You never really know which security guard is going to make all the difference when it’s a matter of having good security. Just because not all guards are the same, that doesn’t mean it’s not telling when your current guard isn’t cutting it. Here are some ‘big red flags’ that show it might be time to call in a more professional service to guard your assets.
Key Takeaways
Choose only fully trained and certified guards.
You have to be good at communication, your guard will smoothly follow protocols and work well with other.
Make sure to watch attendance and attention; when absent often or willfuly absent too are red flags.
Appearance and behavior of a guard count—his should reflect his role and authority associated with it.
Your guard must be able to handle stressful situations in emergencies; the quicker, calmer the better.
Adequate Training and Certification . . .
Not possessing the necessary Certifications required for performing.
When you’re hiring a guard, you want to hire a complete package, ready to handle what needs to be handled. It’s like they don’t even have part of their toolkit without the right certifications. Here are some certifications to check for:
Security licenses issued by the State.
First aid and CPR certiications
Training to control a crowd, or to serve as emergency response.
Lacking On-the-Job Training
Certifications are just as important as real world training. But if a guard has never been tested in real-life situations, they may melt when things go south. Here’s what you should look for:
– Scenario based role play exercise training
– Shadowing to gain new vs seasoned personnel knowledge
– To help keep your skills sharp they do regular refresher courses.
Failing to keep up with the industry standards
Security field changes very fast, and an unup to date guard is as much as working blind. Ensure they:
You must participate within ongoing training programs.
You will know about new security tech and best practices.
Fresh insights they are participating in professional security groups
Drawing from Real Life Example of poor communication skills
It’s not just a nice thing to have for a security guard — it’s a lifeline. Here are some of the warning signs for an issue with communication.
Inability to follow protocols
The fact of the matter is that, if your guard won’t follow the standard protocols, it is like they are not following steps in a recipe. This can show up in various ways:
– Didn’t completely know or follow security procedures
– Frequently making reporting errors
– Failing to explain pertinent information clearly to your team.
Miscommunication with Team Members
A guard not able to communicate with colleagues is as good as being on a deserted island. Look out for:
– Regular misunderstanding between supervisors’ instructions.
– This will cause confusion in the team as to roles and responsibilities.
– Shifts not coordinated because of inadequate updates
Difficulty Managing Public Relations
And since a security guard is generally the first person that visitors talk to and in need of being able to speak well. Signs of trouble include:
– Misunderstandings of public interactions because they’re struggling with
– Having an annoyance when your questions are asked.
– Can’t represent the company positively to clients or visitors.
Symptoms of Performance Untrustworthiness
Security is about reliability; you can’t have someone who isn’t reliable. So here’s how to know if your guard just might not be ready for the job.
Tardiness or often absences
Not showing up to work when you are supposed to or showing up late will leave gaps in security. Watch for:
– Often miss missed shifts, this will make your security coverage weak.
– Coming late, breaking the routine and not checking the areas supervised.
– Not informing management about your absences leaving you unprepared
Inacuracy of Vigilance and Patrolling
Not much of a guard is a guard that’s half heartedly patrolling. Things to consider:
– Lack of proper patrol of certain areas
– Behavior such as distracted behavior, like scrolling on their phone while on duty
– Ignoring suspicious activity just because doing so could have huge security slip ups
We disregard Security Breach or Incident
But when a guard doesn’t report incidents, she or he is putting you at risk. Common issues include:
– Lack of accountability because incidents aren’t documented
Hint: Security breach reports not being filed will contribute to repeat situation
– Letting minor incidents slide into major ones.
Professional Tool for Evaluating and Consoler of Professionalism and Appearance
A security guard is telling on themselves. The security team set a tone in professional appearance and behavior.
Uneven Uniform and Appearance
They respect themselves and their job, and they look well groomed. Keep an eye out for:
Free from stains, free of dirt and free of tears.
Personal grooming that makes an attention to detail.
– Can undermine trust, ‘because there’s no care in appearance’.
