Federal should closely follow security standards set forth by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to better protect their physical buildings, according to a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
Most federal agencies develop their own security measures for physical security, with the biggest challenge being properly allocating resources and assessing risks. The second most popular way is adopting the standards issued by the Interagency Security Committee (ISC). While these standards are based on leading security practices across the government, implementation of the standards varies from each agency, with only 11 of the 32 surveyed agencies using the standards for all aspects of their security policy.
“This report shows that some federal agencies have a decentralized approach to securing their facilities across the country,” said Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) in a statement. “Agencies that fail to follow ISC standards may be placing their facilities and occupants at risk. I urge DHS to better assert and expand its role as the provider of standardized security practices for federal agencies so these agencies can, in turn, manage resources and risk properly.”
During fiscal year 2010, federal executive branch agencies were responsible for protecting an estimated 370,000 non-military buildings and structures, with 9,000 of those buildings and structures are protected by the Federal Protective Service (FPS). The remainder of the buildings and structures are protected by some three dozen other federal executive branch agencies.
The GAO recommended the DHS reach out to federal agencies and promote ISC standards to improve risk assessment in physical security, and develop and disseminate guidance on management practices for resource allocation as a supplement to ISC’s existing physical security standards.
“Effective program management, including the use of management practices such as risk management strategies and a centralized management structure, can help make the most effective use of limited resources,” according to the report.
