In House Security Versus Security Company

Many businesses in today's challenging economic times hire security guards in house to save money while not realizing that they are actually losing money. In house security guards require benefits, payroll expense, worker's compensations insurance, general liability insurance, sick pay and unemployment insurance. The security officer must be supervised and most of the time supervised by people that do not have the necessary expertise.

In such companies a security plan and post orders are virtually non existent. I provided a security consultation to a business about a year ago. They were buying stock up merchandise from large retailers and selling it at more than 500 percent profit. Their sales were terrific, but at the end of the year the company managed to loose money. Although it was obvious, the owner could not explain it. The security guards were hired in house and new all employees at the warehouse.

\"house Security\"

The warehouse was basically plundered by employees and the security guards. Some employees would have people come to the warehouse and sell merchandise to them while pocketing the money and paying off the security officers. It became so rampant that the business was actually losing money.

The first thing we did was hiring an outside security company that would not allow anybody to leave with merchandise. Over time the worst employees that tried to continue stealing were caught and fired. The company's sales were still terrific and the company actually made exorbitant profits. The hourly rate for the security officers was actually lower than what they were paying before. The client got security guards that did not fraternize with employees, were better supervised and trained and saved money on top of it.

Saving on general liability insurance, worker's compensation insurance, unemployment, sick leave and all the other benefits the client got much better service from licensed and experienced professionals while saving a lot of money. The general assumption in the business world is that in house will save money, because security companies will add their profit to the labor costs. What many managers and clients fail to see is that security companies add a lot of value for what they charge. That value outweighs the costs by much like the example above proves. Also there are economies of scale for security companies. They get cheaper insurance, because they are licensed and are insuring more people. Supervision is cheaper for them, because they have proven methods that people not in the industry do not know about. Managers in companies that employ in house security guards should definitely contact a security consultant for a free consultation. It will not benefit every business, but most businesses will be better off outsourcing their security services.

In House Security Versus Security Company

Charles Willis is a Sr. Security Consultant for Vigilant Protection Group in Los Angeles. He has decades of experience in the security industry. In his many years he worked as a security guards for clients ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies.

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Surveillance Cameras Wired vs. Wireless

One of the most common questions that I get asked on a regular basis is which type of surveillance camera is better, wired or wireless? The answer that I give to this question is always the same, neither one is better nor worse, it all depends on your situation.

Rather than go into a long, drawn out lesson on surveillance cameras, I'll just give you what I consider to be some of the pros and cons of both wired and wireless security cameras.

\"surveillance Security\"

Wireless cameras
The obvious benefit of a wireless surveillance camera is that it can be placed almost anywhere without needing to figure out how to conveniently run the connecting cables. For many applications, such as covert surveillance, this can be a necessity. An example of this would be a hidden nanny cam for your kids' room that's disguised as a stuffed animal. Let's face it; a teddy bear with a cable coming out of its paw is hardly an inconspicuous hidden camera.

The down side to a wireless surveillance camera is just as obvious. Wireless cameras need to have their battery packs frequently recharged for them to work. Also depending on how far away the wireless receiver is from the camera, the video signal could be subjected to interference from other electronic devices in the area.

Wired cameras
The pros and cons of a wired surveillance camera is pretty much the opposite of the wireless ones. On the plus side, wired cameras don't need to be frequently recharged, so once they're installed, you can leave them alone and they'll continue to work for you day in and day out. Also, because the camera is directly connected to the monitor or recording device, the signal is not subject to video interference from outside sources. The down side is that they are limited by the length and placement of the connecting cables. It may not be practical to have 300 or 400 feet of wire running through your building from the camera to the monitor.

All in all, there are benefits as well as down sides to both wired and wireless surveillance cameras. So instead of asking which one works better, the only question that you really need to ask yourself is which one will work better for your particular situation.

Surveillance Cameras Wired vs. Wireless

SA Rubin is the owner of North American Security Products, LLC. A company dedicated to providing you with the means to protect and defend yourself against crime. For more information on Surveillance cameras visit http://www.nasecurityproducts.com where you’ll find a complete line of surveillance equipment for your home and business.

