6 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Security Guard

Page 2 of 1

6 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Security Guard

Hiring a private security company for your business or property is one of the most crucial decisions you have to make. After all, you need a reliable security partner to protect your valuable assets and people from theft, vandalism and other crimes. However, there are number of factors to consider before you hire a security guard company. A right security team will monitor; deter crime and protect your place, thereby creating a safe environment around you.

Here are the essential questions you must ask your security provider to ensure that your security is in the right hands.

Are you licensed?

Make sure the security guard company is licensed by the Department of Public Safety. A licensed security provider ensures that the employees are carefully screened and documented during the recruiting process. Additionally, the licensed provider sends finger prints and information to the Private Security Bureau so a criminal background check can be performed on the potential employee.  

Hiring an unlicensed company means that you are risking the security of your workplace and people.

What Kind of Training Your Security Guards Go Through?

The classroom and theoretical training of a security guard is not enough to cope up with real threats. Therefore, make sure you are provided with security guards who are well trained in weapons technology, counter-terrorism, public interaction, risk assessment and public security techniques. It will assure you that they can deal with various incidents that may occur during the course of an event or a regular day.

Do You Monitor Your Guards?

Ask your private security company if they supervise and examine their guards frequently. A good security service company will maintain a clear chain of command with their employees and stay in touch with their guards on duty. Nowadays, many security guard companies have deployed GPS tracking to monitor each guard on duty with an automated feature that updates regularly on a programmed schedule, thereby ensuring the safety of every guard and supervising each guard’s movement and the assigned area on that place.

How Long You Have Been in Business?

Find out how long the security provider has been in the business. An experienced security guard provider has established contacts with local authorities. They are also familiar with the local crime types and plan their security accordingly. Above all, you have a good chance to get experienced manpower from them.

What are the Prices of Your Services?

Always shop around to find the reasonable quote. Compare the prices and see which provider fits in your budget and meets your requirement as well. However, be cautious if you are getting considerably cheaper quote than other companies. It simply means that they are cutting corner. For example, they can send untrained security guards with little or no experience. It may be possible that they don’t have the required insurance or approval. It is usually best to prefer the experience and quality of services over prices.

Do You Provide Armed or Unarmed Guard?

Review your security needs to find out what kind of security you need. Is it armed or unarmed? If you are hiring armed guards, make sure they are well trained in operating firearms and carry a license to avoid liability issues. Remember, armed security guards are expensive as the company has to provide increased liability insurance, and not to mention the expenditure coming on the weapon training. Because of this, hire armed guards only for VIP events, concerts and the situation where you need bodyguards.

So, these are the essential questions you must ask to security guards providing company. And hire the company only when you find them reliable and right for your security needs.

About the Author

Ahmad Hamidi is an author and editor at Secure Guard Security Services.

Featured

  • Allegion, Comfort Technologies Implement Mobile Credentials at the Artisan Apartment Homes in Florida

    Artisan Apartment Homes, a luxury apartment complex in Dunedin, Florida, recently transitioned from mechanical keys to electronic locks and centralized system software with support from Allegion US, a leading provider of security solutions, technology and services, and Florida-based Comfort Technologies, which specializes in deploying multifamily access control, IoT devices and software management solutions. Read Now

  • Mall of America Deploys AI-Powered Analytics to Enhance Parking Intelligence

    Mall of America®, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Axis Communications to deploy cutting-edge car-counting video analytics across more than a dozen locations. With this expansion, Mall of America (MOA) has boosted operational efficiency, improved safety and security, and enabled more informed decision-making around employee scheduling and streamlining transportation for large events. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Launches New “askSIA” AI Tool

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has unveiled a brand-new SIA member benefit – askSIA, a conversational AI agent designed to help users get the most out of their SIA membership, easily access SIA resources and find the latest information on SIA’s training and courses, reports and publications, events, certification offerings and more. SIA members can easily find askSIA by visiting the SIA homepage or looking for the askSIA icon in the top left of webpages. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Industry Embraces Mobile Access, Biometrics and AI

    A combination of evolving workplace dynamics, technology innovation and new user expectations is changing how people enter and interact with physical spaces. Access control is at the heart of these changes. Combined with biometrics and AI, mobile access control has become increasingly crucial for deploying entry solutions that are seamless, secure and adaptive to user needs. Read Now

  • Sustainable Video Solution Delivered for Landmark City of London Office Development

    An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives. Read Now

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.