In the constantly changing realm of corporate security, businesses are always evaluating the most effective strategies to safeguard their personnel, assets, and information. There is often a belief that transitioning from contract security to in-house security will be more cost-effective and that the business will have a security team customized to their specific requirements. Let’s examine that perspective.

Expertise and Specialization

Contract security services offer specialized expertise, which is a significant advantage. These firms focus solely on security, so they have extensive experience and knowledge that in-house security teams may lack. They invest heavily in training, licensing, and staying updated on the latest security threats. This enables them to provide highly trained personnel capable of handling various security challenges. Additionally, a good contract security provider can customize security solutions based on specific business needs and have dedicated personnel stationed on-site. In contrast, building an in-house security team requires a significant investment in training and development.

Cost Efficiency

Cost is a crucial factor for any business decision, and contract security often has an advantage here. Hiring security services through a contract can be more cost-effective than maintaining an in-house team. In-house teams come with additional costs like salaries, benefits, training, uniforms, and equipment. With contract security, businesses can negotiate terms that fit their budget while avoiding the costs associated with full-time employees. Contract security providers also take on the risks and costs associated with any incidents, potential claims, or liabilities.

Flexibility and Scalability

Contract security services offer businesses flexibility by adjusting security presence based on current needs or threats, while in-house teams may struggle due to fixed staffing levels and slower response times for recruitment and training. This difference can lead to potential gaps in protection during transitional periods.

Technology and Innovation

Staying at the forefront of security technology is paramount in today’s environment. Contract security firms have the resources to invest in cutting-edge technology, such as AI-empowered scheduling systems and workforce management tools. These firms continuously update their technological capabilities to meet evolving threats, providing clients with state-of-the-art security solutions.

In-house security teams, unless part of a large organization with substantial resources, may struggle to keep up with technological advancements thus hindering their effectiveness.

Accountability and Performance

Contract security firms operate under service-level agreements (SLAs) that outline performance standards and accountability measures. These contracts provide businesses with clear expectations and recourse if standards are not met. The competitive nature of the security industry also drives contract firms to maintain high-performance levels to retain clients.

In conclusion, both contract security and in-house security offer distinct advantages, and the best choice depends on the specific needs and resources of the business. Keep in mind that contract security provides expertise, cost efficiency, flexibility, advanced technology, and accountability, making it an attractive option for many companies.   

Join Inter-Con at the 2022 Corporate Counsel Awards! Held at the Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles, this year’s live in-person event will honor Mr. Ray and all nominees as the Los Angeles Business Journal unveils the 2022 finalists and winners. 

All nominees have made great accomplishments within their organizations and communities, and it is a privilege to recognize the accomplishments and significant role that In-House Counsel plays in the success of a business enterprise, and their ongoing efforts to support our Los Angeles market. 

The October 31st special edition of the Los Angeles Business Journal will showcase all of this year’s nominees, and feature all of the finalists and honorees across numerous categories, so be sure to pick up a copy! 

In just five decades, NMSDC has made unprecedented strides, building a membership of 1,500+ corporate leaders, certifying over 15,000 MBEs, and helping them grow their annual economic output to $400 billion.

Join us at the NMSDC 50^th Anniversary Conference & Exchange from October 30 – November 2 to celebrate this pivotal point in history. Visit our team at booth #831, and learn how we can grow together in the decades to come.

Register today! 

Join us at SoFi Stadium for the B3 Conference + Expo!

The B3 Conference + Expo, formerly known as Minority Business Opportunity Day, is a 40-year Los Angeles legacy. This perennial event introduces highly capable MBEs to a wide variety of commercial entities in an effort to boost diverse supplier utilization. This year, the B3 event will be at the brand new SoFi Stadium to create an event you don’t want to miss!

Register today!  

San Diego- After a national search to find the right security firm to continue improving the approach to security and enforcement, the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) has been onboarding security officers from Inter-Con. The new security team began patrolling Trolleys, buses, and transit centers on Jan. 1. By the end of the month, about 190 Inter-Con officers will have joined the MTS security personnel on the ground. 

“The safety of our riders and employees is a top priority at MTS. We are confident Inter-Con officers will be a great addition to our security teams,” said Monica Montgomery Steppe, Chair of the MTS Public Security Committee and San Diego City Council President pro Tem. “We are excited to have these officers on board to advance many of the reforms we’ve implemented over the past few years and look forward to working with them to serve the public.”

“We want to provide a safe and secure experience for all MTS riders and employees,” said Nathan Fletcher, MTS Board Chair, and Chair, San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “This new team can help us ensure we meet our obligation to protect the public, our MTS team members and anyone who engages with MTS in a safe and professional manner.”

