By Stephanie Osorno, Marketing Copywriter at Alertus Technologies

Organizational physical security is one of the many operational functions that has drastically changed in the wake of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As you begin to make plans for a safe transition to on-site work, it’s important to assess and enhance your current physical security plan.

Alertus’ recent virtual seminar with Transbay Joint Powers Authority (TJPA), owner and operator of the Salesforce Transit Center, focuses on physical security improvement in an ever-changing, unpredictable landscape.

Nicolas A. Smith, Jr, Security Practice Leader at Willis Towers Watson, offered his physical security expertise during the seminar. He talks to us about the importance of physical security and shares some of his presentation highlights below. 

Name: Nicholas A. Smith, Jr, CPP
Title: Security Practice Leader
Organization: Willis Towers Watson

Can you tell us about your role as Security Practice Leader at Willis Towers Watson (WTW)? 

I support WTW insured brokerage clients in any physical security and workplace violence concerns or issues. Prior to this work (which is new business development and delivering consulting services for our clients), I was a corporate security director for Fortune 25 firms Merck and AIG.

What does physical security mean?

It generally refers to the protection and sustainability of important organizational aspects such as facility, operational, personnel, and procedural security.

In your opinion, why is organizational physical security so important?

Physical security protects assets, people, property, intellectual property, client data, and reputation, among other considerations. In addition, it supports ownership, investor or shareholder value, and meets good governance mandates.

You offered some great insight and expertise during our recent virtual seminar! Can you talk about some of the topics you covered during your presentation (“Critical Issues in Physical Security Risk Mitigation - 2021 and Beyond”)? 

I discussed traditional security concerns for organizations and then moved into how security must now often be converged with business continuity and resilience. I used the time to address the pandemic impact on organizational security, including the work from home shift and physical protection of information systems. Finally, I touched on organizational security priorities such as travel security, robust emergency readiness, and public-private information sharing.   

What did you most enjoy about the virtual seminar? What do you think was the value for attendees?

I’m honored to have been invited to share my best critical thinking on physical security, and it was exciting to meet new contacts. I believe this seminar provided attendees with valuable guidance and thought-provoking points to consider. The seminar presentations were noteworthy for all security and risk management professionals, regardless of their unique duties and place within the industry. 

You catch the on-demand virtual seminar — “Organizational Physical Security for a Changing Landscape: Trends, Best Practices, and the Road Ahead” — replay below.