5 Ways That Your Business Can Benefit from Security Guard Services

Security consultants provide useful insight into identifying the risks that different businesses and organizations face as well as providing expert security advice and solutions to improve productivity, safety, and workflow in the workplace. Here is some insight into the benefits of security guard services as part of a comprehensive business security solution.

1. Improve customer service – Security guards can take an active role in assisting clients and customers visiting your business, providing professional assistance with directions and other queries. They can also assist disabled visitors, senior citizens and other visitors having difficulty moving through your premises, including moving people to the front of queues and so on.
2. Developing a robust security plan – Security guard services that are professionally trained by your security consultant can take an active role in securing your business and creating a safe and welcoming workplace. They are trained to give you security advice, help you develop and carry out security plans on your premises, including plans to prevent or act in the event of different types of criminal activity and disaster scenarios such as fires, active shooters, robbery, gas leaks, and unauthorized access. Once protocols have been developed, your security guard services can train your staff, give them security advice, inform them about the importance of workplace security and even run emergency preparedness drills.
3. Respond in the event of an emergency – Your security guards are your first line of response in the event of a workplace emergency, whether it is a robbery, fire or even a medical emergency. In addition to contacting and guiding emergency responders and law enforcement, they can provide first aid, and manage the emergency situation so that it doesn’t get worse.
4. Provide access control and surveillance – In addition to screening employees and visitors entering your premises and ensuring compliance with access control systems, security guard services can also actively assist in ensuring that access controlled areas within your premises are kept secure. By becoming familiar with your organization and its security systems, security guards will know what identification and security access is required for different spaces, as well as which employees have the correct level of clearance. This monitoring can be done physically as well as through video surveillance monitoring.
5. Be a visual crime deterrent – Security consultants can demonstrate that uniformed security guards who patrol and actively monitor your business are a very effective deterrent for criminal activity, preventing the majority of opportunistic and planned criminal activity. They can also act undercover and work in plain clothes to assist business owners and law enforcement in capturing criminals.

Finding quality security guard services means partnering with a security consultant who will take the time to understand your organization’s security needs, perform a comprehensive security audit, give you experience-based security advice and deliver highly-trained and effective security guards as part of a layered, customized security solution. 

When Should You Consider Upgrading Your Business Security Systems?

Security systems are an essential component to a well-run commercial building and, as with any system under facilities management, there comes a time when an upgrade is needed. Here are good reasons to call in a security expert to perform a comprehensive security audit and ensure your system is up to the challenges of today.

Modern security risks

The security risks that businesses faced 10 or 15 years ago are very different from the ones they face now, and older security systems simply weren’t designed to manage these risks. Security, whether it’s for homes or commercial organizations, is all about staying one step ahead of the criminals, so it’s important to upgrade to modern technology when possible. In fact, an outdated security system won’t just be less effective in the event of a breach, it also increases your risk of facing a breach by making your building a target.

Improved control and efficiency

A large part of facilities management is about efficiency – ensuring that a building’s systems are cost-effective and energy effective as well as running smoothly. Your security system is one part of your building, but modern technology has allowed facility managers to take greater control over security while delivering better results for tenants. Security audits show that older security systems are more likely to be overcome by criminals, whether it’s an access control system that is vulnerable to duplicated cards or hacking, security surveillance cameras that are low-quality or have blind spots, or building security systems that don’t have additional layers of security to cover vulnerable spots like server rooms, stock rooms or private areas.

With the help of a security expert, many elements of modern security systems can be integrated into a single building automation system that can easily be run from a central point. Access control, video surveillance and more can be monitored and controlled remotely through smart devices, allowing you to control locking mechanisms, monitor security and respond in the event of a breach or emergency from any point in the building.

Cost-efficiency benefits

Cost is one of the primary concerns raised when issues like security system upgrades are brought to the table, but the reality is that a state-of-the-art security system will bring long-term cost savings. It creates a safer work environment, attracting tenants and staff, it deters crime which costs companies severely each year, it improves productivity and, importantly, it usually results in significant cost savings in terms of building insurance and premiums. A professional security expert will perform a full security audit of your system to ensure that any old tech that is still usable is integrated into new systems, so it doesn’t necessarily mean a full overhaul of your existing system.

The key to ensuring you get the most benefit from a security systems upgrade is to ensure that you work with a reputable security expert who not only knows what the security industry has to offer and how to perform an extensive security audit but also understands your building an organization’s specific requirements. 

Why Hire a Security Consultant to Audit Your Co-Working Space?

Co-working spaces are a vibrant business market, providing flexible working space to remote workers in diverse industries where they can access the benefits of trendy and highly-functional office space at a fraction of the cost. However, this constant flow of different, unconnected people through space does open these offices up to certain security risks. A security consultant will be able to perform a comprehensive security audit and suggest appropriate electronic security systems that secure your space and clients without disrupting the environment.

Understand security threats in a free-movement office environment

Co-working spaces are unlike traditional offices in many ways, making a security audit essential. People working in the space are not necessarily working together and are likely strangers to one another, so identifying unauthorized access is challenging. People also change frequently – some work at the space on a permanent basis, others work flexibly on random days or use the space simply for client meetings, so not everyone in the space can easily be accounted for at a certain time or identified in connection with a particular client. In addition to office tech, many clients will bring their own pieces of tech, creating a risk of physical or data theft. Adequate security will also have to be provided during all hours your business is open (as many are open until late at night or even on a 24-hour basis), including secure parking.

