Physical security is no longer something building owners and managers can address only after an incident occurs. A recent U.S. Government Accountability Office review of security at VA medical facilities is a strong reminder that effective protection requires more than cameras, key cards, or a written security policy. It requires a practical, building-specific plan that helps protect people, property, and day-to-day operations.
For healthcare facilities, government buildings, campuses, and other public-facing properties, the most important question is not, “do we have security measures in place?”, but instead, “will our building and our security plan perform as intended when a real threat or emergency occurs?”
Security Planning Starts with Your Facility
GAO’s review of VA medical facilities found that approximately 74,700 crimes were reported at those sites during fiscal years 2024 and 2025. Most were nonviolent, but the scale of reported activity shows the range of issues that large, public-facing facilities must be prepared to manage.
Every building has a different risk profile. A hospital with busy emergency entrances has different needs than an administrative office, outpatient clinic, parking garage, research facility, or municipal building. The location, surrounding area, number of visitors, building layout, hours of operation, and services provided all influence the right security approach.
As an owner or facility manager, consider:
- Are visitors, employees, patients, vendors, and emergency responders able to enter and move through the facility safely?
- Which entrances, parking areas, loading zones, and exterior spaces may be most vulnerable?
- Are sensitive areas such as pharmacies, records storage, IT rooms, laboratories, or staff-only spaces properly protected?
- Could a security incident disrupt business operations, access to care, tenant activity, or your organization’s reputation?
- Have renovations, occupancy changes, or new uses created security gaps that did not exist before?
The answers can help shape a security strategy that is appropriate for your property instead of relying on a one-size-fits-all solution.
A Security Assessment Can Help You Prioritize
Building owners don’t have to solve every possible security concern at once. In fact, trying to address everything at once can lead to expensive upgrades that don’t meaningfully reduce the risks that matter most.
A professional physical security assessment helps identify where your resources will have the greatest impact. It can help you understand which concerns need immediate attention, which upgrades can be phased over time, and which issues can be addressed as part of planned maintenance, renovations, or capital improvements.
GAO’s findings also point to the importance of making sure security policies are actually carried out and that facilities track whether their measures are working. For owners and managers, that means revisiting security as the building changes, not treating it as a project that’s complete once equipment has been installed.
Build Security into Your Long-Term Facility Plan
Physical security is part of responsible facility management. It supports business continuity, protects occupants, and helps preserve the value and usability of the property.
For a new building or major renovation, involving a physical security engineer early can help avoid costly changes later. Security needs can be incorporated into the site plan, entrance design, parking layout, exterior envelope, structural systems, and interior circulation while there is still flexibility in the project.
For existing buildings, even a focused review can reveal opportunities to improve protection without disrupting operations or committing immediately to a large construction project.
We help facility owners and managers evaluate physical security needs through the lens of building performance. Our team’s capabilities include risk assessments, blast engineering, progressive-collapse analysis, and support for specialized protective infrastructure.
If you’re planning a renovation, evaluating a property, updating a capital plan, or looking for a clearer picture of your facility’s security vulnerabilities, we can help you move from general concerns to practical next steps. Contact us today!