Alwinco: Security is an Interlinked System

Discover why security is more than fences and cameras; it's an interconnected system where every component impacts the whole. Using a vivid “ball of puzzles” analogy, this piece highlights the importance of SOPs, communication, and integrated management in creating effective, resilient security systems. A must-read for business leaders and security professionals committed to staying ahead of evolving threats.

1. PSIRA 2038881
Intellectual Property Notice – Alwinco
This document and its contents are intended solely for the recipient. All rights are fully protected.
No part of this publication, including text, images, reports, or assessments, may be copied, stored, resold, or shared by any means without prior written consent from Alwinco.
Unauthorized use, distribution, or modification of Alwinco’s assessment materials is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action. Page 1 of 3

Security is an Interlinked System
I had the incredible opportunity to be part of a groundbreaking meeting where ten innovative
business owners came together to shape the future of security. It was truly inspiring to witness
the extraordinary power of collaboration in action. My presentation centred around traditional
ideas of security. Security has long been associated with a bygone era, reminiscent of the 1990s
and the early 2000s. During this period, the concept was to utilise different components like
fences, cameras, and alarms, each functioning on their own.
To illustrate this, I presented two puzzle maps:
Flat Surface Puzzle Map: This represents how people typically perceive security. It’s like laying
out individual puzzle pieces on a flat surface. Fences, cameras, and other components are seen
as separate entities. Each piece is handled independently, such as assessing the fence security
without considering its connection to the rest of the system. This flat view fails to account for the
interaction between these elements and the overall security structure.

Image generated by ChatGPT


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PSIRA 2038881
Reference# 25/10/3114:38:49
Reasoning with crime is Futile. I remind myself daily: crime can’t be undone.
2025-10-3114:38:50

2. PSIRA 2038881
Intellectual Property Notice – Alwinco
This document and its contents are intended solely for the recipient. All rights are fully protected.
No part of this publication, including text, images, reports, or assessments, may be copied, stored, resold, or shared by any means without prior written consent from Alwinco.
Unauthorized use, distribution, or modification of Alwinco’s assessment materials is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action. Page 2 of 3
Ball of Puzzles: This illustrates the interconnected nature of security. Here, different examples,
such as surveillance (red), fence security (orange), access control (blue), communication
(green), maintenance (purple), management and SOPs (light blue), and training (yellow), are all
interlinked. If you remove one piece, the whole structure collapses. This model shows how every
component influences the others, emphasising that security should be seen as a cohesive,
interlocking system.

Image generated by ChatGPT
The ball analogy highlights why our security efforts have often failed. Without understanding
security as an interconnected system, we struggle with crime and evidence issues. SOPs and
management are crucial; they act as the glue holding everything together. For instance, a
constitutional court case confirmed the importance of SOPs, demonstrating that they are integral
to both instructions and the management system.
Effective security requires seamless communication and integration. Every device and element
must work together and feed into a central control or management system.
Take a moment to observe the ball and notice the vibrant colours. If you were to eliminate all
purple (maintenance), it would expose numerous vulnerabilities in your security, ultimately
weakening the entire security system. Imagine a situation where you lose two sections. Do you
understand the potential impact on your security in that scenario? That also includes colours
such as red, blue, green, and more.
The failure to recognise this comprehensive approach is why we often view security inadequately.
We need to stop thinking of security as isolated parts and start understanding it as an
interconnected, unified system.
Security is more than just a profession; it’s a commitment to staying one step ahead of evolving
threats. If you think security is expensive, try estimating the cost of ignorance.

3. PSIRA 2038881
Intellectual Property Notice – Alwinco
This document and its contents are intended solely for the recipient. All rights are fully protected.
No part of this publication, including text, images, reports, or assessments, may be copied, stored, resold, or shared by any means without prior written consent from Alwinco.
Unauthorized use, distribution, or modification of Alwinco’s assessment materials is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action. Page 3 of 3
If you would like to learn more on Security Risk Assessments and security in general, please visit
Alwinco's website.




Alwinco Team
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