Physical Security Designing in the Bank of Kentucky - Case Study Example

Physical security designing s Physical security designing Phase 2: Part one The Bank of Kentucky is a fast growing commercial bank in the region. The bank has always worked to meet its targets with the recent target of 100000 customer deposits attained. The bank is proud of its exceptional services to its customers. It also boasts for the wide variety of services it accords its customers with the recent introduction of mobile and banking internet banking. Customers flock at this branch since it is conveniently located within the central business district of the city. Most of the people using this bank are business persons and corporates, government employees, teachers, farmers and students (The Bank Of Kentucky, 2014). Summary The bank is situated at intersection of the W 19th street and the Madison Avenue. The bank is located on a ¼ acre piece of land. The banking building has two floors. Within the banking compound is another small room that is used as the generator storage room. A parking space is also available in front of the bank. The main building in which the bank is located forms the perimeter fence of the banking compound separating the bank from the neighboring streets. Bordering the bank’s parking space is a vintage building that is used for various services including computing and photocopying shops. Across the street lie other businesses, mainly hotels and fast food outlets. On the rear side of this building; where the generator is located, there is a bordering access street. There is no direct entry into the banking compound from this access street. Within the vicinity of this bank is a police station, strategically located near to respond to any security issues. A hospital is also a few blocks away. There are two filling stations along the neighboring streets. The Madison Avenue hosts many businesses including grocery stores, drug stores and general retail shops. There are also schools and collages within the town. The banking building was constructed of bricks and concrete. There were metal grill reinforcement to strengthen the building. The lighting to the building is provided by the national electricity grid with a back-up generator to ensure the bank is always on power supply. The following diagram represents the bank’s schematic arrangement. Diagram: Kentucky Commercial Bank, 19th and Madison Branch located on 1831 Madison Ave Covington, KY 41014 In the past 2 year, there has been only one security incident involving this bank. The other two security incidents were considered minor by the bank’s chief security officer. In the major incident, there was an attempted robbery with violence. Four armed robbers had been spotted by a customer along the E 19th street, which is directly opposite this banking facility plotting to stage a robbery at the bank. The nearby police were notified and responded before the armed men attacked the bank. The robbery was successfully averted and nothing was lost. In the other incidence, one involved the alarm going off in half a day. After investigation, it was established that it was due to a functionality fault. The other incident involved a young street boy snatching a handbag from a lady outside the bank. The security guards at the door responded immediately and arrested the thief and handed him to the authorities (The Bank Of Kentucky, 2014). Criticality Any bank is a critical security area in any town that needs to be under guard round the clock. As identified, the Kentucky Commercial Bank is important to the local town. It does not only provide banking services to the people but also to the local administration. The town administration holds its accounts with this bank. This bank is responsible for receiving revenues on behalf of the local government. Compromising of the banking security is likely to deny the locals people essential services like clean water, waste management, health services and also security of the town in general. This is the key reason why this bank is under 24 hour’s surveillance. The banking sector forms an important part of the economy in any country. You ask an economist, you will find out that compromising a bank is likely to lead to bad economic consequences. For instance, theft of money from the bank will increase cash in circulation. With increased money with the public, the prices of commodities will go high and this will hurt the economy of the country as a whole. Therefore, the bank has to be guarded at all time to ensure all the money stored therein is secure at all times. Within the town in which this bank is located, there are other banks, but The Bank of Kentucky 19th and Madison Branch is the largest banking branch within town. The bank gives numerous services to residents and its location makes it a favorite bank for most of the town dwellers. Compromising the security of this bank will mean that the residents will have to find an alternative bank with similar services, which will force them to go out of town to bank their money. This is likely to result in another security incident as they will be traveling longer with cash to bank it. The bank of Kentucky is a leading commercial bank in the region. The bank is the major service provider to many of the residents of the region. Most town businesses operate accounts with the bank and also depend on the bank for loans to finance their businesses. If the banking information is compromised, a lot is likely to go wrong. First, if the information is accessed by malicious people, they can strategize on how to hedge the bank from its position as the regional leader. This is likely to drive away the bank form operation. Collapse of the bank will mean a collapse of the major town business. Secondly, if the customer information is accessed maliciously, it can be used to commit robberies across the town. These are some of the other reasons why the bank should be highly secured. Existing security infrastructure Due to the importance of the facility, it is heavily guarded with both human security and technological security devices. At the entrance of the bank compound, there is always a security guard who directs and inspects traffic entering and exiting the parking lot. This security officer operates only during the normal banking hours (Lobby Hours: Monday -Thursday 9:00 - 5:00 Friday 9:00 - 6:00 and Sat. 9:00 -1:00; Drive up Hours: Monday -Friday 9:00 - 6:00 Sat. 9:00 -1:00). There are two security guards; one inside the banking hall and the other at the entrance lobby. These two take patrols within the banking hall in turns. All the sides of the bank building are fitted with CCTV camera for enhanced surveillance. There are also other surveillance cameras inside the banking hall and all the other banking offices. There is s CCTV control room, which is also the security room for the bank. There are two attendants monitoring the activities as recorded by these cameras. There is chief security officer, whose office is in the control room. He takes random patrols within and outside the banking hall. He is also the supervisor of the overall branch security and liaises with external security agencies like the police in case of security issues. Two of the guards at the entrance and the one in the banking hall are always armed. The chief of security also carries a short gun with him. The bank’s security was leased to a local security firm; responsible for deploying the identified security officers. The company also installed an alarm system that is connected to motion sensors. The motion sensors are activated during the night to detect any unauthorized movement when the bank is not in operation. The when the alarm goes off, the security company is able to respond within 6 minutes. During the non-banking hours, there are two armed guards within the bank compound. One guards the ATM section which is always in use whereas the other one patrols around the bank compound (The Bank Of Kentucky, 2014). Part 2: Survey questions Physical security 1. What general purpose does the building serves? 2. What other functions does the building serve apart from banking? 3. Are there any identifiable security challenges involving the building? 4. Are there any hazards posed by this building? 5. What are the ground measures put in place to address the hazards, if any? 6. Who is in charge of the building, (the owner and the caretaker?) 7. Are there any security appliances installed within the banking premises? 8. How is the banking compound secured during normal banking hours and during off times? 9. How is access to the building controlled? 10. Are there safety measures put in place in case of emergency? Guard security 1. How many guards are always present at the facility? 2. Who is in charge of the security guards? 3. Is the building protected by a security private company or the bank’s own secirty or by the police? 4. What is the work of the various security guards? 5. How can members of the public identify guards? 6. How are the guards trained to be vigil and observant of any suspicious activities? 7. What procedure is followed once a security incident has been observed? 8. What is the frequency of reported security incidences? 9. Are the guards trained on safety measures in case of emergencies like fire? 10. How long does it take for the security agencies, like the police, to respond to security alarms? Office security 1. How are the offices within the bank secured? 2. Are there access authorizations on door? 3. Are there clearance levels for access of offices? 4. How is the banking information secured? 5. Has there been an internal security issue? 6. What is done if an employee within the bank illegally accesses forbidden information? 7. Do the employees have safety skills in case of emergencies like fire? 8. What are the risks facing the office plan and arrangement in this facility? 9. Are there safes or volt rooms where important documents and money are kept? 10. Who is authorized to carry the bank keys? Works Cited The Bank Of Kentucky. (2014, June 6). About the bank. Retrieved from The Bank Of Kentucky: https://www.bankofky.com Read More