Sentinel Consulting, a full-service security consulting firm, has announced the launch of its new service offering for technology lifecycle standards: Security Standards.

According to the company, this dedicated program helps clients develop robust standards for the lifecycle management of security technology, thereby reducing costs, increasing efficiency and avoiding litigation.

Security Standards create a roadmap for companies to follow as they implement, maintain and update technology-driven security solutions.

They play a critical role in helping security professionals overcome many common obstacles that interfere with sound decision-making and program execution, including:

• Misaligned departments and stakeholders driving security initiatives
• Lack of direction, support and funding from management
• Unclear metrics for performance and quality control
• Litigation exposure from program inconsistencies

The importance of lifecycle standards

Sentinel says that its Security Standards engage stakeholders in defining and documenting the steps needed to ensure the consistent quality, reliability and compliance of their security technology.

They are predicated on each client’s specific environment and resources.

Once complete, the lifecycle standards become a go-to resource that directs stakeholders on how to evaluate security solutions through a strategic lens, share and distribute responsibilities based on individuals’ roles and expertise, and streamline system implementation.

The process begins with a client self-assessment, made possible by a free online tool on Sentinel’s website.

The interactive questionnaire predicts the ease with which a company’s future security projects will deliver against its security objectives.

From the survey’s instantaneous results, clients can then determine the degree to which they need assistance refining and expanding their existing documented standards or creating them from scratch.

Easily understandable

President of Sentinel Consulting, Paul Benne, PSP, CPOI, explained: “The most expensive security projects are the ones that fail to perform as intended.

“Their costs include money spent on the wrong technology, harm to people and assets that occur as a result and the expense of litigation.

“Well-crafted security standards make those things of the past, thereby delivering a tremendous return on investment.

“Our team at Sentinel is highly skilled at writing standards that are comprehensive and attainable and we are pleased to now offer this service as a straightforward, stand-alone option.”

Sentinel’s Security Standards program, which is available in three tiers, basic, advanced and premium, takes approximately six weeks to complete.