Assessment of Security Practices and Challenges in a Higher Education Institution in Dagupan City: Towards a Strengthened Security Manual

This research aimed to rigorously evaluate the safety and security framework within a Higher Education Institution (HEI) in Dagupan City, Philippines. The study's core purpose was to generate empirical data to inform and validate necessary enhancements to the institution's existing security manual. Employing a descriptive quantitative research design and utilizing a survey method, the study systematically assessed key security dimensions: the level of awareness among stakeholders, the extent of institutional implementation, the perceived effectiveness of practices, and the seriousness of associated challenges. The assessment spanned three critical security domains: Physical, Personnel, and Information/Document Security. The diverse and comprehensive study population included security personnel, general employees, parents, and students. The findings indicate a remarkably positive and robust perception of the university's safety environment. Stakeholders consistently reported that security practices across all three assessed domains were "Very Implemented" and were perceived as highly effective. Awareness levels regarding these measures were also found to be uniformly high across the campus community. Furthermore, the challenges encountered during the implementation of these practices were not considered serious impediments, registering an overall median rating of "Slightly Serious" (SS). However, the analysis identified one significant, statistically-backed divergence: a distinct perceptual gap among different stakeholder groups regarding the effectiveness of Information and Document Security measures. This research confirms the HEI's strong overall security posture but highlights the specific need to address the inconsistency in the perceived efficacy of its information security protocols across its community.