The most common method of training for potential mailroom security threats is to identify and focus on the “worst-case scenario.”
Doing so gets the full scope of the threat on the table so everyone understands how significant the situation can be.
What this doesn’t do is mentally prepare those involved when the scenario isn’t the worst case.
If the only answer you have is to call 9-1-1 then every problem only has a 9-1-1 solution.
While this may work well on paper, it does not assist with mail security issues like COVID-19, that fall within the middle of the scale.
Most Likely Scenario: False Positive or Hoax
False positives happen all the time and, for the most part, cause minimal disruption.
Sure, they are costly and take time, but normally they are managed in real-time, at the lowest level possible and do serve to keep an organization awake and aware of possible threats.
Hoax threats take another tone altogether.
Hoaxes are “intended” to waste time, money, and if done properly, expose an organization’s response procedures to those who intend further harm.
Most organizations don’t have the ability to keep or maintain security professionals on their staff so hoax threats become full-blown events.
The art of Emergency Management (EM) comes with the proper allocation of efforts against appropriate threats.
Pre-planning for when that threat arrives removes the “We found it, what’s next?” question.
Several effective, low-cost preventive measures include: soliciting advice from EM professionals on protective buttressing for explosive threats, establishing pre-set decontamination sites for chemical or biological events, or simply installation of cameras that allow first responders to see the threat before arriving on site.
Engage EM professionals within your organization and if you don’t have any reach out and see what is available.
RaySecur’s EM leaders will answer your questions and assist with a smart way to secure your organization and people while keeping costs and inconvenience to a minimum.