SECURITY GUARD SERVICES FOR SMALL SCALE BUSINESSES: DOES IT MAKE ECONOMIC SENSE?

Introduction Nowadays, small-scale businesses face the same security challenges that large-scale businesses face. It’s not just burglars that they have to deal with but saboteurs, terrorists, and spies too. From the human resource to the assets of the business, everything needs protection. One way to offer security is through hiring security guard services. There are so many security companies that you can approach to ask about business protection services. But maybe you are worried about the costs. Just think of what you stand to lose if your business is not secure. Besides, this guide will help you with the tips that you’ll need to reduce the security guard expenses. Perhaps you think that you don’t need security guards since your business is always under surveillance. Well, this guide will also help you understand how the two security solutions can coexist to maximize the security of your small business.

Table of Contents  Why hire a security guard service? Why hire a security guard service  Types of security guards for small-scale businesses. Types of security guards for small-scale businesses  Ways to save on security guard services. Ways to save on security guard services  How to get the most out of your security guards? How to get the most out of your security guards  Closing thoughts. Closing thoughts

Why hire a security guard service? You probably have a surveillance system in place and are planning to upgrade it. Maybe it’s an alarm response system. However, you still need security guards. Here are the reasons why: 1. Peace of mind Let’s face it; employees are calmer when they know that someone is watching their backs. They become more productive as they don’t have to worry about their safety. Besides, having a trained security person around is more assuring than having a CCTV since it can malfunction. The security guard services train their employees and a majority of them are licensed to carry weapons. This gives your worker peace of mind at all times.

2. Customer service Security services usually train their security guards on the best customer handling skills. The guards can spend a few minutes at the customer desk to offer customer service when your receptionist is not present or when you have a major event and your receptionist is overwhelmed. The guards can direct the guests on where to go depending on the event. They also offer direction to the guests whenever they want to pack their cars. 3. Crime prevention Having security guards within the business premise may help a great deal in deterring crimes. The guards can also foresee a source of danger and neutralize it before it becomes a danger to the business or to the employees. They can to alert their security company when external intervention is needed.

4. Crime response Security guard services normally train their guards on ways to professionally handle a crime. So, they don’t just prevent it but fight it too. They know when to take down a criminal and when to consider police reinforcement. Basically, they are trained to act responsibly in the event that your business or employees are under attack. 5. Monitoring services Not every security guard is employed to offer patrol services or stand at the gate. Some are stationed in the surveillance room to monitor the operations of the business remotely, more so in a busy setting. They can monitor suspicious habits like shoplifting that the officers on the ground can’t perceive. When hiring several security guards in your business, each of them is allocated a specific location to monitor. In case something goes wrong, the security service is answerable.

Generally, you should hire security guards if the answer to any of these questions is yes:  Is your parking lot barely safe for the employees and their cars?  Is your business prone to retail theft?  Is your business located in a high-crime neighbourhood?  Are you afraid of liability concerns?  Do you have safety concerns within the business?  Does your business deal with alcohol?  Do you have building traffic challenges?  Does your business need emergency help?  Do your employees need regular training on personal safety?  Are your current security features inadequate?

Types of security guards for small-scale businesses Security guards nowadays provide a range of services. It all depends on the needs of your small business. Here are the common types of security guards that you should consider: 1. Corporate guards These security officers are trained to offer security services in a corporate setting. They have the expertise to handle front-of-the-office challenges. They are trained in customer service and employee handling. So, you can expect them to help you with the day-to-day running of your corporate functions.

2. Virtual guards In some small businesses, security guards are not needed onsite, for example, in supermarkets. They can provide security monitoring services from a remote location. Such security persons are called virtual guards. They are positioned to monitor HD security cameras, motion sensors, and intrusion detectors. They are required to provide the monitoring services 24/7. 3. Warehouse security guards These are specially trained security officers to monitor your warehouse. They control access to it and ensure that the products stored are protected 24/7. 4. Armed security guards These guards are licensed to carry weapons. They are trained to offer almost all the security services that the police provide. Since they are armed, they are best employed in high-crime zones. The presence of these armed men and women is a very effective strategy in preventing crimes. They are often the difference between saving lives and losing it in a violent encounter.

5. Unarmed security guards From the name, it’s clear that these security guards do not carry any ammunition. Their job is to provide a physical presence in your business premise. Some of their top responsibilities are:  Offering patrol services  Surveillance system monitoring  Responding to physical security threats Since these security officers do not carry any lethal weapon, they are best employed where there are few security threats.

Ways to save on security guard services When it comes to hiring a security company, it can be pretty expensive for small businesses. However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t consider hiring the service. The easiest way to have a manageable budget is to reduce headcount. Simply put, you need to reduce the number of security guards that you employ. This makes sense economically. But what will happen to my business when i remain with a few security officers? It’s normal to ask such a sensible question. The answer is in investing in security devices that will complement the few security guards that you have. Here are the most important ones: 1. CCTV cameras: A single surveillance system is worth 10 or more security guards. Actually, you need one or two security guards to monitor all your CCTV cameras. It’s a very economical approach when looking to save on security guard expenses. The amount of manpower needed is less when the CCTV cameras are in place

2. Electric fencing: fitting an electric fence in your small business may help a great deal to keep thieves and spies away. Since they are afraid of getting electrocuted, they’ll keep their distance. In fact, the few guards that you hire will not have so much to do externally but will be needed more inside the premise. 3. Intrusion detectors: installing an intrusion alert system is an incredible way of cutting the costs of security guards while ensuring that your business security is not compromised. The system is meant to monitor your fence and to detect any kind of intrusion by identifying habits like fence climbing, fence cutting, and forced entry. The moment such behaviours are detected; the security guard in charge gets a formal alert. 4. Electronic parking solutions: instead of having security men in the parking lot to monitor how your cars are parked, you can use them somewhere else in the business. What you need to do is invest in modern electronic parking solutions. The systems will help the security guard in charge to have better control of everything that happens in your parking lot. Though installing the above security features may cost you money initially, the expenses afterward are few. You’ll only need a few security guards to monitor the performance of the installations. They’ll make it easy for the security guards to protect your business premise.

How to get the most out of your security guards? Generally, it’s shrewd to find value in the services that you are paying for. The few security guards that you hire need to guarantee you the best security service. You need to ensure that you get the most out of them. Here are some tips to use: Supervise them regularly to ensure that they are working as expected. Verify their qualifications before hiring or when you notice something suspicious to ensure they are qualified to serve your business. Talk to the security service heads once in a while to suggest the things that need improving in your business. Maintain a strict check-in and check-out system to ensure your business is always protected.

Closing thoughts There’s no doubt that even small-scale businesses require the services of a security company. Looking at the kind of protection services that security guards provide, it’s irrefutable that it makes sense hiring such experts. Even though the service can be expensive since it’s a recurrent expenditure, it is worth it in the long run. What’s more, as seen above, there are ways to save on the costs. Northern force securityNorthern force security is a Toronto-based full service security provider that specializes in a wide range of security and safety needs. These include business security, home security, VIP protection, security guards, building security, concierge services, and mobile patrols among others. They also offer risk assessment services, security training programs, and a wide range of customized consulting services.

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