In business security, people are both an asset and a liability. One of the most complex and impulsive components of business security is managing the staff. Without properly trained staff, any security equipment no matter how advanced is just a waste of money and is a source of greater risk.
The core problem is just a lack of training. People need guidance when you introduce new ideas and technologies into their work environment. And they need to understand the value that these systems. A structured training program is usually the best solution for achieving the best goals.
Here are 5 most important best practices you should follow when designing and running a training session. Applying these will help ensure that your organization gets the most value out of any new security system that you’ve spent a lot of time, effort, and money to implement.
1) Have a written agenda and stick to it
Always outline a training agenda that includes every topic that needs to be covered and the key details of each. Present your training agenda in the slide show for easier understanding and clarity. Confirm every key point has its own dedicated slide, even if it’s just a one or two-word title. These will act as a visual reminder for each essential topic that is essential.
2) Make it specific
It is essential that your training is specific to the kind of tools and technologies that your organization uses. Be to the point and also be transparent about past security challenges where you can. Staff is much more likely to retain the procedures you teach them when they understand the real-world impact it can have. For example, hearing the specific number of past thefts of business and personal electronics will make staff much more receptive to learning how to use a smart locker system.
3) But keep it high level
Build the training sessions around the fundamental security principles that are to the point and easy to follow. Teaching a lengthy to-do list that needs to be carried out consistently by memory is not ideal. Primary principles are easier for staff to remember, and are broad and flexible. So teaching the right rule like ‘protect the access’ could remind the staff to both be accountable for physical key security and not leave written passwords sitting on their desk.
4) Use practice scenarios
As the saying goes ‘practice makes everything perfect’ so, including practical experience scenarios in the training agenda is essential. Using real-life scenarios that the staff might encounter on the job, or recreating past security incidents that have occurred is important as it teaches the staff how to deal with such emergencies. Hands-on training helps the staff to understand the product better. For example, if you’re training staff on how to use a new key management system, have them practice signing out and returning keys, as well as using any custom applications or checklists that you’ve built into your access control panel. Also, add a QnA at the end, this will help to better the training system and gain insight into how the staff is being trained.
5) Lead by example
A solid security program requires more than just front-line staff to execute. Management and executive leadership also both need to take an active role in developing a security-first mindset. When front-line staff sees leadership taking ownership over the business’s safety, then they’re more likely to take part too.
Business and security are both constantly evolving, so you need to make sure that training is always up to date with the latest changes in the field.
