

• Fencing and barriers
• Gate systems and vehicle checkpoints
• Perimeter intrusion detection systems (PIDS)
• Lighting systems
• Landscape design for security
• Radar

Security consultants help determine the optimal combination of these elements based on the facility’s specific needs and environmental conditions. 

Access Control

Access control is the foundation for every successful security program. Access control system design must balance security with convenience and may include some or all of the measures below:

• Visitor management systems.
• Smart card technologies.
• Multi-factor authentication systems.
• Biometric readers.
• Integration with HR systems for automated access rights management (for onboarding and separation).
• Coordination with mechanical locks and keys.

Cloud systems need to be considered early in the product selection process as many companies are trending away from having a lot of servers on premises. 

Secure credentials are another important focus area as it is becoming easier and easier to clone low security credentials.

Where electronic access control is used there is a need for the consultant leading the security system design to carefully coordinate with the clients IT department for space in the server and data closets for access control equipment, provision of IP address, loading of client software on company computers and other items. There will be a poor outcome if IT is not brought in very early to a project.

Video Surveillance

Video surveillance systems can perform a number of critical functions for a company:

Function of Video	Definition
Deterrence	A typical function of video surveillance cameras is to provide deterrence of criminal activity. Typical placement for such applications might be in parking lots or other indoor areas where theft occurs. Studies have shown video can be effective at deterring property crime.
Detection	Video analytics software uses analytics capabilities to analyze camera feeds, to detect objects or suspicious activity by comparing real-time footage against learned normal patterns. When violations occur – like unauthorized entry, loitering, or abandoned objects – the system alerts security personnel and can trigger automated responses while logging incidents for review.
Forensic Examination	Except for rare cases, video is typically intended to be recorded. Recorded video can be replayed to review events, support investigations, enforcement of rules and to provide evidence for criminal cases. Without proper planning, security system design, installation and maintenance, recorded video can fail you when you need it most.
Supplement Patrols	Where applicable, dispatch or security personnel can actively use the system to supplement roving or directed patrols by surveying high risk areas or those that might be experiencing elevated criminal activity. Exterior pan, tilt, and zoom cameras can be engaged to view areas and to supplement vehicle or foot patrols.
Operational Support	There are times when personnel may be remotely admitted into a building or site. When remote admittance is required, video serves an important purpose in allowing the campus employee to verify the presence and identity of a person prior to admittance. Video can also be used for virtually escorting personnel to a vehicle in the parking lot during dynamic threat periods.
Assessment	In cases where alarm events are generated from systems external to video management (e.g., door alarms from an electronic access control system), the video feed can be used by dispatch or security personnel to determine what is happening and relay important information to responders. Assessment video may also be used to prove an alarm event as a nuisance and eliminate wasted response resources.

The Security Consultant’s Role

Professional independent security consultants ensure a security system design:

• Accurately aligns available security technology with a client’s needs.
• Conforms to industry-specific regulations.
• Considers local building codes.
• Adheres to corporate security technology standards, policies and performance standards.
• Ensure all components work together seamlessly.
• Plans for future expansion and ensure scalability. 
• Utilizes a phased approach when there are funding restrictions, which is why it is vital to select a security system design consultant who has the capability to provide reasonably accurate security system cost estimates. 
• Considers the entire lifecycle cost for both capital expenditure planning, depreciation and operating expense planning.
• Prepares accurate drawings and specifications to enable easy bidding by installing contractors and ensuring all salient details and expectations are clearly documented and defined.
• Assists the client in identifying qualified installation contractors.
• Monitors and ensures that an adequate and sustainable training strategy is implemented moving forward from ineffective traditional training models.
• Validates bid values and ensures that vendor bid costs are reasonable. See the case study at the upcoming link, where BPS saved a client over $300,000 on a single warehouse security system design project.

Conclusion

Successful security system design requires a delicate balance of multiple factors, from risk assessment to technology integration. Security consultants bring invaluable expertise to this process, ensuring that all elements work together to create a comprehensive security solution that adequately protects people. assets, information, reputation, and operational continuity. And if you’re ready to start working on the design of your business security system, you can do so right now with security system design services from BPS.

Learn more about our Security System Design service