How to use itWalk the site with the facility manager once a year and after any serious incident. Rate each area and create an action list.
Who uses itFacility managers, security leads or a consultant
WhenYearly and after any serious incident
Time neededHalf a day to a day, including a night walk
Keep itAssessment file with last year’s actions
When you need the facility security assessment checklist
A security assessment looks at the whole picture rather than daily tasks. It finds gaps in fences, procedures or training before someone else does.
For high-risk sites, use a qualified security consultant.
14 items. Keep it on a tablet, or print a copy for the clipboard.
Perimeter
Access
Systems
People and response
Using the facility security assessment checklist well
Review last year’s actions first.
Walk the site by day and by night.
Rate each area: good, needs work, urgent.
Assign owners and dates.
Share a summary with leadership.
How one team uses it
A distribution center’s assessment finds that the rear gate is left open during shift change and two former employees still have active cards. The gate is added to the shift lead’s checklist, and card deactivation is added to offboarding.
What the facility security assessment checklist protects you from
Premises liability law in most states expects owners to take reasonable steps against foreseeable crime, and a dated assessment shows that was done. Insurers and some customer contracts also ask for evidence of access control.
Filled-in sample
Perimeter
Fence intact; hole near rail spur patched Oct 28
Lighting
2 lot poles out at north end, ticket opened
Landscaping
Shrubs at side door cut below 3 ft
After-hours access
Badge only; dock doors closed by 10 pm
Card review
61 active cards, 2 leavers disabled
Alarms
Tested with monitoring center, 3 zones ok
Last assessment actions
4 of 5 closed; gate 2 camera pending
Cascade Fulfillment, a warehouse in Spokane, carries one open item from last time instead of resetting the list. The shrub height shows a CPTED-style fix that cost almost nothing.
What trips people up
Assessing only during the day. Lighting, gates and cameras behave differently at night; walk the perimeter after dark.
Treating every finding as urgent. Rate each one, so the budget goes to the gaps that matter most.
Skipping a check of how staff actually follow procedures. Watch a shift change and delivery to see if rules work in practice.
Make the facility security assessment checklist fit your setup
Small officesFocus on entrances, keys, alarms and visitor sign-in, and combine with the office safety walk.
Manufacturing plantsAdd chemical storage, utility access points and contractor control during maintenance shutdowns.
Quick winTry to enter the building as a visitor would, without a badge, with the manager’s agreement. The real weak spots appear quickly.
CPTED stands for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. It uses natural surveillance, clear access control, defined boundaries and good maintenance to discourage crime. Trimming shrubs near doors and lighting walkways are typical CPTED fixes.
How do I prioritize findings from a security assessment?
Rate each finding by how likely it is to be exploited and how bad the result would be. Fix cheap, high-impact items first, such as disabling leaver badges or closing a gate at shift change. Put expensive items, like new fencing, into the budget with a target date.
Disclaimer: This template is general information to adapt to your own workplace. It is not legal, safety or compliance advice and does not replace inspections, training or requirements set by law, regulators, manufacturers or your insurer. Check the rules that apply to you with a qualified professional.
