NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH BIG BROTHER AND FRIENDS
Neil Ricketts, Technical Director (Electronic Security) and Neil Barham, Operations Director (Manned Guarding), at security specialist, Trigion, explain how a people plus technical security approach brings a host of benefits.
Whether it’s dealing with the threat of a terrorist incident or making sure staff and guests can gain entry to buildings on a daily basis, the requirements for security services are many and varied. What should you look for when procuring services?
The cost of manned guarding is believed to be about £3.3 billion a year industry wide. That sort of figure is not sustainable, especially in an economy still recovering from recession. Companies are always going to need security services, but they need cost-effective ones.
Many security businesses supply either manned guarding or technological solutions, and in recent years a number of companies that had offered both, sold-off one side of the business to concentrate on a single aspect. That trend is now reversing as people recognise the benefit of a people plus technical security solution.
At Trigion, we have always seen the need to offer manned guarding, a technical solution or often a combination of the two. Having a friendly, or sometimes an unfriendly, face on-site will often be the best option for people, but by having the
two methods available together we can offer improved security in a cost- effective way, with a reliable round the clock service. “Big Brother is Watching You” said George Orwell, in his novel 1984, but maybe his human friends should be there too!
Every business we deal with – whether in construction, logistics, advertising and media, retail, shopping centres, the public sector, residential, or facilities management – has different requirements. When sourcing security you should always ensure you get a tailored solution and not an off-the-shelf package. Your contractor should spend time assessing your needs, including site visits, regular meetings and testing satisfaction levels.
Modern security services include static guarding, mobile patrol, keyholding, alarm response services, reception, concierge and technical security, including virtual off-site reception using CCTV to grant access remotely. But also we are finding the security requirement is moving into other areas such as switchboard, general administration duties and in the technical sector into high end requirements such as thermal cameras, video analytics, biometrics and digital HD IP systems. We have a dedicated security operations centre in our head office to co-ordinate these approaches and provide a range of virtual and remote assistance including site monitoring for both manned and unmanned locations.
The quality of staff is as important as the technology. Guards are often the first point of contact for visitors and so should receive training in people and communication skills, as well as security specific
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skills, ensuring they meet our customers’ expectations in terms of professionalism and care.
It is important to choose a reputable firm for your security and they should have relevant accreditations. For example Trigion has gained the Security Industry Authority (SIA) Approved Contractor Status and ISO 9001, the certified quality management system. Our manned guarding and electronic security systems are accredited to National Security Inspectorate (NSI) Gold Standard. The NSI is recognised as the leading certification body for the security and fire protection sectors in the UK and the Gold Standard holds the greatest perceived value across industry and the police, fire and rescue services and insurers.
If you manage a high-risk site you should ensure your security contractor has undertaken specialist training. The Metropolitan Police runs Project Griffin anti-terrorist workshops that provide an insight into attack planning, radicalisation processes and those organisations who are likely to be responsible for terrorist incidents. Trigion’s security officers and management undertake this training giving them the essential knowledge required to spot potential threats and mitigate them.
Modern security is about much more than someone in a uniform sitting behind a desk. When choosing your security contractor you should always look for a bespoke service, which offers you a mix of people plus technical security. That way you will ensure you are getting the best security solution for your needs at a sensible price.
www.trigion.co.uk twitter.com/TomorrowsFM
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