Developing a Comprehensive Security Management Plan

A comprehensive security management plan encompasses three key pillars: design, installation and maintenance. Proper implementation of each of these stages protects against future problems for longer. It also makes it easier to discover the source of issues if they arise. To build a plan on these pillars, hire an experienced integrator.

The Basic Elements of a Comprehensive Security Management Plan

A security management plan will fail if design, installation and maintenance expectations aren’t established. While security plans vary widely, all security management plans should include three crucial steps.  

Step 1: Design

Establish a baseline. That baseline should include reviewing specs and standards, best practices and system schematics. Then build upon and optimize that base by breaking down to individual components. Individual device installation blueprints are crucial at this stage. Setting a device installation standard eliminates deviation and allows enterprises to standardize their systems as a whole.

Step 2: Install

Set benchmarks for monitoring project completion. This plan should cover the who, what, where and when of device installation. It should also include a schedule of progress reports for key stakeholders. Meetings should occur at least once per week during this stage. Because this process may include thousands of devices,  larger enterprises may need an extended schedule to ensure the on-time completion of all milestones

Step 3: Maintain

Have a proactive maintenance plan in place. When service only occurs on an as-needed basis, enterprises won’t know a device is down until it fails to respond properly. Proactive support prevents component failure by scheduling regular monthly maintenance. There should also be a plan in place for non-routine maintenance.

These methods reduce change orders and eliminate scope creep. They also extend the life of a system exponentially. However, properly implementing a comprehensive security management plan requires experience. Expert engineers can help by using the latest technology, such as automated security integration software.

Creating a Plan with an SaaS Supported Integrator

Electronic security integrators can act as guides by educating the client on what works for a system and what doesn’t. They help enterprises gauge device quality and plan around downtime through establishing strict quality control standards.

Security providers who use also Software as a Service (SaaS) can play a critical role in this process. Each pillar of a comprehensive security management plan includes hundreds of components, which break down to thousands of pieces of data. When an automated security integration platform manages this data, it can provide an at-a-glance summary of the entire system.

It allows the enterprise to see all three pillars in action. The design blueprints are easily referenced, while the installation process is tracked and updated in real time. Maintenance is managed automatically through alerts, internal self-tests and warranty tracking.

A comprehensive security management plan eliminates the biggest challenge in electronic security management: lack of clear direction. Security integrators empower enterprises by providing detailed knowledge about their system and its needs, while supportive software allows for up-to-the-minute status updates. Approaching a security management plan armed with these assets is the best solution for maximizing the value of an enterprise security system.