Intelligence gathering is likely an integral, albeit perhaps unrecognized, aspect of your security organization. This crucial process is fundamental to performing effective security risk assessments.
Understanding Intelligence Gathering
In the realm of private security, intelligence gathering involves acquiring information about potential threats to individuals, properties, or organizations to safeguard them. It plays a pivotal role in shaping risk assessments and security strategies.
The U.S. government outlines six intelligence types, but for security risk assessments, Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), Human Intelligence (HUMINT), and Imagery Intelligence (IMINT) are especially relevant.
OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence): This includes publicly accessible information from platforms like websites, databases, news outlets, and social media. Understanding what information is readily available about a location can be valuable for assessing potential threats.
HUMINT (Human Intelligence): This involves direct information gathering from people, such as conducting site surveys and engaging with current security personnel to better understand a property’s security environment.
IMINT (Imagery Intelligence): This pertains to visual data like maps and GPS imagery, which is crucial in understanding a property’s surroundings, including main roads, public transit, and public areas.
Five Tools to Enhance Security Risk Evaluations
These five tools, free and easy to use, fall into one or more of the intelligence categories mentioned above. They can significantly enhance the intelligence capabilities of security firms of any size. For more insights and tips, consider joining a free security risk assessment training session.
1. Map Compare: Offering a comparison of multiple map types side-by-side, Map Compare allows for a detailed analysis of areas for risk assessments. This enhanced visualization aids in identifying potential threats and risks.
2. Google Earth: This straightforward IMINT tool facilitates the planning of risk evaluations. Its ability to allow custom drawings and measurements on maps aids in delineating potential patrol routes.
3. Crimemapping.com: This platform combines OSINT and IMINT to present crime trends around properties. Including these insights in client reports can highlight surrounding security issues, assisting in refining security plans or adjusting service offers.
4. Citizen: Although only available in major cities, Citizen utilizes all three intelligence types. It relays user-reported incidents in real-time, aiding awareness of nearby activities that might impact security strategies.
5. OSINT Combine: A comprehensive OSINT platform, it features tools like the Social Geo Lens, which searches geo-tagged social media posts to gauge public sentiment and identify incidents near serviced areas.
The Necessity of Continuous Intelligence Collection
For those evaluating new security contracts, initial intelligence collection is vital in understanding the property and addressing client needs effectively. However, it’s essential for intelligence gathering to continue throughout the contract’s duration.
Sustained intelligence collection is crucial as risk landscapes change due to current events, demographic shifts, or even seasonal variations. Regular updates to risk assessments and intelligence strategies can make security services more adaptable and demonstrate responsiveness to evolving client needs.
For further information, a dedicated webinar on strategic security risk assessments is available, featuring expert insights from Alex Feil of EasySet.