Creating a balance between fun and security in a co-working space through a security consultant

Co-working spaces are in a competitive market and many of these businesses are born out of a desire to create high-end, creative and dynamic offices that are attractive, fun and quirky in addition to having the tech and infrastructure all office workers need. In order to attract clients, co-working spaces compete to offer the most flexibility and fun, from non-traditional office décor to entertainment spaces, coffee shops, and nap nooks – and the last thing you want is electronic security systems that lock up your space tighter than a military facility. It will be off-putting to your market, disrupt the atmosphere of your space and cost a lot to run – which is where a security consultant becomes valuable.

For a business like this with unique security risks and specific business goals, it’s essential to perform a full security audit to identify vulnerabilities and develop a tailored solution that not only protects your business but enhances it. This may include integrated electronic security systems like monitored alarm systems for exits and entrances, mobile access control or smart card access control systems, video surveillance, security guards and lighting for parking locations, lockable storage for clients as well as secure storage for any equipment whenever it is not in use.

With a proactive approach to security, co-working spaces are able to prevent security and safety issues and support your business in providing a safe, enjoyable and secure space to work. If you think you could benefit from a security audit, speak to a professional security consultant who can recommend high-quality, appropriate electronic security systems. 

4 Reasons Why Your Organisation Needs a Security Expert

Security is one area that has become a significant part of other organisational roles, from facilities managers and loss prevention managers to internal security risk management teams – so, would consulting with a security expert really help? Couldn’t you just do the security audit and upgrades yourself? Here’s some insight into why an outsider’s input is essential in this role.

1.  Access to specialised skills: Many security-related roles have many aspects to them – security risk management is just one facet. But hiring a security expert means hiring someone whose entire professional skillset is focused on this one, specific area. They have the time, experience and focus to advance their knowledge into security disciplines, technology and strategy that most organisations lack in-house. A security expert fills in any skill gaps that you may have in-house, especially when dealing with specialised or unique projects.
   
2. They’re independent: At the end of the day, each vendor is going to sell you on their product as the best possible solution to vulnerabilities exposed in your security audit. This makes it close to impossible to get a truly objective perspective – until you hire a security expert. They care about one thing – your organisation’s security risk management – and have no allegiances to anything except finding the best solution. 
3. Cost-efficiency: Hiring a security expert is one of the most cost-efficient ways of upgrading your business security systems. Often, security projects that are put out for bid without a security expert on board lack proper project specification and qualification criteria, leading to expensive shortfalls when new components are required to make the system properly address your security risk management needs. A security expert can perform a security audit that ensures a comprehensive brief, evaluate proposals and components with an unbiased eye, and manage your project and upgrades to ensure a professional, quality result. 
4. Effective use of resources: In-house facilities and security managers have a lot on their plates on a daily basis, and likely don’t have the time to manage a comprehensive security project. Hiring a security expert is an effective use of organisational resources, allowing in-house professionals to manage their tasks without the additional load of managing security risk analysis and security audits, security design, product selection, system implementation and training – all of which can take hundreds of hours. 

 Finding the right security expert to handle your organisation’s project is about connecting with a security risk management specialist who has the skills, experience and dedication to see a job through from start to finish.  

Security Expert Shares Tips for Female Business Travellers

Women traveling for business is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the travel industry – but research by the Global Business Travel Association showed that just 18% of corporate travel and business security policies address safety and security concerns specific to women. As a security expert and a leader in the business security industry, it’s vital to raise awareness of this industry and empower women with the knowledge to increase their safety while traveling for work.

Know the risks and be a hard target

As a female business traveler, the unfortunate reality is that you are at much higher risk than male counterparts – especially when traveling alone. Dangers include sexual harassment and sexual assault, kidnapping, destination-specific gender norms, muggings, and even gender-specific health risks. Security experts know that it’s important to be aware of these risks and actively take all the steps you can to manage risk effectively, including addressing concerns with their company, getting advice from a business security specialist, or taking steps to enhance personal safety.

Choosing a hotel room

One of the main concerns for female business travelers is the security of their hotel room. Business security experts recommend that you specify a room on the third floor or higher to prevent access from the outside, and to ensure that there are double locks on the internal doors. The hotel should also have 24-hour onsite security. Read up on the hotel options on online review boards to ensure you are aware of the location and security of the hotel, whether it’s foreign or domestic.

Research your destination

If you are unfamiliar with your destination, take some time to read up about it online, specifically focusing on safety and security in the area.  Security industry research advises that you get to know the local culture as it relates to women, hotspots for protest action and opportunistic crimes like muggings, no-go zones for tourists and safe modes of transportation.

Ensure your business provides registered, chauffeured ground transportation

Getting to and from business meetings and hotels is a challenge even in the best circumstances, but it carries additional risks for female business travelers, according to the security industry. Driving alone, late at night, through unfamiliar streets or to unfamiliar addresses is high-risk for personal security and should be avoided. Uber and other ride-sharing tech are incredibly useful and widespread throughout the world but still comes with security risks. If you do use these services, try to avoid traveling alone whenever possible and make sure that your driver and the car is the correct one according to the app.

Of course, as security experts know, there is only so much that female business travelers can do on their own to reduce these personal security risks – it is essential that companies and business security partners come together to develop effective policies to safeguard employees traveling for work purposes. There’s a lot more the security industry and private organizations can do.