MOM’s the word
The security world can be a complicated place. With many different takes on what works best to prevent and detect crime. A client's perspective can be different to that of the security professional and one would expect that or the latter would be redundant.
When I get asked to review existing security protocols or indeed implement new ones, I take many different factors into account. Prevention and detection are completely different things. They can work hand in hand with the right application. I will talk a little more on these in a separate article.
Having several years experience in law enforcement I have become accustomed to a thought process around how to prove a suspects guilt after/ in order to prosecute them in a court. The legal teams that work for the crown prosecution service will apply their own process to help secure a successful prosecution. But what if we rewind that process and apply it before the crime has taken place?
I believe in a simple yet effective process when implementing any security provisions. Be that physical or cyber/technological. MOM'S the word!!
M - Means. Somebody has to have the means to commit a crime. Think get a way vehicle, think equipment. This can also apply to the knowledge of how to commit the crime in the first place. When considering the prevention of the crime looking at the ''MEANS'' of a suspect to commit the crime is a good place to start.
O - Opportunity. This is perhaps the easiest place to start for a security consultant. Take away the opportunity to commit the crime and it is prevented. The opportunity could be as simple as leaving a door unlocked. It could be the presence of a security guard. The opportunity needs to be considered in depth from multiple angles. Taking into account the MEANS because the means can present an opportunity and vice versa.
M - Motive. To commit a crime someone needs to have a motive. Even opportunist criminals have a reason for committing a crime. The motive could be financial gain to support a certain lifestyle or drug habit. The motive could be revenge or commercial sabotage. The motive in my opinion is perhaps the most difficult part of the process to pick up on and some might say it is something that needs a multi organisation approach. I believe that it is the case for drug addiction and repeat offenders.
Take just one of these things out of the equation and the crime cannot take place.
So there you have it. A simple yet effective system to prevent crime from taking place. If you impement this system successfully you may never know the crimes you have prevented!
Sean Keelan - Director Blue Line Security Services Ltd