Security Assessment Checklist for Jamaican Properties
A security assessment is the foundation of any effective protection strategy. Without a clear understanding of your vulnerabilities, you cannot allocate resources efficiently or design systems that address your actual risks. Whether you are securing a home in Mandeville, a retail shop in Ocho Rios, or a corporate campus in Kingston, a structured security assessment reveals gaps in your defences and provides a prioritised roadmap for improvement that maximises the impact of every dollar spent on security.
Perimeter and Exterior Assessment
Begin your assessment at the property boundary and work inward. Evaluate the condition and height of perimeter walls, fences, or hedges. Are there sections that are deteriorated, low enough to climb, or obscured by vegetation that provides cover for intruders approaching undetected? Check all gates for proper locking mechanisms and assess whether they could be forced open or lifted off their hinges. Inspect exterior lighting to ensure all approaches, parking areas, and entry points are well illuminated after dark. Dark spots are among the most exploitable vulnerabilities on any property in Jamaica. Review landscaping and remove or trim any trees, shrubs, or structures near the boundary that could be used as climbing aids. For electronic perimeter security, verify that beam detectors, electric fencing, and outdoor cameras are functioning correctly and covering the intended zones without blind spots or gaps.
Building Shell and Access Points
Survey every door, window, and opening in the building envelope. Exterior doors should be solid core or metal with quality deadbolts and reinforced strike plates that resist forced entry. Check that hinges are not exposed on the exterior where pins could be removed by an intruder. Windows should have secure latches and consider whether burglar bars, security film, or laminated glass is warranted for ground-floor and accessible windows. Evaluate all access control hardware including locks, card readers, keypads, and intercoms for proper operation and current firmware. Verify that emergency exits cannot be used for unauthorised entry and are equipped with alarm contacts. In Jamaica, pay special attention to louvre windows, jalousie frames, and rooftop access points such as hatches and air conditioning openings, which are frequently exploited entry points that many standard assessments overlook.
Electronic Systems and Procedures
Audit your electronic security systems including CCTV, alarm, access control, and fire detection thoroughly. Verify that all cameras are recording, NVR storage is adequate, and camera views cover critical areas without blind spots. Test your alarm system by triggering sensors in each zone and confirming proper panel response and monitoring station notification. Review access control logs for anomalies such as access attempts outside business hours or credentials that should have been revoked for former employees. Check that all system passwords have been changed from defaults and firmware is current. Beyond technology, evaluate your security procedures and personnel. Are security guards following their patrol routes and post orders consistently? Is there a documented incident response plan that staff have been trained on? Document your findings, assign risk ratings to each vulnerability, and create an action plan with timelines and responsible parties for each remediation item.
