9 Mistakes to Avoid Appointing in Security Guard Services
It is the difference between safety and security guaranteed when using the right security guard services. This, however, will undermine the effectiveness of a security team, even with good intentions. From managing home security guard services to overseeing personal bodyguards for special needs, knowing these mistakes will ensure protection that is truly robust. Let’s dive into the nine critical errors to avoid for seamless security management.
1. Failure to Report Security Incidents in a Timely Manner
- One of the major things that security guards must do is report security incidents timely. Inaction to report such incidents, even the minor ones on time, may cause the risk to rise and tracing the source of the security breach to become extremely difficult.
- Minor incidents create a documented history of potential risks, which can be invaluable if an investigation ever happens.
- Not maintaining consistent reporting standards creates huge security gaps that may lead to human and property loss at large.
2. Failure to Communicate Security Information with the Clients and Staff
- Effective security guard services depend on open communication as security teams, take charge of the residents or employees they protect.
- Failure to communicate security protocols, reporting incident channels, or emergency contacts to building occupants and staff may create confusion at the point of an emergency.
- Open communication among the residents and workers also fosters a culture of alertness and watchfulness, creating another set of eyes for the security personnel.
- By making sure that everyone gets the meaning of their role in maintaining safety and security, all guards can be prevented from relying on other guards rather than raising the strategy as a whole.
3. Aesthetics Over Security
- Many organizations pick security guards based on how they look rather than on capability. Professional appearance is important, but to decide on an appointment on how a guard looks rather than his skills and training is a grave oversight.
- Emphasis shall always be on competence and skill level. The guards should also undergo training in areas of conflict resolution, emergency responses, surveillance, and other related skills for effective handling of range situations.
- Security is pretty much what a guard is hired for to ensure, not just merely look the part of being threatening or “professional.”
4. Failure to Take Notice of Vulnerabilities on Entry Points
- Security starts with entry points. However, most businesses and properties do not recognize the significance of having guards at strategic entry and exit points.
- Another mistake is unattended entry points for some time or no policies on access monitoring. This becomes a source of unauthorized access. Thus, there should be constant vigilance at those points to ensure effective security guard services.
- The majority of breaches occur through entry points. Thus, effective surveillance and placement of guards at these entry points are a must.
5. Failure to Regularly Update Security Software and Equipment
- Security technology is constantly changing, so you can always imagine getting deterred if you’re not keeping up with all this innovation.
- All kinds of surveillance cameras, alarms, access control systems, and all sorts of security software should be regularly updated for optimal security.
- The personnel should be well updated on the training schemes to avoid mishandling of equipment, which may lower its effectiveness.
- Antiquated software or faulty equipment can critically weaken and even deactivate the surveillance systems that otherwise leave some dark nooks or corners that can easily be taken advantage of by intruders.
6. Isolation of Essential Areas and Rooms
- Many buildings have rooms or areas with sensitive information and valuable assets. Some of such rooms include IT rooms, executive offices, and storage areas.
- They ought to be cognizant of the building’s layout and areas that require special attention so they cover all the risky areas. An approach like this reduces the chances of security gaps arising.
- The existence of breach zones in otherwise secure premises is a reality, as such areas usually go unthought of during the security planning process. Without assigning guards to these areas, rooms remain susceptible to intrusions or internal threats.
7. Failure to Observe Well-Defined Protocols of Guarding
- Every security service ought to have well-defined protocols on how they ought to react to a given situation. If these protocols are not followed, then chaos and even inconsistency might arise in the event of an emergency.
- Proper procedure ensures that security officers handle matters uniformly and therefore reduces the possibility of mistakes.
- Recurring meetings may be perceived to enhance such procedures, making it easier for the guards to adhere to the procedures even under stressful situations.
8. Failure to Conduct Security Audits Periodically
- Your security guard services are not static because security needs are ever-changing. Periodic assessments help to identify new vulnerabilities, improve your responses to environmental changes, and evolve your response times to security.
- In the absence of assessments of securities, the measures may quickly depreciate in application and put assets and persons at risk.
- Periodically evaluate your security guard services to ensure that they have been aligned to meet the security needs you intended to use. This not only aborts emerging threats but also increases the credibility and reliability of your security measures.
9. Failure to invest in qualified security guard services
Further, hiring guards who are not adequately trained or have no experience can compromise the strength of the security system. Second, it’s wrong to hire the guards merely based on cost factors and not their qualifications. Whereas budgetary issues are crucial but more important would be the investment in a team of qualified and trained professionals in the delivery of security services.
Thus, you ought to find a security firm with an existing track record and employees who are fully skilled in conflict management, surveillance, and response to emergencies. In your security screening process for potential security personnel, ask them about their experiences, qualifications, and special training thus ensuring that the security will meet your needs.
FAQ
The 11 General Orders are a series of orders that security guards may adhere to to guarantee consistent vigilance. These include:
- Take charge of post and all assigned property in view
- Walk the post, where applicable, in a vigilant manner.
- Report all violations of orders issued to you for enforcement.
- To repeat all calls from posts more remote from the guardhouse or the post than my own.
- To leave my post only when properly relieved.
- To receive, obey, and report to the next orderly all orders from the company officers and supervisors.
- To converse with no one except in line of duty.
- To alarm in case of fire or disorder.
- Call the supervisor in any case not covered by instructions.
- To salute all officers and company standards not cased.
- To be extra vigilant at night, and during the time for challenging, to challenge anyone on or near the post.
The security guard version of the Golden Rule is to “Observe and Report.” While security guards are expected to be involved in many more activities than observing and reporting, observing and reporting are two things in which most security guards must heavily engage. This does not mean that a security guard should involve themselves in many activities where they may cause unnecessary escalation, but rather be able to manage situations safely and effectively
- Some common challenges faced by security guards include:
- Long hours and fatigue, especially those who work 24/7.
- Exposure to potential danger and stress based on the location of deployment
- Poor training or antiquated equipment
- Undefined role for working with clients or immediate superiors
- Physical harm associated with confrontation or responding to emergency calls
- Lack of recognition and undervaluation for one’s job.
The 5 basic principles of security are:
- Prevention-Incident prevention.
- Detection-Early identification of threats or breaches.
- Response-Immediate response to threats.
- Recovery – Recovery of security and normal activity after an incident.
- Awareness – Maintaining awareness to predict and prepare for security needs
The key rules of security are:
- Always follow the pre-established security protocol.
- Always be vigilant.
- Always communicate clearly to the team and always report incidents.
- Always remain private and confidential.
- Never take unauthorized actions that may put your safety at risk.
The 5 pillars of security guard principles are:
- Integrity – Holding onto honesty and trustworthiness.
- Vigilance – Being constantly alert and attentive.
- Professionalism – Showing respect and proper conduct.
- Reliability – Being dependable in all assigned duties.
- Training – Continually learning and improving skills.
Security guards of different companies may use different codes for a set of shorthand radio codes. Here are some examples, however, that are commonly used:
- 10-1: Poor reception.
- 10-4: Acknowledgment (understood).
- 10-7: Out of service.
- 10-8: In service.
- 10-9: Repeat message.
- 10-12: Visitors or unauthorized personnel present.
- 10-20: Location.
- 10-21: Call by phone.
- 10-33: Emergency.
- 10-97: Arrived on scene.
- (These vary between organizations.)