Body language interpretation: Security Risk Assessment
It has been the subject of extensive debates and studies, focusing on how gestures, movements, posture, and facial expressions can either reinforce or contradict what a person says. Often, these subtle signals carry more weight than the spoken words. For a security risk assessor, interpreting body language is a crucial tool, but it goes beyond just reading people during site investigations; it extends to observing the “body language” of the property itself. This procedure applies to corporate buildings, estates, homes, shopping malls, hotels, and any other type of property. # Security Risk Assessment
We recently conducted an independent security risk assessment for an office park in Cape Town, focusing on the “body language” of the property, how its layout, access points, and daily activity patterns signal vulnerabilities to potential criminals. This perspective reveals risks that standard assessments often overlook and allows for practical measures to be recommended.
If you would like to learn more about our assessments or have specific topics you would like us to address, please email your suggestions to andre@alwinco.co.za. We will create and publish articles tailored to your interests on our website.
The condition of a property reveals a lot about its security.
Clues like overall maintenance, appearance, and the state of security components offer a clearer picture than words alone. Take, for example, an electrical fence; if it’s unkempt or broken, it signals that either there’s no budget for repairs or the owners aren’t concerned. A poorly repaired fence that’s been cut hints that someone has already breached the property, suggesting that security might not be a priority.
This is closely tied to the Broken Windows Theory.
It argues that neglecting repairs and upkeep attracts unwanted attention. Security risks go beyond the obvious; gardens and building conditions actively shape perception. Neglecting the property discourages outsiders from showing respect.
In public spaces like shopping malls, restaurants, or hotels, the state of the restrooms can offer insight into the overall management. Dirty, poorly maintained facilities without basic essentials like toilet paper or broken hand dryers and door locks paint a picture of neglect.
This lack of attention to detail creates a perception that there’s no budget for maintenance.
which can lead to the assumption that management is ineffective and security is not a priority.
When budgets are tight, the first areas to suffer are often security, maintenance, and cleaning. However, these decisions have broader consequences. Visitors and employees notice these small details, often unconsciously. They might casually comment on them, which can serve as valuable information for criminals who are always looking for potential weaknesses.
The “body language” of a property isn’t limited to its physical condition.
Routines like shift changes, employee movements, and general security awareness all provide clues. In some cases, companies have hired us to conduct penetration tests—where we assess a site’s security by attempting to breach it with permission. Even before we act, we evaluate the ease of access based on the property’s signals. These same indicators are what criminals look for when planning their attacks.
A seasoned criminal knows how to read the signs. They can easily determine whether an electric fence is operational or if security vehicles are actually patrolling. Underestimating a criminal is a mistake—these individuals use the very same signals from the property’s body language to exploit vulnerabilities.
The Broken Windows Theory,
First introduced by George L. Kelling and James Q. Wilson in 1982 and further explored in their 1996 book, Fixing Broken Windows, it highlights how seemingly minor issues in upkeep can lead to larger security problems.
Criminals don’t attack randomly—they watch and observe their targets, looking for the moment of greatest vulnerability. By paying attention to the body language of both people and properties, we can better assess risks and strengthen defenses before it’s too late.
Article written by Andre Mundell, Independent Security Risk Assessor at Alwinco. #Security Risk Assessment Alwinco.
Alwinco conducts security risk assessments throughout South Africa, with a significant presence in Gauteng (including Anlin, Braamfontein, Midrand, Rivonia, and Hatfield), as well as in Bloemfontein, La Lucia, and Hout Bay.
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