When dealing with the production and storage of high value items, security planning does not only make sense but, as in medical marihuana and other prescription drugs, it is required by applicable legislation such as the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulation (“MMPR”). In today’s world of fully integrated electronic systems, a good security system provider can help you meet many of Health Canada’s security requirements. Such security companies can provide a solid plan of all access controls and physical barriers but these components should not be mistaken for your company’s security plan nor should external security system providers be relied upon for your company’s security plan. The licensed producer or other company with high value items should “own” its security plan.
Full video coverage of a room is a good deterrent but it can be easily circumvented, especially if more than one person work in concert. And any physical barrier can be breached for a period. Employees can both be part of your security measures, and they can be a threat. A security plan is the integration of all aspects of a company’s activity to achieve maximum security while maintaining productivity. This difficult balance can only be achieved through a careful evaluation of threats and risks, a thorough examination of operational needs, building layout, personnel, and building architecture, to identify appropriate security measures.
The physical security requirements laid out under the MMPR and the Directive on Physical Security Requirements for Controlled Substance (DPSRCS) provide a starting point from which your security plan can be designed and implemented. From this, a fully comprehensive approach can be achieved where electronic access controls, physical barriers, alarm monitoring services, and security guard personnel can be combined with functional building layouts, operations protocols, and effective policies and procedures. A security plan is all those things working together to form an integral part of your business identity.
When dealing with security, each business location and activity is unique and should be looked at from an independent and fresh perspective. Each security plan is unique. This is a security feature in itself, ensuring that vulnerabilities of one site are not repeated in another. Furthermore, a good security plan, based on a careful evaluation of threat and risk, characterizes the integrity and strength an enterprise; it protects business continuity and contributes to the identity of the company by ensuring that processes and public relations efforts are both protected and supported.
The DPSRCS highlight the need for each enterprise to conduct a risk assessment before considering security measures. And Health Canada recognizes the need for producers to take ownership of their security by ensuring that every applicant submits its own version of security planning.
Take ownership of your security. Entering into a new venture offers many challenges, but it also provides an opportunity to create and integrate all aspects of security so that they meet budget requirements while seamlessly protecting your operations.
Written by Norm Boucher, Security Consultant and Retired RCMP Security Specialist. Norm may be reached at 613.869.9154 or by email at norm@bouchermanagementgroup.
