Management of security services in higher education

Case studies and cameos

The UK Value for Money Steering Group

Table of contents and introduction (read on-line)

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Case studies and cameos
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Introduction

Case studies
1.    Assessing security risks
2.    Developing a security strategy
3.    Training for security staff
4.    Balancing technology and other security measures
5.    Evaluating in-house and contracted-out security provision

Cameos
Security environment    (2.1)
Legislation, quality and standards    (2.2)
Insurance, assessment and management of security risks    (2.3)
Security strategy    (2.4)
Security management structures and links with other services    (2.5)
Raising awareness of crime, and crime prevention     (2.6)
Procurement    (2.7)
Staff training and development    (2.8)
Balancing technology with other security measures and resources    (2.9)
Funding and service performance    (2.10)

List of abbreviations

Introduction

As part of the study of security management in higher education by the UK Value for Money Steering Group, higher education institutions (HEIs) provided many instances of good practice, and examples of solutions to security problems. So that other institutions can learn from their experiences, these are presented here as a series of case studies and cameos. This is one of three outputs of the study. The National report (HEFCE 2002/30, June 2002) identifies the key management issues for governors, senior managers and heads of security in developing and reviewing security services, to ensure that they are effective and provide value for money. A Security toolchest and these Case studies and cameos contain practical guidance and ideas to help institutions identify and implement their own management solutions.

Case studies

The case studies focus on five key areas, and draw on the experiences of several institutions. Clearly there is no single correct approach. There are constraints on resources and management time, and often a successful outcome will depend on gaining the support of staff and students. However, the case studies - and the accompanying self-assessment questions - aim to highlight the issues, and to help institutions identify effective solutions.

Cameos

The cameos describe how individual institutions have approached specific problems in managing security. They are grouped under the 10 main elements discussed in the Security toolchest.