Training

CPNI advice on face coverings

by Mark Rowe

Wearing a face covering, such as a face mask, due to the Covid-19 pandemic can have an impact, for those who are unfamiliar in doing so. Security staff, whether wearing a mask themselves or engaging with people who are wearing masks, have to ensure communications with others remains clear and understood and that the ability to identify suspicious activity is not hindered. That’s among the advice by the UK official CPNI (Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure).

As CPNI points out, it’s generally easier for people to correctly identify basic emotions (such as happy, sad) and mental states (such as, thoughtfulness, interest) when they see the whole face; and, deprived of some facial expressions, the intended meaning of the verbal communication can be lost. As CPNI says: “The ability to engage with people, in a polite and professional manner, will not only assist with the positive reputation of the organisation, but it also seeks to deter hostiles. A polite and probing conversation may resolve any suspicion that might be held, but the ability to do this whilst wearing a face covering could be challenging.”

Hence the CPNI offers tips for security managers to consider. Such as, that ‘words and tone of voice are important: with limited facial cues to read, how a person sounds, and what they say becomes more important’. Officers have to be ready for such questions from the public as ‘Why are you wearing that mask, do you have coronavirus?’

As eyes can give clues to someone’s emotions, officers should avoid wearing sunglasses, CPNI advises.

A theme of CPNI advice is to pay attention to the medium besides the content of messages; hence it suggests using social media platforms and website, posters and announcements, to explain that ‘it’s business as usual’, as are security procedures at a site, while working in line with social distancing.

Related guidance from CPNI covers guard force response during Covid-19, as far as the ‘return to normal’, again requiring ‘sustained communication’; and what to do to counter ‘hostile reconnaissance’.

See also free downloads of CPNI campaigns such as COVID-19 Workplace Actions.

Related News

  • Training

    Staff abroad threats

    by msecadm4921

    How well do European companies protect their employees from risks and threats when working abroad? That was the subject of a benchmarking…

  • Training

    SASIG date

    by Mark Rowe

    The insider threat is the subject for the SASIG spring event on Friday, May 8, hosted by BT in London EC1A. Briefly,…

  • Training

    Stay safe online campaign

    by Mark Rowe

    An official advertising ‘Cyber Streetwise’ campaign about online safety has launched. It includes on-street posters (pictured), website and online videos. With more…

Newsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay on top of security news and events.

© 2024 Professional Security Magazine. All rights reserved.

Website by MSEC Marketing