A Protective Security Risk Assessment (PSRA) is the foundation of a well-governed and resilient organisation. It provides the structured, evidence-based understanding needed to identify vulnerabilities, assess threats, and implement proportionate measures to protect people, assets, and information.
Across Western Australia, local governments, universities, and infrastructure operators are increasingly expected to demonstrate that their security decisions are backed by formal risk assessments. A PSRA ensures that your protective security measures are defensible, cost-effective, and aligned with relevant Australian and international standards.
What Is a Protective Security Risk Assessment?
A Protective Security Risk Assessment evaluates how well an organisation’s physical, personnel, and information-related measures safeguard its critical assets. It provides a holistic view of protective security, integrating the key areas of:
- Physical security – protection of people, facilities, and equipment.
- Information security – control of sensitive or confidential information (both digital and physical).
- Personnel security – ensuring that individuals with access to critical systems and spaces are appropriately vetted, trained, and managed.
By reviewing these domains together, a PSRA helps decision-makers identify interdependencies and potential gaps — building a complete picture of the organisation’s risk posture.
Why Conduct a Protective Security Risk Assessment?
A PSRA is more than a compliance document — it’s a strategic tool that supports operational decision-making and continuous improvement.
- Compliance and governance
Many government agencies and critical industries are required to conduct security risk assessments in line with frameworks such as the Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF) and ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management. - Informed investment decisions
A structured assessment helps prioritise resources where they’ll deliver the greatest reduction in risk — avoiding both under-protection and unnecessary expenditure. - Audit and accountability
Documented findings and risk matrices demonstrate that security measures are evidence-based and can stand up to audit scrutiny. - Resilience and business continuity
By highlighting vulnerabilities and dependencies, a PSRA strengthens operational resilience and supports continuity planning.
The Process: How a PSRA Is Conducted
A thorough PSRA follows a logical sequence to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with ISO 31000:2018.
Establish the context
Define what’s being assessed — including scope, objectives, and boundaries. Identify the assets, functions, and people that need protection, as well as relevant stakeholders and risk criteria.
Identify threats
Consider potential sources of harm or disruption. These may include theft, vandalism, terrorism, insider threats, unauthorised access, or compromise of sensitive information. Contextual data — such as local crime trends or environmental factors — helps ground the assessment in reality.
Identify vulnerabilities
Assess weaknesses in existing systems, procedures, or culture that could be exploited. Examples include inadequate CCTV coverage, poor access control, lack of lighting, or weak personnel screening processes.
Evaluate risk
Each threat-vulnerability pair is assessed based on likelihood and consequence. This produces a prioritised list of risks that require treatment — allowing leadership to make informed, risk-based decisions.
Recommend treatment strategies
Recommendations should be proportionate and achievable. These might include system upgrades, procedural improvements, staff training, or governance enhancements.
Develop a Security Improvement Plan
The final step is translating recommendations into an actionable roadmap. This plan outlines short-, medium-, and long-term actions, assigns responsibility, and sets timelines for implementation.
How a PSRA Differs from a Standard Security Assessment
A Protective Security Risk Assessment goes beyond a traditional physical security review. Where a standard assessment might focus mainly on systems — like CCTV, alarms, and access control — a PSRA integrates people, processes, and governance into the equation.
It considers the organisation as a whole: its policies, culture, structure, and reliance on key personnel or information systems. This makes it particularly valuable for government agencies, educational institutions, and critical infrastructure operators who require assurance that their protective security measures are mature, coordinated, and defensible.
Alignment with Australian and International Standards
A credible PSRA aligns with multiple recognised frameworks to ensure consistency and compliance. These include:
- ISO 31000:2018 – Risk management principles and guidelines.
- ISO 22343-1:2023 – Protective security and hostile vehicle mitigation framework.
- Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF).
- AS/NZS ISO 45001 – Occupational health and safety management systems.
- AS 2201.2:2022 and AS 4806.1:2006 – Monitoring centre and CCTV standards.
Aligning with these frameworks ensures the assessment is auditable, defensible, and compatible with other enterprise risk management systems.
Deliverables from a PSRA
A well-developed Protective Security Risk Assessment delivers much more than a list of risks. It provides a structured, evidence-based foundation for all future security planning.
Key deliverables include:
- A detailed overview of the organisation’s current security posture.
- A prioritised list of security risks with likelihood and consequence ratings.
- Actionable recommendations across physical, personnel, and information domains.
- A security improvement plan with clear timelines and responsibilities.
- Supporting documentation such as site photos, assessment notes, and risk registers.
How Smartsec Security Solutions Supports Clients
At Smartsec Security Solutions, we specialise in delivering independent Protective Security Risk Assessments for government, education, and commercial clients across Western Australia.
Our methodology combines technical security knowledge, operational experience, and compliance alignment to deliver practical, defensible outcomes.
Our approach includes:
- Consultation with key stakeholders to define scope and objectives.
- Detailed site inspections and system reviews.
- Analysis of existing controls and identification of vulnerabilities.
- Risk evaluation using ISO 31000 methodology.
- Development of a prioritised improvement roadmap.
- Optional implementation support and follow-up reviews.
Because Smartsec is vendor-neutral, our advice is objective and focused solely on achieving the best result for our clients. We don’t sell or install equipment — we provide clear, actionable guidance that helps you invest with confidence.
Typical Projects and Clients
Our PSRAs support a range of sectors and environments, including:
- Local governments assessing community facilities, parks, and civic buildings.
- Universities and education providers seeking campus-wide protective security frameworks.
- Developers and property managers needing independent input into new or existing projects.
- Critical-infrastructure operators requiring compliance with state and federal guidelines.
Each assessment is tailored to the environment — balancing operational practicality with compliance and governance obligations.
Why Independent Expertise Matters
Security technology evolves quickly, but risk principles remain constant. Engaging an independent consultant ensures that security improvements are driven by evidence — not by sales targets or supplier preferences.
Independent assessments provide:
- Objectivity – recommendations based solely on your organisation’s needs.
- Compliance assurance – alignment with ISO and PSPF frameworks.
- Audit defensibility – professional documentation suitable for governance or regulatory review.
- Efficiency – prioritised investment that delivers measurable outcomes.
Taking the Next Step
If your organisation needs to strengthen its protective security posture or meet compliance obligations, Smartsec Security Solutions can help.
We deliver comprehensive, standards-aligned Protective Security Risk Assessments that identify gaps, prioritise actions, and support long-term resilience.
Contact [email protected] or visit www.smartsecsecurity.com.au to learn how we can support your organisation with independent, defensible security advice across Perth and Western Australia.
