Hiring security guards to watch over your property 24/7 and perform regular rounds, especially during off-hours, can significantly improve your business’s security.
Round-the-clock security not only deters and disrupts ongoing crimes on your property. It also prevents liabilities, potential lawsuits, reputational damage, and other financial consequences of unlawful activities that could impact your business.
So in this simple guide on how to increase building security using a 24-hour guard, we’ll show you a step-by-step process on how to:
- Find reputable security personnel
- Develop a robust security plan
Skip the hassle of finding certified 24-hour security guards by partnering with a private firm, like Scout Security, that can find high-caliber guards in the Denver Metro and Colorado Springs areas for you. We can also help you develop a comprehensive security plan through detailed risk assessments. Call us now!
Finding the Right Security Company/Personnel
The first step is to scout for professional security personnel or a company that can meet your specific needs to make sure that you’ll get your money’s worth.
Step 1. Have multiple options and filter out which can meet your requirements and budget.
Considering multiple options will enhance your chances of finding the ideal service that matches your needs.
When choosing a security firm or personnel, ensure that they offer the specific services you require. This includes 24-hour manned security and other unique requirements you have like mobile patrols or CCTV surveillance to guarantee continuous monitoring day and night. It is also better if you hire a company that can customize its services to cater to your specific needs.
Also Read: Live Video Monitoring vs. Onsite Security Guards
Step 2. Consider the licenses, certifications, and training of the security personnel.
You should also consider the following key aspects regarding the qualifications of the security company/personnel:
- Training: Security guard training is important in the industry. Check if the security personnel have undergone rigorous professional training in security measures and emergency response. This ensures that they can handle various security scenarios and respond to emergencies swiftly and effectively.
- Certifications and Licensing: Licensing is mostly required for security guards depending on your state, especially if the job requires carrying a firearm. Private security firms must also possess the required certifications and licensing to ensure that they are operating legally.
- Insurance Coverage: Working with a fully licensed and insured security company, like Scout Security, will save your business from costly lawsuits and other legal matters in case of unforeseen circumstances.
- Experience: This is another crucial factor to consider if you want to get high-caliber guards you can trust. For instance, Scout Security employs not only highly trained, certified, and insured guards but also those with military and law enforcement backgrounds.
We’ve also written a blog on the factors to consider when hiring a security guard company here that includes a guide for:
- Understanding your needs before hiring
- Creating a security guard profile
- Writing a job description and requirements
- Preparing the right interview questions
Tips in Finding the Best 24-Hour Security Guards: Skills & Qualities to Look For
There are specific skills and qualities that a security guard should possess to guarantee that they can perform their tasks legally and effectively without causing any damage.
These include the following:
- Physical fitness/strength
- Alertness/vigilance
- Observation skills and judgment
- Verbal and written communication skills
- Honesty and integrity
- Assertive and conciliatory attitude
- Training
- Experience
- Punctuality and preparedness
- Courtesy and respect
- Professionalism and customer service
- Leadership and teamwork skills
- Knowledge of applicable rules and regulations
- Ability to maintain order
- Hard-working and flexible
Read our blog on the top qualities of a good security guard for a more detailed discussion.
Develop a Comprehensive 24-hour Security Plan
You can do this step before hiring in-house guards that you will employ under your company. This makes sure that you are hiring the right number of security guards who possess the skills you want for the roles and responsibilities you are going to assign them.
If you will be working with a private security firm, find one that is experienced enough to help you devise a robust security strategy including an emergency preparedness plan. Scout Security can help you with this.
Step 3. Identify your specific security needs, especially the risks and vulnerabilities you want to address.
Risk assessment is the most important step in creating an effective security plan to eliminate any gaps.
Our wide range of services includes detailed risk assessments of your property to identify the following to ensure adequate coverage:
- Specific security incidents that need to be addressed
- High-risk areas that need enhanced security
- Strategic positioning of security guards
- Security risks such as poor lighting, access control issues, etc.
- The appropriate type of security needed
- The right number of security guards
- Frequency of patrols
- Patrol routes and schedule
Also Read: 15 Different Types of Security Guards & What They Do: A Guide for Property Managers
Step 4. Develop security policies including the duties and responsibilities that your security personnel will follow.
It’s crucial to establish clear policies and job responsibilities that detail how the security guards will:
- Interact with your employees and guests
- Perform their daily tasks including patrols
- Act during security breaches and emergencies
These policies help streamline your operations and minimize legal liabilities.
For instance, how do you want the guards to report incidents to you? Do you have specific areas, equipment, or people you want them to guard? What are your emergency protocols that they should follow? Do you want them to also perform concierge duties like greeting guests, answering calls, handling packages and mail, etc.?
In addition, guards can also monitor and report maintenance, parking, and other issues aside from security threats to ensure that all operational aspects are covered comprehensively.
Important: Include logging all activities, incidents, and actions taken during the guards’ rounds as part of their duties.
Security guards should conduct regular and logged patrols to ensure continuous monitoring and accountability. Detailed patrol reports and documentation can also help in identifying gaps in your security plan as well as aid in investigations to avoid liabilities in case of unexpected problems.