In July 2021, the MTS Board of Directors approved a new 5-year, $66 million contract with Inter-Con Security to provide security services on MTS vehicles and properties. The contract includes three base years with an option to extend for an additional two years. The contract went into effect on January 1, 2022.

Inter-Con’s 190 officers will join MTS’ 80 Code Compliance Inspectors to make up MTS Security. Together MTS Security officers are responsible for conducting fare inspections, acting as system ambassadors, supporting bus and rail operations and other employees in need, helping with lost and found, responding to the agency’s Ride Assured 24/7 text and phone hotlines and much more. The MTS service area covers 570 square miles, 62 stations, 53 miles of double-tracked railway.

“We have been working diligently to adopt principles, guidelines, and improve our officers’ training to a more sensible approach to security and safety enforcement,” said Al Stiehler, MTS Director of Transit Security and Passenger Safety. “Inter-Con presented an impressive work plan that aligns with our mission and is backed by the use of technology to track training and certifications.”

Inter-Con has 48 years working with both federal and state governments and employs a highly diverse workforce of over 30,000 employees across North and South America, Africa, and Europe, with sustained operational growth. Inter-Con provides tailored security services to Fortune 500 companies, public utilities, high net worth individuals, non-profit organizations, and federal, state, and local governments around the world.

“We at Inter-Con are thrilled to partner with MTS and its excellent management team. Inter-Con brings nearly 50 years of experience providing security programs that emphasize training, compliance, and customer service,” said Henry Hernandez, Inter-Con President and CEO. “We are committed to do our part to ensure the best possible experience for the passengers who rely on MTS on a daily basis.”

MTS operates more than 100 bus routes and three Trolley lines in 10 cities and unincorporated areas of San Diego. Frequencies and spans have been restored to near-pre-COVID-19 levels. Updated schedules can be accessed on the MTS website. MTS asks that people wear face coverings at all times and practice physical distancing when possible.

Read the original article here.

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System board Thursday approved a $66 million contract with Inter-Con Security to provide services on trolleys, buses and MTS properties.

The contract, for three years with an option to extend for an additional two years, will go into effect Jan. 1. At the same meeting, the MTS board also extended a diversion program for fare violators for another year.

“This is an important day for the future of MTS passenger safety and security,” said Monica Montgomery Steppe, a board member and chair of the agency’s Public Security Committee.

At MTS, Inter-Con, headquartered in Pasadena, will provide support by employing 190 public safety officers to patrol the system.

The MTS service area covers 570 square miles, 62 stations and 53 miles of double-tracked railway. Officers conduct fare inspections, act as system ambassadors, support bus and rail operations and other employees in need and helping with lost and found items, among other tasks.

“MTS engaged in a national search to find the right firm to continue our mission to improve our approach to security and enforcement,” said Sharon Cooney, CEO of MTS. “Inter-Con has 48 years in the business, working with both federal and state governments, and presented an impressive work plan backed by the use of technology to track training and certifications. We look forward to bringing them on board.”

In January, MTS named Al Stiehler – who most recently served as chief of field operations for the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the nation’s largest – as director of transit security and passenger safety.

Since July of last year, in the wake of the national protests over the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, MTS has been changing its security policies and procedures, including:

• adopting many of the principles in the “8 Can’t Wait” campaign as a guideline for its use-of-force policy;
• banning carotid restraints and choke holds, including the prohibition of applying knee pressure on the neck, throat or head;
• adopting a “duty to intervene” if MTS security officers witness excessive force by another employee, and
• conducting a third-party peer review of its security policies and procedures, and adding a community-based steering committee to assist with recommendations.

“We are committed to do our part to ensure the best possible experience for the passengers who rely on MTS on a daily basis,” Inter-Con CEO Henry Hernandez said.

In addition to hiring a new security contractor, the MTS Board also extended the Fare Evasion Diversion Program to Aug. 31, 2022.

The pilot program reduces fines, offers a community service option in lieu of payment and a new appeal window for fare violators. The purpose is to provide more flexibility for passengers who receive citations for not having a valid fare while riding buses and trolleys.

MTS is extending the pilot to get a better understanding of it, according to a statement. The COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult to fully analyze the program thus far, so the extension is intended to allow additional time to evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

View the original article posted on Times of San Diego HERE.

Inter-Con is excited to announce that Natalie Griffiths has been promoted to the position of Chief Compliance Officer.  Natalie will serve as Inter-Con’s first CCO, and – in addition to her current responsibilities – she will oversee Inter-Con’s domestic compliance program and will chair Inter-Con’s newly-formed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

Natalie brings a wealth of expertise to this new role.  In addition to supporting Inter-Con’s legal function as a senior lawyer for over a decade, Natalie has also served as Inter-Con’s Vice President of Compliance for the past three years, during which time she was responsible for maintaining compliance with labor laws, licensing requirements, health and safe codes, and various other obligations.

