Are you the primary supervisor at a warehouse or construction site? Perhaps you’re organizing a large event in a public area? Or, maybe you manage an office?
In any case, you’ve got a need for professional security services.
In order to secure those security services, you’re going to have to speak to a security consulting company. This partner will be able to assess your security needs, and then supply you with the security that you require.
Not all security consulting companies are created equally. In order to ensure that you’re hiring a legitimate company, there are several things that you must know.
Here are 6 questions to ask when hiring a securing consulting company.
1. How Long Has Your Company Existed?
The very first thing you must ask a security company when you’re considering hiring them is how long they’ve been in business. If a company has been in business for 10 years, it’s most likely because it offers exceptional service.
Not to mention, the longer a company has been in business, the more experience it has under its belt. A security company that has been around for a long period of time will know proper codes, understand different situations, and have connections with existing authorities. In essence, it will be prepared for any security situation that may arise.
While relatively young security companies might still provide exceptional service, there’s little way to know for sure. If a company doesn’t have its ducks in a row, but you hire it anyway, it may be you who suffers.
You may have to spend a little more money, but it will be worth it to receive tried and true security.
2. Are You Properly Licensed?
The next thing you’ll want to know about a security company is whether or not it has secured the proper licenses. To put it simply, a security company without a license is not a legitimate security company.
There are certain qualifications that security companies are required to have, and licensure within their respective states is one of them. The vast majority of states require the same measures in order for a company to earn its license. These measures include participating in a background check and registering a designated manager.
All legitimate security consulting companies are also licensed with their state’s Department of Public Safety. This ensures that all of the employees at the company are in good legal standing.
If you hire an unlicensed security company, you are putting yourself at serious risk.
3. How Do You Train Your Guards?
When you bring in security for your event or property, you want to ensure that it’s prepared for any type of breach. In order for a security team to be ready for anything, it needs to be trained in everything. This is why you need to inquire as to what type of training a security company has put its guards through.
Security guards need to receive training of all types, from classroom training to hands-on training. Specific types of training you should ask about include weapons training, risk assessment training, counter-terrorism training, and public interaction training.
Of course, this is also dependent on what type of security you’re seeking. If you’re looking for guards to secure your warehouse, you probably don’t have to worry about their abilities in counter-terrorism.
The point is to just make sure that the security you’re hiring is equipped to perform your specific job.
4. How Do You Keep Tabs on Your Guards?
You may be hiring a security company to guard your property or event, but that doesn’t mean that every guard on duty is going to do his or her job. That is, of course, unless those guards are being monitored by their higher-ups.
For this reason, you need to inquire as to how different security companies keep tabs on their active guards.
Guards should not be sent to a location and left to their own devices. They need to be in constant communication with their supervisors so that they’re up-to-date with any changes that may take place.
These days, a lot of security companies make use of GPS systems so that they can monitor the exact geographic location of their employees at all times.
Your security needs to be ready for anything at any time. The only way it can do so is by being constantly monitored by its superiors.
5. Are You Sufficiently Insured?
Security guards can come face-to-face with all types of turbulent situations. They may have to subdue a rowdy patron. They could suffer an injury while on the job.
For this reason, it’s vital that the security company you hire has the proper insurance coverage. If the company you hire does not have insurance, you could be held liable for any damages that happen while its employees are on your property.
At the very least, the security company should have liability insurance for its employees. But there are a few other insurances you should look out for as well. They all add up to keep you protected both legally and financially.
6. How Much Do Your Services Cost?
Before you sign any contracts with a security company, you need to be absolutely certain of around how much you’ll pay for its services. The last thing you want is to be surprised with a bill that you have no chance of paying.
It’s wise to speak with several security consulting companies so that you can compare their costs against each other. Some companies will charge additional money for specialized types of security.
Be wary, however, of companies who charge substantially less than other security companies. If they charge a lot less to the customer, it’s likely because they’re sub-standard in some capacity — likely in the training of their guards or in their technological capabilities.
Hire a Proven Security Consulting Company
If you’re seeking a legitimate security company to keep your warehouse, factory, construction site, or event safe and protected, OPS Security Group is just who you’re looking for.
We provide security and security solutions for private and public entities in sectors of all kinds.
Contact us to discuss your security needs.
