Whether it is a commercial building or a residential one, it must have a robust security mechanism to safeguard whatever is inside. Most buildings hire firms who specialize in providing security services for such operations.
However, before hiring any security company, there are a few questions that you must ask to ensure that you get the best possible service. Here are some of them.
How do you utilize technology in your services?
In today’s day and age, technology plays a critical role in every aspect of our lives, including security. It can be a boon in the operations of the security personnel and can act as a catalyst for them in executing their functions more efficiently.
Devices like CCTV cameras, panic alarm, motion sensors among others should be in the arsenal of any worthy security company. Technology solutions should be among the high priority questions that you should ask any security provider. Before you hire armed security personnel or elite protection services of the leading executive security companies in town, you must fully ensure that they use all the latest technologies, gadgets, equipment and security devices needed for surveillance, monitoring and theft protection.
Are you licensed and insured?
Licensing and insurance are two of the most crucial aspects of any security company. You must make sure that the company that you hire is legally licensed to provide their services.
Most people will assume that a company has a license and won’t bother to ask this question. You would be surprised to know that many companies are operating without adequate licenses and to compensate for this; they charge less.
How long have you been operating?
Experience plays a vital role in providing any services, especially when it comes to security. You must ask the security firm about their past experience and how long they have been operating.
Generally speaking, companies that have been around longer, tend to provide better services than their newer counterparts. However, there can be a few exceptions. You must also ask them if they have worked with similar clients in the past.
How frequently do you update your employee training?
Security is changing continually with rapid advancements in technology and with new emerging threats. This requires companies to regularly train their employees and also update the training routines which are best suited to the changing scenarios.
Make sure to ask them about how frequently they update their employee training to avoid getting a firm which operates using outdated methods.
How will you handle an emergency situation?
More often than not, the threats that any security company faces will be passive or non-serious. However, there may be times when they have to face a severe danger of an emergency.
Always remember to ask them what their protocol will be in such a scenario. How fast will they be able to get some backup if needed, and will they be using lethal force if necessary? These are some questions that you can ask before hiring a security firm.
Are your guards armed or not?
Some businesses or buildings are home to some highly valuable or sensitive material that is prone to theft. In such cases, you must inquire if the guards of a particular security firm are authorized to carry lethal weapons.
They may not have to use these weapons, but they can act as a deterrent to any potential breaking and entering attempts. In some cases, guards with non-lethal weapons such as stun guns might be very effective, but in others, lethal weapons may be necessary.
What do you specialize in?
There is no single type of security company in the market. Each one specialises in one or the other, for example, a residential building has different security requirements than that of any commercial establishment.
So, it would make no sense to hire a firm that specialises in residential security for a commercial building, and vice versa. Make sure that the company you hire has expertise in guarding a building similar to yours.
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