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In the world of fluid and ever changing threats, it is essential for security professionals not to lose their focus on specific security goals that they seek to attain. As the nature of security operations changes (e.g. shifts from protection of individuals to securing critical infrastructure), security managers have to keep in mind requirements for each job. In order to remain effective security practitioners, it should be remembered that character and style of management of security operation is totally dependent upon the nature of security goals and conditions of the external environment. It is impossible to use the same methods and techniques in all kinds of operations. Replicating is unacceptable strategy in planning and implementation when context is different. This is why security risk assessment should play a leading role in security and risk management. It enables security professionals to develop tailored, case specific plans for security issues at stake. Security risk assessment is widely recognised concept in the industry. ASIS International defines it as "a detailed examination including risk analysis, risk evaluation, and risk management alternatives, performed to understand the nature of unwanted, negative consequences to human life, health, property, or the environment; an analytical process to provide information regarding undesirable events; the process of quantification of the probabilities and expected consequences for identified risks" (2003: 5). The concept is not new and has been widely used for years in many different sectors. However, my personal experience suggests that risk assessment remains a prerogative of large businesses and multi-layered organisations with significant capability to develop security or safety policy. On the other hand, a lot of small to medium sized businesses that account for considerable total of security firms in Australia neglect this technique, considering it unnecessary bureaucratic formality in micro management. Contrary to this assumption, systematic risk assessment is a powerful program management tool which dramatically increases the efficacy of security organisations and their success rates in handling vast variety of risks and treats. Security Risk Assessment is a widely applicable tool in security management. "This guideline is applicable in any environment where people and/or assets are at risk for a security related incident or event that may result in human death, injury, or loss of an asset" (ASIS International 2003: 3). First of all, it helps to make set of educated assumptions about a specific threat. It does not have to be an extensive quantitative research. Any kind of systematic evaluation of security risk will create few paradigms that may serve well in establishing, mitigating and possibly eliminating altogether security risk. Wide variety of risk assessment techniques is currently available. I personally recommend General Security Risk Assessment Guidelines by ASIS International (2003). The authors of this seven step risk assessment template strive "to provide a methodology for security professionals by which security risks at a specific location can be identified and communicated, along with appropriate solutions" (ASIS International 2003: 3). This methodology offers simple and cost effective way in carrying out risk assessment and in developing a strategy to mitigate risk. It is so simple and flexible in its use that virtually any kind of security threat can be carefully evaluated. Security risk assessment enables for development of systematic strategy based on facts and tactical data. Speaking from my personal experience, we have used this methodology for 4 years and have never experienced notable failures in our operations. Moreover, risk assessment assisted our organisation to mitigate or eliminate security and safety risks to multitude of our clients ranging from private individuals to Government Authorities and MNCs. Last, this method helps us to cut costs for security operations in the long term, as it foresees potential expenditure and allows for cost benefit analysis in the initial planning stages. Hence, my advice to all security professionals is not to overlook security risk assessment and to embrace it actively in day to day operations. It is simple, effective and powerful way to make a big difference in standard of security services provided and success rate achieved.
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