What Type of Security Program Should You Set Up

 

Creating the most effective security program for your business can be a little trick especially if you do not have a huge security budget. There are a fair number of options you can choose from including:

• Stationary or Static Guards
  
• Site Patrol Guards
  
• Multi-Site Patrol Guards
  
• Bicycle Patrol Guards
  
• Loss Prevention Officers
  
• Personnel Escort Specialists
  
• VIP Bodyguards
  

  
   

• Alarm Systems
  
• Security Camera Systems
  
• Electronic Access Control Systems
  

You can of course use any one of these systems alone or in combination to create a tight security system. The key is to start with an effective site assessment done by your in-house security manager or by a contract security company looking into the past and current problems you have encountered in protecting your property as well your employees and customers while on your property.

If you have decided to work with a contract security company or company that installs alarm or camera systems have at least three different companies provide you with a detailed site assessment including information about how they would go about meeting these needs.

Consider all our options carefully. Should you use a security officer? Should you use a combination of physical security officers and alarm and camera systems? Or should you rely on an alarm or camera system that is monitored by the police or a alarm or camera monitoring company that would contact the police or other emergency services directly in the event of an emergency – eliminating the need for any security guards at all? All of these things are things you have to consider carefully.

Then before you sign any contracts make sure you do a diligent background check on the security company you are interested in. Asking probing questions not only about what type of security the company can provide but also how they treat people. Ask to speak with current clients. Ask about working conditions in the security agency. And also check with any employee labour standards boards or see if there are any employee grievances against the security company.

Guards who have to work long hours to just barely survive financially or work under sub-standard working conditions (Both of these things are more common than you might imagine.) are more prone to cause more problems than they solve.

There are many excellent security industry companies out there who have top flight people working for them – but you have to look. And while you naturally want to keep costs down don't always look for the lowest bidder.