Project Background
In response to escalating concerns over security risk management and operational costs at remote Grid Stations sites, a National Electricity Transmission Company enlisted Gulf Security Services (GSS) to spearhead a pilot project. This initiative, encompassing design, tender, and implementation support services for eight sites, paved the way for GSS to secure an extended contract, deploying a dedicated team of consultants and engineers embedded full-time within the client's organization.
Project Approach
Collaborating closely with the client, the GSS team undertook a comprehensive approach, addressing diverse aspects:
- Asset Protection Programme: Commencing with the successful pilot project for eight sites, a phased program unfolded, covering an additional fifty sites. GSS designed the systems, facilitated tendering processes, and supervised contractors during implementation
- Price Control and Budget Forecasts: Leveraging extensive experience with national audit authorities, GSS generated detailed cost estimates for all Security Department projects, submitting them to the national energy regulator.
- Security Design Guidelines: Essential guidelines were crafted for use by the projects department and external contractors, ensuring that security considerations were ingrained in the design of all Grid Station sites and other operational locations.
- Policies and Procedures: Fundamental to a robust security strategy, GSS produced a suite of documents covering security management, operational security, systems, and incident management.
- Security Training and Awareness Programmes: Drawing on real-world experience, GSS developed a robust security awareness program, offering instruction on areas such as personal security and staff interaction with newly installed security systems. Specific training was tailored for the security department, covering subjects from control room operations to security incident response and system design.
- Mentoring and Development: During the department's expansion, GSS played a pivotal role in the recruitment process, creating accurate job descriptions and participating in candidate interviews. Successful candidates underwent a personal development and mentoring program, ensuring effective knowledge transfer and supporting continuous professional development.
Project Outcome
Over a three-year period, the Security Department experienced sustainable growth, with staff numbers tripling. A cutting-edge control room centralized monitoring and control of remote site security systems. Innovative training and awareness programs, supported by GSS, fostered a security-conscious culture within the organization. The Security Department's long-term budget gained board-level approval, affirming robust security risk management in a cost-efficient manner. Moreover, a substantial seven-figure sum, secured through a cost recovery mechanism, was successfully obtained from the national regulator to fund the integrated security system installation program at over one hundred assets.