Tan Kin Lian's Blog: Wasteful security measures

Friday, March 05, 2010

Wasteful security measures

To visit an office in Suntec City, I had to register with the security counter to get an access card and to fill in my particulars. On leaving the building, I had to return the access card. Both activity took me an additional 20 minutes, including time waiting in the long queue. I had to carry two bags containing materials for my talk, so the security measures and waiting time is a big hassle. Nobody bother to look at the contents of my bag - to see if I was carrying a bomb.

Security is important, but are we overdoing it? Is there more effective ways to have security instead of asking visitors to spend a lot of time unnecessarily? All these hassles add to wasted time and higher cost of doing business. If there is a terrorist visiting any large office in Singapore, it is easy to bypass the security measures as the security guards are too busy doing paperwork and recording particulars of genuine visitors.

To be effective, it is better to employ more security guards (i.e. create more employment) to watch the strategic locations, such as lift lobbies or lift cars, and to watch people moving around the office. Security is watching people and not doing paperwork.

You can multiply the wasted time in all of the big office buildings in Singapore to get an idea of the scale of wastefulness. Anyway, Singapore is a wasteful society. We spend a lot of time and money on things that are look good but are not effective.

To be productive, we should be adopting practical measures that reduce our cost and achieve our goals. We have to cut down wastefulness.

Tan Kin Lian

11 comments:

Anonymous said...: I 100% agree with your observation "look good but are not effective".

This is called wayang.

No amount of paperwork is going to prevent an attack.; March 05, 2010 2:11 PM
Anonymous said...: So potential bombers for suntec need to set their timers at least 20 min longer, in order to cater to the signing-in at the security counter. ha ha. Uniquely Singapore.; March 05, 2010 2:30 PM
Anonymous said...: It is not for security as you and I would define.

It is to account for your presence in the building or facility.

The purpose is to know who entered the building. They may ask what is the purpose of your visit, but it is perfunctionary.No one listens or understand.; March 05, 2010 2:39 PM
Anonymous said...: Dear Mr Tan
I could not agree with you more.

The "security" measures you described are obviously just for "show." Just like our new "productivity" campaign.

Penny wise, pound foolish.

Another example.

There are many Singaporean IT project managers in their late 40's. Lots of experience in anticipating problems and managing subordinates, peers and senior managers to deliver IT projects on-time and under budget.

But do they get hired? No!

The Singaporean belief is that an IT project manager is just a coordinator. So a fresh IT graduate with maybe 3 years of experience can do the job.

Just quietly ask your contacts in the local banks. Ask how many IT projects have been delayed for years! Budget over-runs and etc.; March 05, 2010 3:34 PM
Anonymous said...: Dear Mr. Tan

It is common in many industries in Spore the management has very little knowledge in what the company is doing but has the authority over the more experienced staff under them in making decision for daily operation. This management thought that by listening to a presentation/ or report by either the staff or the consultants, it is already good enough for them to make the decision after adding their 'comments'. Most of the time, the key point has been missed and to the naked eyes, the resultant operation becomes a joke and not practical to be administrated. It's always worse in government related organisations where scholars occupy the senior management level.

In short, what you've encountered may not be the original security plan but a 'modified' system from someone on the top of the management team. This 'added value' solution has in fact compromised the objective of security. This is just too common in today's Spore market.; March 05, 2010 5:34 PM
Tan Kin Lian said...: When I visit Jakarta, I had to go through security check at major offices and shopping malls. They used metal detectors and also checked bags for explosives. They do not bother to take down particulars of visitors.

The security measures in Jakarta seemed to be more appropriate, i.e. focus on the real threat, rather than on paperwork.

Jakarta faced the real risk of terrorism, as several places had been bombed in recent years. Yet, their measures give less hassle to the visitors.

Singapore has a habit of overdoing things, that are not practical. It is time to review our security measures.; March 05, 2010 7:40 PM
Anonymous said...: They thinking of killing two birds with one stone. Contact tracing should bird flu strike. Not focus but a lot of wayang. Like they said " Busy doing nothing "; March 05, 2010 8:54 PM
C H Yak said...: As usual - "ISO" style ...Paper Security, Paper Safety, Paper Qualifications, ... and finally Paper wastage.; March 06, 2010 12:08 AM
Anonymous said...: Wayang is a culture here in Singapore. The act of taking down particulars is just to assure American tenants in Suntec that there is security.

I think the biggest wayang of all is the road closure at Holland Village at 6pm. I can't see what a small metal barrier can do to enhance security.; March 06, 2010 12:23 AM
Anonymous said...: The whole problem lies with wanting to "show they do something about it."

This seems to be more important than whether desired outcome is achieved or the real purpose served. The act of doing is itself the achievement!

In fact most people listed on their resumes what they did, rather than the outcome of it. Or else the sheet can be quite blank!

I think maybe the same also applies to those u-no-hu million dollar earners! Hahahaha.; March 06, 2010 12:26 PM
Anonymous said...: Too many academically advanced ppl and scholars make the situaiton like this. Everything is plan on paper and carried out on paper. Effective or not is another matter. I really hope to see we have more ppl who are very good in their practical and real life skills and experience to serve us one day.; March 06, 2010 9:58 PM