Security and risk consulting has become an essential service for organisations across Australia. With rising expectations for safety, compliance, and operational resilience, businesses, government agencies, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and event organisers are increasingly seeking specialist guidance to prevent incidents and improve decision-making. A structured approach to risk helps organisations identify threats early, reduce their impact, and build confidence in daily operations as well as long-term planning.
This article explains what security and risk consulting entails, how ISO 31000 guides the process, who benefits from it, and how services such as risk assessments, physical security audits, CPTED analysis, and Hostile Vehicle Mitigation support safer and stronger organisations.
What Security and Risk Consulting Involves
Security and risk consulting is the professional practice of assessing threats, analysing vulnerabilities, and developing tailored strategies to protect people, assets, information, and operations. Consultants work independently of installers or guarding companies, which ensures advice is based on risk rather than product sales.
A high-quality consultant will help an organisation:
- Understand its internal and external risk environment
- Identify gaps in physical, operational, or technological security controls
- Determine which measures are proportionate and effective
- Improve safety culture and incident response capability
- Meet Australian standards, regulatory requirements, and insurer expectations
- Prioritise investment based on real risk exposure
Security and risk consulting is not just about preventing major incidents. It also helps organisations reduce everyday operational disruptions, improve customer experience, strengthen governance, and ensure staff feel confident performing their roles.
ISO 31000: The Foundation of Good Risk Management
ISO 31000:2018 is the international standard for risk management and forms the backbone of modern security and risk consulting. It provides a consistent, structured, and transparent approach for assessing and treating risk.
ISO 31000 emphasises:
- Understanding the context of the organisation
- Identifying risks systematically
- Assessing likelihood and consequence
- Reviewing existing controls
- Prioritising treatments
- Monitoring and reviewing outcomes
The goal is to ensure decisions are informed, defensible, and aligned with organisational objectives. When a consultant delivers work to ISO 31000, organisations gain a repeatable method they can apply to future risks, rather than a one-off document.
For many sectors in Western Australia, including healthcare, councils, utilities, and major precincts, working to ISO 31000 is now considered best practice and is often expected by insurers or stakeholders.
Who Can Benefit from Security and Risk Consulting?
Security and risk consulting is valuable to a wide range of organisations, no matter their size or complexity. In Perth, common clients include:
- Local government authorities
- Commercial and retail precincts
- Healthcare facilities and hospitals
- Education providers and universities
- Construction and development projects
- Aged care and community service providers
- Industrial and logistics sites
- Event organisers and venue operators
- Corporate offices and service-based businesses
These organisations often face ongoing challenges such as antisocial behaviour, after-hours vulnerabilities, regulatory requirements, staff safety concerns, and public expectations around security. A consultant helps them understand their actual risk exposure and provides a roadmap for improvement.
Core Services in Security and Risk Consulting
Security and risk consulting comprises several specialised services. The most common and valuable ones include risk assessments, physical security assessments, CPTED analysis, and Hostile Vehicle Mitigation advice. Each serves a different purpose but works together to build a holistic understanding of risk.
Security Risk Assessments
A security risk assessment is a structured analysis of threats, vulnerabilities, and consequences across a site or organisation. It typically includes stakeholder interviews, review of crime or incident data, on-site inspections, assessment of current security measures, and development of a detailed risk register.
Typical risk categories include:
- Unauthorised access
- Theft or damage to assets
- Violence or aggression toward staff
- Operational or procedural gaps
- Environmental factors such as lighting or isolation
- Technological vulnerabilities such as CCTV blind spots
- Emergency response capability
A high-quality risk assessment does not just identify issues. It provides clear, prioritised recommendations that match the organisation’s budget, operational reality, and risk appetite.
Physical Security Assessments
A physical security assessment focuses specifically on the protective measures in place across buildings or outdoor areas. This includes the performance and placement of:
- CCTV systems
- Access control and door hardware
- Intruder detection systems
- Bollards and perimeter structures
- Lighting
- Signage
- Physical barriers
- Duress systems
The assessment determines whether these measures are adequate, up to standard, and aligned with best practice. Importantly, an independent consultant provides unbiased advice because they do not sell equipment or installation services.
CPTED Assessments
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a key discipline in the security industry. CPTED assessments examine how a site’s design, landscaping, lighting, and movement patterns influence behaviour. The goal is to reduce crime opportunities and improve natural surveillance.
CPTED focuses on:
- Natural surveillance
- Access control
- Territorial reinforcement
- Lighting and visibility
- Activity support
- Maintenance and management
Councils, developers, and architects frequently require CPTED assessments before approving new buildings, park upgrades, or public realm improvements. They provide design insight that improves safety without relying solely on security guards or technology.
Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM)
HVM is increasingly important for crowded places, events, foreshore areas, and major public precincts. It aims to protect people from vehicle-based threats, whether intentional or accidental.
- Traffic environments
- Vehicle approach speeds
- Crowd congregation points
- Existing physical structures
- Placement of temporary or permanent barriers
- How HVM integrates with traffic management and emergency access
HVM does not always require expensive infrastructure. Often, simple, tailored solutions provide meaningful protection and help councils or event organisers meet duty-of-care requirements.
Why Security and Risk Consulting Matters
Security and risk consulting provides tangible benefits for organisations. These include:
- Reduced incidents and disruptions
- Improved safety for staff, clients and visitors
- Stronger governance and compliance
- Lower insurance exposure
- Better emergency preparedness
- Clear documentation for decision-makers
- Improved public confidence
- Long-term cost savings through targeted investment
In many cases, organisations know there are issues but do not know where to start. A consultant gives them clarity, direction, and a defensible basis for making decisions.
How Smartsec Security Solutions Can Support You
Smartsec Security Solutions provides independent security and risk consulting across Perth and Western Australia. With more than 17 years of experience in security risk management, physical security design, and CPTED, we specialise in providing clear, practical advice without selling equipment or ongoing guarding services.
We help organisations by delivering:
- ISO 31000-aligned security risk assessments
- Detailed physical security audits
- CPTED assessments for parks, buildings, laneways and developments
- Hostile Vehicle Mitigation advice for public events and precincts
- Security technology recommendations
- Clear, prioritised action plans
- Support for council approvals, grant applications and procurement
Our approach is unbiased, defensible, and tailored to each client’s operational environment. Whether you manage a public space, commercial site, healthcare facility, or upcoming event, we can help you understand your risks and implement meaningful, achievable solutions.
Final Thoughts
Security and risk consulting is no longer optional. It is a critical component of organisational resilience and public safety. When delivered properly, it provides clarity, reduces uncertainty, and equips leaders with the information they need to protect their sites, people, and operations.
If you would like expert support with security and risk consulting in Perth, we would be glad to help. Please get in touch through the Smartsec Security Solutions Contact page.