Also Read: 12 Top Duties & Responsibilities of a Security Guard
Step 5. Create an emergency preparedness plan.
An emergency preparedness plan is an important part of your security policy in enhancing building security 24/7. It will help minimize potential risks and damages as much as possible.
As we’ve mentioned, consulting with a security professional like Scout Security can help you develop and implement effective emergency response protocols for various types of security threats. This will ensure safe and orderly evacuations in case of worst-case scenarios.
You should update your emergency plan when needed to help you address new threats and conduct drills to test the effectiveness of your strategies.
Moreover, the tasks of 24/7 security guards can include making sure that your alarm systems and other emergency devices are in good working condition. They can also look out for hazards that could impede emergency response and evacuation procedures such as blocked exit routes.
You should also read our blog on the benefits of hiring 24-hour fire watch guards for your business here which discusses early detection of fire hazards, compliance with fire safety codes, and preventing liabilities.
Also Read: The Role of Security Guards in Emergency Response
More Tips in Increasing Building Security With a 24-Hour Guard
#1. Opt for 24/7 security if you are running a high-risk business.
A 24-hour security guard is particularly important for high-risk businesses and establishments such as:
- Construction sites
- Warehouses
- Vacant properties
- Manufacturing and industrial facilities
- Factories
- Processing plants
These sites are often targeted for theft and vandalism due to the valuable assets they contain and periods of low activity. They are also prone to trespassing and fire hazards that could lead to liabilities and lawsuits.
Also Read: How Can Uniformed Security Guards Deter Crime in Your Business?
#2. You can hire dedicated security guards and/or mobile patrollers for larger areas.
Dedicated security guards are stationed at fixed locations and provide a constant presence at your site. They enhance your property’s safety through visible deterrence, random checks, and immediate responses to incidents.
Mobile patrol services complement this by covering larger areas. It involves guards using vehicles to patrol your entire property through strategic routes and often at random schedules to discourage wrongdoers. They can also discover early signs of suspicious activities, identify vulnerabilities, disrupt ongoing crimes, and respond to security breaches rapidly.
Also Read: 11 Problems a Security Guard Can Help You Solve
#3. You can also utilize remote guarding to supplement security guards and eliminate surveillance gaps.
Remote guarding involves using advanced technology to enhance building security and improve site-wide monitoring while eliminating surveillance gaps.
By integrating CCTV cameras, motion sensors, video analytics, AI, and more, you’ll get comprehensive monitoring that prevents potential security breaches and ensures a quicker, coordinated response in crises.
Also Read: 6 Advantages of Having a Hybrid Security Strategy
How 24-Hour Security Guards Benefit Your Business
To end this blog, below are what your business will get when you hire a 24-hour security guard for your property:
- Reduced risk of unlawful activities through visible deterrence and proactive crime prevention which can lower insurance premiums
- A heightened sense of security for your employees and customers to boost productivity and sales
- Prevention of costly liabilities and damage through quick emergency and alarm response
- Assistance in enforcing your company policies and rules to maintain order
- Improved customer services to enhance satisfaction
- Support for handling employee terminations
- Increased safety during events
- Effective conflict de-escalation
Also Read:
- 10 Benefits of Hiring a Security Guard to Protect Your Business
- 9 Ways Security Guards Can Prevent Vandalism
- A Complete Guide to Ensuring Building Security: 11 Helpful Tips
- The Role of Security Guards in Retail & Commercial Properties
FAQs
To improve security in your business, hire 24-hour security guards who can perform regular patrols and monitor your premises continuously, especially during off-hours. Partnering with a reputable security firm, like Scout Security, that can offer customized services such as manned guarding, mobile patrols, and CCTV surveillance is even better.
Make sure that you hire security guards who are insured, certified, and well-trained to handle various security scenarios effectively.
The golden rule for security guards is to remain vigilant at all times. They should maintain a high level of awareness and be prepared to act swiftly in case of any security threats or emergencies. They must also possess professionalism, integrity, and courtesy to ensure that they will provide the best services that meet your needs.
This means having security guards stationed at your property around the clock, every day of the week. It ensures a 24/7 security presence to deter crimes, conduct patrols continuously, and respond to emergencies swiftly. Thus, reducing the risk of property damage and enhancing the overall safety and security of your business.
Depending on their duties and responsibilities, their daily responsibilities may include the following:
– Controlling access and securing entrances and exits
– Conducting regular patrols
– Monitoring for any suspicious activities
– Enforcing your security policies
– Responding to incidents
– Completing logs and reports
– Customer service duties
Conclusion
Hiring a 24-hour guard for your business is one of the most cost-effective long-term investments that you can make. You can save a lot by preventing potential financial and reputational damage to your business due to liabilities and lawsuits. It also helps ensure the success of your business by boosting employee productivity and improving customer satisfaction.
Let Scout Security help you achieve your business goals by handling the security side of your operations for you. Our years of experience in working with various industries in the Colorado Springs and Denver Metro areas guarantee that you’ll get tailored security solutions that meet your needs. Contact us now!
