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America Attacked:
Improving Workplace Security
With Stephen S. Fuller, Ph.D.
School of Public Policy at George Mason University
Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2001; 2 p.m. EDT
The Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon are being called the single worst act of terrorism on U.S. soil. The Bush administration has declared war on terrorism as the country considers new measures for homeland security. A military build-up continues as troops, ships and planes prepare for an as yet undisclosed mission.
As employees have returned to the workplace, concerns and awareness of safety on the job have increased.
Richard L. Soloway is a counselor on security trends and issues including domestic and institutional security. He was online Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 2 p.m. EDT, to discuss tips for improving workplace security.
Soloway is an expert on recognizing security breaches that could lead to human injury, loss of life, kidnapping and loss of property. He is chairman of the board of NAPCO Security Systems, Inc., specializing in electronic and mechanical security systems.
A transcript follows.
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Richard Soloway: My name is Richard Soloway, I'm founder and Chairman of NAPCO Security Systems. NAPCO is a 30 year old manufacturer of security products used in industrial, residential, commercial applications. We're a public company traded on NASDAQ and our symbol is NSSC.
The NAPCO security group, the original company, consists of Alarm Lock and Continental Instruments. So NAPCO makes security and fire electronic controls for buildings and Alarm Lock makes electronic locks and exit security devices and Continental makes access control systems which are used in large buildings, airports and office buildings and you operate the systems either with a card or fingerprint or a retina scanner or vein scanning.
That's what we have as far as products. We design and manufacture everything ourselves. We have a full engineering and marketing department. We're sold by professional security installation companies and building integrators.
Bethesda, Md.:
What specific things should employers be thinking about as they work to upgrade their safety procedures for office buildings?
Richard Soloway: An office building should have access control readers of the types of varieties I mentioned. Cards, fingerprints, retina or vein located at strategic points throughout the building so people not in the system don't have access to the building.
In addition, all interior doors -- stairwells, roof access -- should have an exit alarm on them and this prevents a person from coming in from the stairwell or roof or basement, but allows the workers to have quick access in case of emergency. You've seen them in airports -- with red paddles.
In addition, I believe offices should have CCTV sytem, panic buttons in case of emergency and a public address system with emergency procedures. People in a panic situation sometimes forget, so you need prearranged instructions and should test it a couple times a year. It puts everyone on the same page in case of emergency.
Bethesda, Md.:
In terms of psychological impact, how do you think the attacks on Sept. 11 affected people, as opposed to other events like workplace shootings?
Richard Soloway: I think that everybody is very sensitized to all different levels of security more than before because it was so dramatic and so harrowing. So all aspects of security will be improved throughout the country and the world. People will be more sensitive to attacks in shopping malls, places of work and in their homes and security is a need that is increasing as the world becomes more complicated. More security is needed in all levels of peoples' lives.
Washington, D.C.:
I have been put in charge of implementing office security for our small (six people) office after the horrible events of Sept. 11th. Our office is on 18th and I Street, NW, close to many federal buildings. Do you have any suggestions on where to go and what to do in case of another emergency situation. We did not leave our building until an hour after the Pentagon was hit and we are unsure about where the safest place for us would be. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Richard Soloway: My advice would be to -- there is in most police precincts a n emergency officer -- contact the local police department and discuss your office location, number of employees and see what he would suggest in different types of emergencies -- terrorist, fire, bomb threats -- and then put that into a procedure and make sure everyone in the office knows the procedures and be prepared.
Dallas, Tex.:
What aren't American businesses doing in terms of security that they should be doing?
Richard Soloway: There's a few different types of security.
Related to attacks from the outside, internal security -- such as computer files and equipment that can be stolen. Two different things. Where you have attacks and emergencies, have an evacuation procedure or a fire procedure worked out in advance with the local police. You should of course have a fire and smoke detector system and there should be a photo-electric type of system, which is very reliable. You should also have some kind of panic buttons. This helps with assaults -- so you can call silently to the police department. Should also have access control, there should be magnetic locks on doors, you should also have some type of badging system so guests have to sign in.
When it comes to machinery and computers and software and files. They go missing every year in businesses. These should be secured with access control locks on doors. These are easy to install. THey replace regular doorknob sets on doors. This way merchandise and files can't just walk off. There's a brand called Trilogy which has these features built in. It registers who comes into the office and allows the office to be accessible only certain hours during the day.
Then normal access control -- you don't want someone wandering into an area with scientific secrets or marketing lists.
The interesting thing about a good system today is that if designed well it's very easy to use and doesn't interrupt your normal day. It should be almost transparent to the operator and that way, you get the safety without making it too cumbersome for an individual.
Baltimore, Md.:
How can a firm recognize whether or not it's vulnerable to security breaches?
Richard Soloway: If you don't see access control, fire systems, panic buttons and video within an office, you're not fully prepared.
Washington, D.C.:
Do you know anything about the status of Federal building safety? And, if it was up to you, what changes would you make?
Richard Soloway: I believe that all the buildings should have an access control system and fire and panic, but they should be individual systems so you don't have a single point of problem. Meaning if something goes wrong in one system it doesn't take down the entire system.
Washington, D.C.:
I'm scared at work -- mainly about the lack of locked doors during the day and the presence of a public parking lot in the basement of my building. How can I suggest to the building managers that they need to do something to make the place safer? We've asked in the past, but nothing has happened out of concerns over the costs.
Richard Soloway: There should be a path of light in the darkened parking areas from the office to the parking lot and people are now using panic buttons -- which are usable, they'd scare a criminal away. If the light isn't enough of a deterrent and you need to push a panic button on your keychain, it'll trigger a siren that will scare criminals away.
It behooves building owners, if he wants to keep tenants, to make it safe. It's not that expensive. We have one that you can carry in the rain, on your keychain, that gives 2000 feet of coverage. There can be a box on the wall that has a talking siren that says "Intruder in the Area" when you press the button. It's called Safebox. It can be used in lots, in train stations and that's for external security.
Within the building, you should have exit alarms on interior doors. And panic buttons either portable or hard-wired under a desk.
Washington, D.C.:
What is the biggest downfall of most workplaces when it comes to security?
Richard Soloway: Easily accessable offices with no security or locks on the doors.
Arlington, Va.:
Mr. Soloway, what can I do to generally feel more secure at work without waiting for the company to make institutionalized changes?
Richard Soloway: I think you could put together a concerned employee committee and assign a corporate security coordinator that could organize everybody for the protection of all employees.
Richard Soloway: You want to do these things before there's a problem or a tragedy.
McLean, Va.:
What should you do, or who should you contact, if you work for a Government installation that has made no changes to nearly non-existent security?
Richard Soloway: With today's new concern about security, I think that government and management officials will be much more open and sensitive about securing the workplace.
After the attacks, everyone is much more sensitive to these security issues.
Washington, D.C.:
What's the most common concern people have when returning to the workplace after an event like this? Are employees in high rises more psychologically and actually affected?
Richard Soloway: I think with some of the methods I described and a proper evacuation plan, even high rises can be secure, and better than they have been. In addition, you want to have a plan worked out so that everyone gets out very quickly and vacates the premises.
The more stairs you have to climb down, the smoother the evacuation plan has to be. Or simpler.
Richard Soloway: Every premise where people live and work must be protected today and if you install the right equipment using a reputable alarm and access control company, you'll get a system to suit the needs of your business or your home.
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