Foundations & Fundamentals: Basis for Proper Planning

"Hackers target financial institutions because that’s where the money is, and they target retail chains because that’s where people spend the money. Hotels might be a less obvious target, but they’re hacked almost as often because of the valuable data that passes through them, like credit cards and trade secrets. Thieves have targeted electronic door locks to burgle rooms and used malware attacks to log credit card swipes in real time. They’ve even used Wi-Fi to hijack hotels’ internal networks in search of corporate data. Just about all of the industry’s major players have reported breaches, including Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Intercontinental Hotel Group, and Hyatt Hotels."

Headlines, incidents, and occurrences like this are becoming too prevalent in and amongst our organizations and institutions. It is with this backdrop and what has occurred to date that we must endeavor to be more vigilant and knowledgeable about the foundations and fundamentals of security awareness and assessment. It is an essential preamble to: “Back to Basics.” Therefore, understanding the definition of risk and the process of a thorough and comprehensive risk analysis and assessment is indispensable for developing the foundation of a security master plan or comprehensive blueprint for any level of educational institution, organization, or corporate entity. In many instances our institutions have neglected this aspect due to many compromising variables – budgetary, regulations, compliance, quick fixes, policy & procedures, etc.

What is emblematic in every one of these instances is the lack of focus on risk analysis and assessment. It is the disregard and neglect in being aware of our surroundings and comprehending the operational aspects of any organization. These crucial aspects set into motion the necessity to establish a thorough risk analysis and assessment process that can be the basis for proper security master planning and will ultimately assist in the development of subsequent and critical plans – Communication, Crisis Management, Active Shooter Training, a Workplace Violence Plan, etc.

What is tantamount is, therefore, an understanding and awareness of the environment in which these organizations reside. Considering that the people, property, proprietary information, business reputation, and infrastructure are the life-blood of our institutions, it is critically important that this understanding of risk, the process of risk analysis and assessment, and the eventual planning are done meticulously. It goes to the very essence of not only protecting our greatest assets, but also to our culture’s future.

THIS IS A FIRST IN A SERIES ON RISK ASSESSMENT.