Threats of Workplace Violence at Top of Security Concerns

"Last year we conducted a survey asking our readers what risks they were most concerned about. And, nearly half (49 percent) of you responded that workplace violence topped the list.

“With the domestic issues we have in this country, both economically and financially, concerns about workplace violence far outweighs and is more prevalent than threats of terrorism,” John Dowd, senior account manager for Kratos Defense and Security Solutions, told SDN. 

Well, workplace violence has once again topped the news this week after a man in Albuquerque, N.M. forced his way into a manufacturing plant where his (ex)girlfriend worked, killed two employees and then himself. Four other employees were also wounded in the attack. 

The Associate Press reported that it is still unknown how the shooter got past security at Emcore Corp., but his first victim was a person who confronted him on the way into the facility. 

Then he went through the building firing shots at several employees and leaving behind a gruesome scene of blood and shell casings across the company headquarters. Responding officers had to step past several victims — one dead and several wounded — as they raced into the building to stop the gunman. 

This is certainly one of those events that would be difficult to protect against, regardless of how solid a company’s access control and security program. Plus, the gunman is reportedly a former employee, so it’s assumed he knew the campus and facility well.

So what are companies to do? How can you possibly protect against someone so bent on harming others? …"

Excerpt from Do Threats of Workplace Violence Still Top your Security Concerns
From "Security Director News" Blog in Editor's Notes
Thursday, July 15, 2010