Security Guard Service

Security guards have been used for centuries to protect people and property and act as a deterrent to crime. According to Robert B. Reich, author of The Work of Nations, private security guards are as numerous as police officers, and that trend is continuing. The flexibility and diversity of a security guard service make them an excellent choice for companies who need private security, either for a temporary situation or a long term security plan. Similar to other employment agencies, the security guard is an employee of the guard service. For a company using this service, this can be advantageous by saving time in the hiring process, and money in accounting services and employee benefits. Instead, you will pay one fee to the security guard service, and they will take care of the rest. Another benefit of using a security firm is the availability of pre-qualified employees. The guard service will complete background checks and employment and training verification, allowing you to choose from applicants that meet your specific needs. Finally, you can hire security guards for a number of situations, and can easily change your security as your requirements change.

There are several things to take into account before you choose a security guard service: what type of security service you need, what level of protection will best provide that service, and who is best qualified to fulfill that role.

Security guard services can accommodate many different security situations. To determine what type of security service you require, you will first define what assets need protection, and then create a list of roles you would like the security staff to perform. The list of reasons you might need a security guard is endless. Many insurance companies offer discounts if you have on-site security; your company may have high cost inventory to protect. Perhaps your needs are more technical, for instance, protecting computer data or research. Also consider if the defense needs to be active or passive. Do you need a patrol? Or just monitoring services? Decide exactly what you need protected by a security guard, and then determine the level of protection that is appropriate.

When you use a security guard firm, you have access to a wide pool of available services. Now that you have decided what exactly you need safeguarded, you can create a description of the role you need your security guard to execute. The duties of guards that are solely to provide a 24-hour presence are very different from the duties of guards who are protecting a warehouse of uncut diamonds. Some tasks to consider include: will they be stationary, or patrol an area? Will they try and catch lawbreakers or act as a deterrent to crime? Can they monitor your assets remotely or must they be on-site? Will they be helping your customers or monitoring your employees? Prioritize your list, so you can make the best use of your available budget. Security guards with higher levels of training will be able to accomplish higher level security tasks, but will also require a larger budget.

Now that you have determined what you need from a security guard, you need to decide what level of protection will best meet those requirements. Security guard services can provide everything from a plainclothes guard to a fully armed security force. If your ideal role is to deter crime, a uniformed, and possibly armed, guard is a better choice. If you are catching shoplifters, you need plainclothes security. You also need to consider if an on-site presence is required, or if you can use remote monitoring.

Now that you understand the reasons for increased security, and what you expect that guard to accomplish, you are ready to begin interviewing. The security guard service you have chosen will be able to send you qualified candidates that match your criteria. Since the security guard firm has pre-screened the guards, your job is to find the best match for your company. If you have a very formal company, you will not want a guard that is too casual. If you are hiring a security guard to patrol a parking lot with your customers, you will want someone helpful and friendly. If you are protecting your warehouse of uncut diamonds, the security guard better look like he can discourage criminals.

The level of training your guard has attained should match your security requirements. Look for specialized training if the situation warrants. If you need to protect your computer data, for instance, check that the security guard service has employees that have that specialized training in that area. The same applies if you have the potential for bomb threats, or bio-terrorism, or other unusual requirements. By following this process, a security guard service will be an excellent solution to your private security needs.