Duty Unprofessional Behavior
A guard needs to be respected and attentive. Warning signs include:
– Talking to people on duty inappropriately
– Fail to be aware of their duties.
– Their interactions that are not courteous and not respectful.
Failure of Authority and Rule
Rules and respecting your supervisors should be followed by a guard. Issues here include:
– Operating outside of the protocols
It means a lack of respect or insubordination for someone of authority.
Giving in to your desires rather than following instructions and guidelines as you’re told.
Emergency Response assessment
Guarding is where you prove your worth during emergencies. Learn how to tell if they’ll be ready for high stakes situations.
Crisis Situation Panic
They’re also a risk to everyone if a guard panics. Look for:
– Acting stressed or confused with crises.
– If making sound decisions in unfamiliar situations.
– It often doesn’t end well. An inability to stay calm can very quickly escalate an issue.
Unable to Follow Emergency Procedures
They should be second nature to them. It’s a red flag if they hesitate. Signs include:
– Memory difficulty of or inability to perform, such as an emergency plan.
An inability to locate an evacuation route or procedure.
– They left unprepared by not participating in regular drills
Delayed Response to Alarms and Threats
In security, time is precious. It’s a problem if they take a while to respond to it. Watch for:
- Not very brave when alarms go off or we sense something fishy
It means having a pattern of delayed response to potential threats.
Lack of efficiency in dealing with emergencies that can prevent change
Why Do We Need Advanced Security Measures?
Need for security these days boils down to more than guards, there’s a lot of tools that provide safety. So what does a well rounded security setup look like?
How I use modern security technology
The missing part to your security team is the right tech. Essential tools include:
– Monitoring and immediate alert cameras and alarms
– Inaccessibility of unauthorized access
– Data protection in cyberspace
How to Put Comprehensive Security Plans into Effect
Proactive planning is good security. Ensure you’re covering:
– Identify vulnerabilities through round of thorough risk assessments.
Clear emergency procedure for staff
Answer:
Emergencies Procedures
– Training everyone on safety protocols on a regular work basis
Updating security protocals regularly
With threats changing, yours should change too. Important steps include:
– What you should know about new security technologies
Context:
The business environment is subject to constant change, necessitating continuous learning and adaptation to ensure the development of any business, especially digital technology-based business, in the face of new ideas and technologies that can strengthen the company’s identity.
– Review of, and updating of, policies to respond to emerging risk.
A way to continuously improve further.
Thinking of the Benefits of Professional Security Services
If you want to change the game and opt for professional security services, you should do it.
Highly Trained Personnel Access
Specialized knowledge and experience of professionals make them better in the real world.
There are enhanced Security Measures and Protocols
They use high technology and can plan their security plans to fit your personal needs.
Long Term Solutions at a cost Effective Price Point
Lowering insurance costs and reducing losses in the first place is what professional services can do for you.
Final Thoughts
Security of your business is all about having the right security person. If you are seeing signs of warning, such as not seeing any training, poor communication and unprofessional behaviour, you may wish to think about reconsidering your current setup. Just as you don’t select your electrician because you want to have peace of mind about starting your light bulbs, switching to a professional security service is not just for peace of mind — it’s smart business.
So what do I consider well trained as far as a security guard goes?
The security guard should have gone through the qualifies certifications and hands on experience and should be current in their security practices.
What do I do if my security guard doesn’t communicate well?
Watch how they follow protocol, work with teammates and work with the public, to see then how much you can tell about their communication skills.
How do you know if your security guard is unreliable?
Frequent absences, attendence that you aren’t paying attention to during patrols, and failure to report any incidents, are red flags.
Is it really so important how a security guard looks?
The way that people think about security is affected, and this starts by building a professional appearance by looking like they take their job seriously.
And when a security guard needs to respond in an emergency, what should they do?
But they should keep calm, be able to remember emergency protocols by the heart and act quickly to contain, or resolve the situation.
What are the reasons for hiring professional security?
Services that professionals have bring advanced skills, better security, and can be more cost effective option in the long run.