In order to stand up against the threat of raids and robberies, many organisations will enlist the professional help and services of a specialist security company. Unfortunately, numerous lawbreakers aren’t put off by measures like alarm systems or CCTV and will break into a business’s premises regardless.
However, with services such as key holding and property patrols, security firms can normally respond to any incident quickly, offer another visible deterrent and provide invaluable peace of mind.
But if you want to reap these rewards, what should you be looking for in a security firm?
Industry accreditation
Due to the very nature of the industry, it is incredibly important that your choice of security firm has accreditation from a trade body, association or authority.
Bear in mind that there are many industry bodies such as SIA, SAFEcontractor and BSI which we will go into in a short while once we mention health and safety first. Break-ins and burglaries can turn violent and be quite dangerous, while security personnel have to comply with health and safety regulations at all times.
Therefore, be sure to look for industry accreditation from organisations such as the Security Industry Authority (SIA), which carries government approval and has specific schemes concerned with performance and quality. The British Standards Institution (BSI) is another hallmark of operational excellence.
Experience and expertise
Chances are if a company has been operating for a long period of time then it must be doing something right. The same goes for your prospective security firm, so see how many years of industry experience it has.
You should also be trying to discover the company’s knowledge and expertise. Go online and see how they are describing the services they provide or ask questions about specific security details. Security firms should be forthcoming with in-depth information and not shy away from telling you how they serve current clientele.
Recognition and reputation
There aren’t many better ways of finding out whether a business is legitimate, reliable and proficient than getting the inside scoop from previous or existing customers.
Although company website testimonials may appear favourable, it’s very likely that only positive feedback has been published. Therefore, it is often more advantageous to seek out independent reviews on third party sites. Alternatively, ask the security firm directly whether they can provide you with comments from customers, both good and bad.
Services on offer
Before you start searching for a security firm, it is a good idea to know what sort of services you require. That way, you can receive expert assistance in specific areas and avoid picking a solution that doesn’t address your organisation’s real security problems.
You should also be cautious about choosing a security firm that has a comprehensive range of services on offer. This may suit a business with a vast array of security needs, but there is a strong chance you’ll end up with a “jack of all trades and master of none” scenario.
So, if you’re looking to employ the services of a security firm, it is important to bear all of these considerations in mind. If not, your business could be more susceptible to breaches of security than before.
Seek out an accredited security team, with a good set of happy customers, and you will likely not go too far wrong. For professional security related matters, help and friendly advice companies such as Access Facilities Management should be your first port of call. Once armed with the right information you should be able to make an informed decision regarding whoever you decide upon to provide these sorts of important protective services to your business.
