7 Questions to Evaluate Security Guard Services

First, you should start out with a self-evaluation. Knowing the specific security concerns of your business, location and building site will give you a better picture of what you need to look for in a security service.

Once you’ve completed your self-evaluation and begin searching online for security guard services, use the following questions to thoroughly assess each option:

1. Does the company have experience with businesses similar to yours?

Guards will have different skills and experience that make them suited to different types of offices and environments. The same is true for security guard companies. Although many of them start out in certain industries and then expand out into others, most tend to hire the same type of security guard and work for the same type of client.

When evaluating a security guard service, you want to make sure they have other clients with businesses similar to yours, whether it’s the same size, type or industry.

2. Do they offer services in your city?

Check to see if the company has clients in the same area of the city as your building. This can be a major advantage because the guard(s) will be more familiar with the security issues and risks in that area. If you choose a company that has multiple locations in your city, you’ll know they are also likely to have additional security guards, supervision and built-in reinforcements close-by.

For example, if the company is also protecting the building across the street, you know they’ll be paying more attention to your block and your neighborhood than a company that’s never operated in your neighborhood before.

3. What’s behind their pricing?

Low prices may seem attractive but if a security guard company offers a much lower rate than others, it’s a red flag. Low rates could be the sign of one of three things:

• Extra costs

Always read between the lines. If they offer low rates, you may have to pay a lot of extra money for overtime, supervisors and patrols. If an incident occurs you may also have to pay extra fees on top of that.

4. Do they have up to date insurance and licensing?

In the event that a guard will need to detain someone (by force or otherwise), if they incur injuries on the job or damage private property while protecting your building, it’s essential that the security service has the proper insurance to cover the incident. Without up to date insurance, you could be liable.

Unlicensed guards may be cheaper, but they also haven’t been through the training and background checks required to get a license. Also note that depending on which state your business is in, guards may have different licensing requirements. If you’re hiring guards for multiple locations across different states, it’s important to ensure they have the proper license to operate in each state.

5. Do guards have sufficient support/back-up?

One of the best things about having a security guard on-sight is having a strong response capability. Cameras and access control provide monitoring and alerts but they don’t actually provide someone in real-time to respond to an incident and make trained decisions. What you want to have in place are good levels of supervision as well as a 24/7 support team, not just for you as the client, but also for the security guard.

Imagine someone tried to break-in through a window at 3 am. The guard will need to go through the next steps of calling law enforcement, checking the building for stolen items, etc. but also protect the broken window which is now a weak point. Having the ability to call for back-up from a supervisor or patrol officer is definitely a value add that security companies can provide.

Always ask: What’s the response time for a supervisor or patrol officer to reach a guard if they need assistance? How much time do they spend at each site?

Again this is where hiring a security guard service which is already operating in your area is an advantage.

6. What are the company’s processes like?

With updates in security technology, companies that still use old school practices will be way behind in the protection they can offer you. When evaluating a company, find out what type of technology they provide to their guards and how well guards are trained in using this technology.

7. How is their response rate?

At this initial stage in your relationship with the security guard company, response rate and quality of responses can give you insight into difficulties you may face down the road. Ask yourself the following questions when communicating with a potential service:

Has the company responded back to you in a timely manner? 

Has it been easy to correspond with them and move along in the process?

Was the information they provided clear, detailed and complete?

If they’re already demonstrating warning signs at this initial phase in your communication, it’s a clear red flag. Keep in mind: “Difficult to evaluate, difficult to manage.”

This evaluation should help you to narrow down your options making it easier to find the right fit for your business.

Bonus! We asked Miguel Selva, President at 24/7 Global Security Inc if he had any additional tips, he shared with us a great one: “first of all, grab the phone, I know people nowadays are more comfortable with email and text, but nothing will give you a sense of the type of company you are calling like a phone call and a meeting. This is not the type of services you can hire ‘online’.”

If you want to know more about working with us, please contact us.

Source: https://www.bannerman.com/