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The Security Service, in partnership with the Home Office and the Cabinet Office, have updated existing protective security guidance for organisations with a duty of care for others.

This guidance, entitled 'Protecting Against Terrorism' has been published in response to requests from businesses to have a hard copy version of the guidance on the website.

To help you get the gist of the information, Tensor has produced the following top ten protective security points, which summarise the guidance given in the booklet. Whether you are creating, reviewing, or updating your security plans, keep these key points in mind:

1. Carry out a risk assessment to decide on the threats you might be facing and their likelihood. Identify your vulnerabilities
2. If acquiring or extending premises, consider security at the planning stage. It will be cheaper and more effective than adding measures later
3. Make security awareness part of your organisation's culture and ensure security is represented at a senior level
4. Ensure good basic housekeeping throughout your premises. Keep public areas tidy and well-lit, remove unnecessary furniture and keep garden areas clear
5. Keep access points to a minimum and issue staff and visitors with passes. Where possible, do not allow unauthorised vehicles close to your building
6. Install appropriate physical measures such as locks, alarms, CCTV surveillance and lighting
7. Examine your mail-handling procedures, consider establishing a mailroom away from your main premises
8. When recruiting staff or hiring contractors, check identities and follow up references
9. Consider how best to protect your information and take proper IT security precautions. Examine your methods for disposing of confidential waste
10. Plan and test your business continuity plans, ensuring that you can continue to function without access to your main premises and IT systems.

Welcoming the publication of the new guidance, Home Office Minister Hazel Blears said:

"Government and business need to work in partnership to ensure that emergencies are avoided, and when they do happen we are well prepared to deal with the consequences. We know that protective security works."

"It is important for all businesses and organisations to plan for unforeseen events in order to deter potential attackers and mitigate the effects of attacks when they happen. This includes having an up to date business continuity plan that should ensure that staff are prepared and that the essential functions of business can survive a terrorist incident, natural disaster, or other disruption."