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10 Tips For Hiring Good Security Guards

If you decide to use contracted security guards to protect your business and people you should use the following tips to ensure that you get the quality you pay for. I will say that it may cost you more to get this quality but if you force the contracted security company to work for lower price they will deliver lower standard guards in some cases, but more importantly, if they accept your low price it means they are saving money elsewhere. These security companies will have lower quality controls and increased number of safety concerns due to poor occupational health and safety systems.

Verbal communication skills

Security

All clients want security guards that can speak English well so their customers can understand directions and instructions clearly. Their verbal skills are also needed to resolve conflicts peacefully.

Observation skills

Security guards main duty is to detect security problems and safety hazards before they become an problem for your business. Most security training courses do not teach observation skills in any form. These training companies believe that people have eyes and have been using them for their entire life so they know how to observe already. Completely wrong. That is like saying that because we have been eating food all our lives we can be food critics and know how to judge a chefs product.

Deterrence of criminal behaviour

Every security company and contracted client states that the most important factor for employing security guards is their ability to deter crime and they don't want guards to arrest of use reasonable force to control unwanted behaviour.

No security training teaches new guards how to deter criminal behaviour. So is it any reason why everyone automatically assumes that the new security guard can deter crime. I have found some clients still think that size is how guards deter people.

Competence in their performance of security skills

You as the client take it for granted that the security company has actually tested or confirmed the performance ability of all their security guards. Most never conduct performance checks in any form, and the others that do, don't check actual security skills- they assess the guard based on how many shifts they do for the company and whether they complain about the security company.

Just because some guards have been in the industry for years doesn't mean that they know how to provide security in your business.

Top 10 Tips

Give the security guard a test in their verbal conflict handling skills be pretending to be a complaining customer. Look for their responses.

Give the guard a written test that consists of security questions and knowledge that a level 2/3 guard must know to get their qualification.

Ask the guard exactly how much experience they have in handling security in a business exactly like yours or very similar. Ask for proof and request they demonstrate their experience in a work trial by explaining to you the most common security problems in your type of business.

Ask when the last time they had a performance assessment done on them and what type of questions did the security manager ask them. What was their performance rating.

Ask them to explain how they plan to deter criminal behaviour to leave your business. Have they thought about it or are they just relying on their size. Trust me on this- size has little impact on deterrence to most real criminals.

Give them a photograph of two people and ask them to look at it for 5 seconds. Then ask them to describe the person that you request. They need to get all the details correct. You do not want security guards that cannot even describe a photographed person. In a real event with darkness and adrenalin going they will make mistakes.

Hold interviews with all your security guards before the security company assign them to protect you. During the interview conduct the mentioned tests and questions but also ask the guard to tell you about a tell he had to deal with an assault and listen to how they dealt with it.

Pay attention to the level of verbal skills used during the interview. Especially the number of incorrect words used and lengthy pauses while they think of the words to use. This type of skills signals poor verbal ability and comprehension during normal conversation they will struggle during security incidents. If they have to repeat themselves to you so you understand what they are saying- don't use them.

Avoid using any security guards that feel they need to have bald heads or crew cuts because they don't want their hair grabbed during a fight. They shouldn't need to fight if they know how to do their job properly. This goes the same for guards that refuse to wear ties in case someone grabs it during a fight. Get elastic or clip on ties. Problem solved. I prefer it if someone wants to grab my tie instead of punching me because they have just wasted the first move and not injured me. Game over.

Ask how long they have worked for this security company. Security companies have high turnover and throw inexperienced guards at clients every month or worse, they use sub-contracted guards that you have no quality control over and the security company doesn't even know them.

10 Tips For Hiring Good Security Guards

Information supplied by Paul Baker

Over twenty years security & risk management experience across Australia to protect corporate clients from critical incidents and security risks.

Previously served in the Military and expert in explosives, weapons, and information gathering techniques.

Achieved formal qualifications in a wide range of security risk management skills and commendations for crisis response operations

Training Manager

Between the Lines training

0433 249 825

[http://short-courses.com.au]

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