FOCUS SECURITY
THE BUSINESS OF
PROTECTION
WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS THAT DETERMINE THE
QUALITY OF A SECURITY OPERATION?
O en, customers buy security based on a visible
need, perhaps a recent incident or insurance
process. There is nothing wrong with this as a driver
for reviewing security, as o en a well-placed security
o icer can provide a great service, acting as the first
point of contact and access control for a site. But I
believe more can be done. When a holistic security
solution is designed, it takes into consideration
factors such as the technology available to support
the manned guarding and the need for a visible
deterrent. We also need to consider the skills
required to mitigate the specific risk.
WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD YOU ASK TO REVIEW
YOUR OPERATION EFFECTIVELY?
Many sites use a form of ‘castle and keep’ protection.
Some will use fencing to protect the perimeter,
or keep, while others will use more decorative
landscaping, coupled with CCTV coverage. Both
options have merit, depending on the facility,
but this is the starting point for your review. Once
comfortable that the perimeter is covered, how
about the main building (castle)? When choosing a
security solution, it is important to detail the known
or perceived risks to the site. It is also important to
consider the unexpected risks, such as information
in servers or valuables held on site.
Once the physical aspects are under control, we
need to look at how security o icers can maintain
the integrity of the site while not impeding the work
of the business. Security would ideally be a visible
presence at the point of entry, whether a gatehouse
40 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2020
or reception, working in conjunction with a
reception team and present at peak times or during
an incident. This allows for internal and external
patrols, which are not just about closing windows
and doors but act as the eyes and ears of the
facilities team, identifying hazards or maintenance
issues and acting as a reassuring visible presence for
the sta as well as a deterrent to others. The security
team needs to be part of the company ‘family’ and
an active part of the business continuity programme.
If your security people appear to be always in
the same place, bored, or just waiting for the next
activity, it is time to break the monotony and
introduce random activities that encourage them
to investigate, review, feedback and be part of the
wider business. This is also where technology that
supports the physical presence comes into its own.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN TECHNOLOGY TOOLS THAT
MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
The first thing to consider is CCTV covering the
perimeter, main access points and high-risk areas.
Cameras are now available that use analytics to
identify suspicious activity, which can be fed to an
o icer on patrol using a smartphone that allows
them to react to situations promptly. This takes away
the need for banks of monitors in a security o ice.
Automatic number plate recognition at the entrance
can restrict access for unauthorised vehicles. It
can also act as a welcome point for visitors with a
message board directing them to a parking place.
The other piece of technology that I would suggest
are access control systems. These can alert security
o icers to doors held open or fire exits activated.
If you find the use of paper visitors’ badges old
fashioned, new HID access control cards are
available that will take a photo of the visitor, detail
the host’s name, and provide basic access to the
general areas on a temporary and rewritable access
card. The visitor books in at reception or via a virtual
tablet. The card is produced behind reception and
the host is prompted to come and collect their guest,
at which point the card is given to the visitor and
access is granted. This also reduces paper usage.
A mobile and agile security team can use
smartphones to react to access control and CCTV
when they are out on site. If a report can be done
on paper, it can also be captured on a smartphone,
whether it is to log searches, vehicle safety checks
and alarm activations or track server room
temperatures. The data captured can form part of
Rob Whiffi ng, Security
Excellence and Projects
Director at Sentinel
Group Security (SGS), draws on
his experience in the industry to
answer key questions surrounding
site and building protection
the daily activity log for the business and be made
available to the FM team online.
WHICH TRAINING COURSES AND
QUALIFICATIONS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED?
Training is dependent on the site and the activity
taking place there. Security is o en the first point
of contact with a business. A er the appropriate
licence training for the role, I believe that customer
service and report writing are the key skills that the
team requires to provide the best impression of your
company. Additional training can be taken online to
add skills in health and safety, data protection and
manual handling. Once you have decided how you
want security to fit into the company family, skillsbased
training in first aid or first response and fire
marshalling would be a logical step.
WHAT DOES A GOOD SECURITY SERVICE LOOK
LIKE IN YOUR OPINION?
A good service exists when the security team is
valued as an integral part of the business. This
starts with paying the team more than living wage
and reviewing the rostering practices to take
account of work-life balance. Having trained the
team to perform the tasks, it’s important to show
appreciation when they perform well, enforcing the
company policies and protecting the business. A
well thought-out list of tasks, duties and activities to
keep the team busy and alert, in conjunction with
e ective use of technology, will create a formidable
security solution. Trained and appreciated teams
perform better and are proactive in support of your
business.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE FOR THE UK
SECURITY MARKET?
This is an exciting time for the industry, as science
and technology continue to transform the way
we live and the threats we face. The private sector
is becoming increasingly adept at operating in a
fast-paced and o en uncertain environment, and
will have a growing role in support of the public
sector and policing. Ultimately a security service is
still about people, values and a passion to deliver
the best service possible. Technology is important,
but not at the expense of investing in people; it’s
every individual within a team that make the biggest
di erence in helping customers to manage their risk.