The security wheel

Let’s begin with the easy bit: In order to turn properly, a wheel must be completely round. Up to this point there is no argument. But what happens if some of the spokes are longer than others? The wheel would not be completely round and would therefore not function properly.

Something similar happens with security management in a group or organisation. If the main security components are not developed at the same time, the overall security strategy can not be expected to work well. On this basis, you can sketch a so-called “security wheel”. you can use it to examine the way you manage security, and evaluate the extent to which security is integrated into a group of defenders’ work.

This evaluation can be done as a group. You can list a range of ideas about why particular parts of the wheel have not been sufficiently developed, and suggest lots of ways of solving these problems. When you have listed the possible solutions, you can get to work and choose the ones you want to use.

Once you have completed this evaluation of your security wheel, hold on to the result and the diagram. When you repeat the exercise in a few months’ time, you can then compare your old and new diagrams and see point by point if things have improved or not.

The components of the security wheel

Components of the security wheel

The security wheel has eight spokes, or components:

1. On-the-job experience - Practical accumulated knowledge of security and protection. Your point of departure and arrival.

2. Training - You can get security training on a course or through your own initiative during your daily work.

3. Awareness of and attitude towards security - Relates to whether each individual and the whole organisation really see protection and security as necessities and are prepared to work towards ensuring them.

4. Planning - Planning capacity for security and work. Planning for protection.

5. Assignment of responsibilities - Who is responsible for which aspects of security and protection? And in emergencies?

6. Degree of ownership of security rules / compliance - To what degree are people following the security rules and procedures?

7. Analysing and reacting to security incidents - To what degree are security incidents analysed? Does the organisation respond appropriately?

8. Evaluating security and protection management - If your daily work, as well as reactions to security incidents, are evaluated, this will contribute to individuals’ and the organisations’ knowledge and experience.

The security wheel and it's 8 component parts, or spokes

Now that you are more familiar with the components of the security wheel, try to construct a diagram adding more information. It could look something like this.

The security wheel is never perfect

Some of its parts are more developed than others. It is therefore more useful to examine the degree of development of each part.This way, you can identify which types of action you should prioritize to improve your protection and security. Each thin line going from the center outwards illustrates how developed this component of the wheel is.

Photocopy the wheel on paper or acetate and add color to the spaces between the spokes. This will illustrate the real shape of your group’s or organization’s wheel, and make it easier to see which parts are more - and less - developed.

If any of the wheel's 8 components fail, you will have to determine...

What the problems with this part of the wheel are... and what the solutions to these problems are.