Atlanta, GA – The question of hiring an outside guard services firm or forming your own internal security department has bewildered managers for decades. The growth of the private guard services industry indicates that more companies are choosing to go the contract route. What are the benefits of hiring outside guard services?
#1 Reason – Ease of Administration of Security Program
Business owners should stick to their core competency to maximize results. Every business has realized the value of outsourcing – whether its bookkeeping, IT or building maintenance business owners of this generation understand the importance of focusing on their specialty and hiring other experts to support them.
The management team of a professional security firm should make a business manager’s life easier by relieving them of the stress of managing their security department.
Guard Staffing Flexibility
Contract security guard firms have a deeper bench of talent to draw from. If your Security Guard is going to be out ill or on vacation, that firm has other officers that can be pulled in to provide coverage during the absence. If your business has a special event requiring extra security coverage, your contract security firm can easily bring in additional guards to support you during this time.
Impartiality of Security Officers
It is often suggested that contract guards can more effectively enforce regulations and procedures than an internal employee. Guards employed by a different employer have less loyalty or feelings of influence by in-house employees. Their job loyalty is to the guard services firm that can easily move them to another location as necessary. This produces a more consistently impartial performance of duty.
Expertise & Training of Guards
When contracting with a security firm, you are not only hiring a security guard, but the expertise of the management team. These managers should be your consultants, assisting in developing, implementing and refining security policies and procedures regularly. Their experience in working with clients across the community should provide them insights that can be brought to benefit in your organization as well. Look for a management team that is active in the security industry and participates in continuing education on a regular basis.
Contract security firms are experienced in teaching Security Officers regularly. They have established curriculum and materials that meet or exceed industry standards. Professional trainers are able to modify their standard training programs to meet the specific needs of your organization.
Cost of Security Program
Most experts agree that contract guard services are less expensive than a proprietary unit. These cost savings occur in several areas. Most security guards receive fewer fringe benefits than the in-house personnel of a company. More importantly, specialized security firms are able to achieve efficiencies in management and operation of a guard force that most businesses cannot achieve. Training cost and quality can be greatly improved by a firm that specializes in conducting security training on a regular basis for larger numbers of Officers. Guard services firms have the resources to develop appropriate equipment and training materials more efficiently.