Security Measures and Security

Security Measures

The hotel industry has experienced the need to enhance security of guests in the recent past given the increased security threats/attacks in the modern business environment. The increased focus on enhancing security in the hotel industry has represented a major shift from the serious neglect of various security responsibilities that characterized this industry in the past. According to Fischer, Halibozek & Walters (2013), hotel managers, particularly security managers, are faced with the need to enhance their security measures because of the numerous safety concerns in this sector such as potential terrorist attacks. In light of modern security concerns, there is need to adopt a comprehensive approach towards improving hotel security. This paper provides a plan for improving hotel security during ground breaking, grand opening, and across daily operations. The discussion is based on plans to construct the newly approved John Jay Hotel on 59th Street in New York City.

Security Plan for Construction of John Jay Hotel

The planned development of John Jay Hotel on 59th Street in New York City is an exciting business venture that could become profitable given the ideal location of the hotel. Despite being an exciting business venture, the approved plan for construction of John Jay Hotel generates some security issues/concerns that must be addressed using a comprehensive security plan. Since the hotel is yet to be constructed, the comprehensive security plan should be a blueprint for the hotel's security from its construction to its daily operations. In addition, the security plan will be based on the common security risks to businesses in the hospitality industry in 59th Street in New York City. In this regard, this security plan will focus on three major phases i.e. ground breaking, grand opening, and daily operations of John Jay Hotel. Additionally, the security plan is designed to enhance the safety and security of the hotel's employees and guests through lessening security risks or threats. The security measures for the various stages of the development and operations of this hotel will be as follows . . .

Ground Breaking

In most cases, security measures are usually relaxed during the ground breaking stage of a new business or property. However, the ground breaking stage should act as the foundational phase for the development and implementation of security measures in order to prevent future issues. Security measures during the ground breaking phase will commence with an asset assessment and risk analysis. Under asset assessment, the assets to be protected will be identified while the risk analysis will entail identifying probable security risks that could hinder the effective operations and profitability of the hotel. The security manager will conduct a security survey to identify potential security risks to the assets that need to be protected. The security survey process will also be carried out to identify risks, determine their criticality and financial impacts, and identify security countermeasures to deal with the security risks/threats (Fischer, Halibozek & Walters, 2013).

In light of the identified assets and security risks, the first security measure during the ground breaking phase of the hotel's construction is ensuring the strength and safety of the outside perimeter. Generally, most construction sites need perimeter fence as part of the layout plan and first line of security (Bennett, 2007). In this regard, providing security during the construction phase involves a layout plan for perimeter fence. The significance of perimeter plan in enhancing security is attributable to the fact that a perimeter plan offers security to constructors. Therefore, the first security measure during the ground breaking phase of John Jay Hotel will involve constructing a strong perimeter fence that will act as a structural barrier against unauthorized individuals. The perimeter fence will help prevent criminally-minded people from obtaining access or taking pictures of the construction site, progress, and various segments of the building. Additionally, the perimeter fence will help enhance the security of constructors by providing round-the-clock security during the ground breaking phase.

Secondly, during the ground breaking phase, the credentials of individuals working on the site will be checked to ensure their suitability in constructing the hotel. These checks will be conducted regardless of the position of the individual such as project manager, chief contractor, and cement layer. Additionally, the hotel's management will be required to have periodic badges and company references when they visit the construction site. These badges and references will be utilized as measures to control access to the construction site and ensure that those who visit the site are authorized personnel. This will be a crucial security measure towards preventing unauthorized access to the construction site. Moreover, the various constructors will be required to have identification badges that would help control access to the site and access by any unauthorized personnel who could be a security risk. These badges will be utilized to control and supervise entry to the construction site (Fischer, Halibozek & Walters, 2013).

Grand Opening

Apart from ensuring security during the ground breaking phase, the other important phase towards enhance the safety of the hotel is the grand opening stage. This phase of construction requires adequate security because of the various kinds of guests that will attend the event. Moreover, the need to ensure security during the grand opening phase is also attributable to the fact that without adequate security, criminals are likely to access the hotel and cause security threats in the future. Therefore, grand opening security is essential towards protecting the safety of guests who attend the opening ceremony and preventing unauthorized individuals/criminals from accessing the facility.

One of the security measures that will be utilized during grand opening is access control through which only authorized personnel will be allowed entry to the building. According to Fischer, Halibozek & Walters (2013), access control is an important step towards physical security planning since it involves limiting or deterring access to a building/facility. In this case, a list of expected guests will be drafted and their personal information obtained before the grand opening day. During the grand opening ceremony, the guests will be required to provide their details at the hotel's door/reception for confirmation. Guests will be allowed access or entry to the building once their details have been confirmed. Attendees whose personal details were not obtained before the grand opening will be allowed access once they have provided verifiable personal information. However, such access will be limited through controlling the number of guests who will be allowed entry to the hotel/building during grand breaking ceremony.

The second security measure during grand opening is conducting surveillance before and during the ceremony. This will require partnerships between the hotel's security and a contracted security firm to ensure that any potential security threat is addressed prior to the grand opening. The security personnel will conduct a security assessment of the building/hotel before the grand opening ceremony using various techniques including sniffer dogs. In addition, the relevant construction authorities will conduct an assessment of the safety of the hotel once its built and prior to the grand opening. During the grand opening, the security personnel will conduct ongoing surveillance to detect and avert/deal with any emerging security threat or risk. The ongoing surveillance during the grand opening ceremony will also help in identifying any suspicious activities by any guests or individual within the hotel. Security personnel will collect any relevant information that could be utilized to enhance the hotel's security and utilize it to develop and execute necessary security initiatives.

Day-to-Day Operations

Once the hotel has been officially opened, its crucial to ensure the safety of guests and security in the day-to-day operations. This is primarily because security of the hotel's daily operations and safety of guests is crucial towards successful and profitable operations. The first security measure that will be utilized in the day-to-day operations of the hotel is protection against intrusion. This will entail creating a comprehensive security protocol that will govern the activities of security personnel as well as the activities of the other internal stakeholders of the hotel. The protocol includes a plan for perimeter protection, limiting the number of perimeter and facility openings through the use of safety codes, protecting the points of access/entry to the hotel, installation of protective lighting, and using alarm systems on all doors including those for emergency use. The other measures include installing high-quality locks linked to smart technology and restricting access to certain areas of the hotel to employee and management (Fischer, Halibozek & Walters, 2013).

The second security measure will entail using several access control techniques such as metal detectors to frisk visitors and providing access control cards to the hotel's guests. In addition, the hotel's employees will be provided with electronic identification systems that will be utilized to grant them access to the various segments of the hotel. The electronic identification systems will contain specific security codes that will be utilized to limit or control access to the hotel. The hotel and security management will train staff and contractors in controlling distribution of room key and limiting access to registered guests/visitors only (Heibutzki, n.d.). In addition, security personnel at the hotel will be stationed at all major access points or areas to deter any unnecessary or disruptive non-guests. The security personnel at the hotel's major access points will also screen hand baggage using metal detectors and routine searching (National Counter Terrorism Security Office, n.d.).