If you’re looking for a job that has meaning and allows you to assist and protect others, you might consider becoming a Security Officer or security guard. Security Officers work in a wide range of sectors, from the government to education to retail. They have the essential role of protecting the people and property at a specific location.

Many Security Officers have a background in law enforcement or have military training, but not all do. If you’re interested in learning how to become a security guard, you’ll need to consider the characteristics that many Security Officers possess and the skills you should develop to succeed on the job. 

How to Become a Security Officer

The requirements for a Security Officer vary slightly from state to state. They also differ based on whether a Security Officer will be armed or unarmed. If you are interested in pursuing a career as a security guard, consider the general requirements for most positions:

1. Basic Requirements

There are some basic requirements a person needs to meet before they can apply for a security guard position in the U.S. For the most part, you’ll need to be eligible to work in the U.S. That means you need to be a citizen or otherwise have the appropriate documentation stating that you are allowed to hold a job in the country. 

Most jobs have a minimum age requirement, as well. To apply for a position as an unarmed Security Officer, you should be at least 18-years-old. Armed security guard positions require a person to be at least 21-years-old. You’ll also need to be able to write, read, and speak English fluently. Ideally, you’ll also have a reliable method of getting in contact with your employer, such as a mobile phone or email address.

2. Education

While Security Officers do not generally require to have a college degree, most jobs require an applicant to have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. The specific training requirements to become a Security Officer vary from state to state. 

For example, in California, aspiring security guards need to take a skills training course before they earn certification. The course covers a variety of topics, from terrorism awareness to observing suspicious activity. Washington state also requires security guards to complete pre-assignment training before they can receive a license. The training covers the role of a security guard, observation techniques, terrorism awareness, and the proper way to take action and react in specific circumstances.

Although the exact length of your training will vary based on your location, you can generally expect to undergo eight hours of training before you start a job, up to 16 hours of training on-the-job, and an additional eight hours of continuing education each year. 

If you’re interested in becoming an armed Security Officer, you will likely need to complete additional training. A weapons permit is also a requirement for armed Security Officers.

3. Physical Health

You don’t need to be in the best shape of your life to succeed as a Security Officer, but it is important that you be in good overall health and physically capable of performing the demands of the job. Many Security Officer positions require you to be on your feet for several hours at a time. For example, you might need to walk frequently to patrol different areas of a business. In some cases, you might need to run to catch a shoplifter.

4. Background

A background check is part of the application process for becoming a security guard. Your employer will want to verify that you are who you claim to be. The background check will most likely include a criminal background check as well as a motor vehicle records check and a credit check. Many positions also require pre-employment drug screening.

If you are applying to be an armed Security Officer, you can expect an even more rigorous and thorough background check compared to if you were applying to be an unarmed Security Officer. You might need to agree to be fingerprinted for an armed guard position.

5. License and Certification

Whether you need to have a license or certificate to be a Security Officer depends on the state where you plan on working. In some states, you should have your certificate or license before you apply for a job. In others, you are granted a certificate after you receive a job offer, provided you meet the training and any other requirements. 

Security Office Career Statistics

As of 2018, 1,154,300 individuals were employed as security guards in the U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the opportunities for Security Officers to grow by about 4% over the next 10 years, meaning there should be an additional 40,600 positions available by 2028. Job prospects for an aspiring security guard should be good, due to an increase in the number of positions and to people leaving the field.

Security Officers work in a wide range of sectors, but some of the industries that have the greatest demand for security guards include:

• Armored car and guard services
• Education
• Healthcare
• Food services and accommodations
• Government

In 2019, the median salary of a security guard was $34,730. However, the amount you can earn as a Security Officer depends in large part on the sector you work in and your experience. Officers who work for the government tend to have the highest salaries, while salaries are often lower for guards who work in food service or for armored car services. 

What Makes a Great Security Officer?

Not everyone is cut out to be a Security Officer. Some people are better suited for the career than others. You can learn many of the skills and develop the traits needed to excel as a security guard, though. Knowing what it takes to become a top-notch security guard can help you better prepare for the role or can help you decide if the career is a good fit for you.

Security Officer Traits

Some of the skills and traits a security guard should have include:

• Patience: Although there are occasional bursts of activity and excitement during the course of a Security Officer’s shift, much of the time on the job is spent quietly observing your surroundings. Being patient is also essential for managing your response to clients and customers while on the job. If someone becomes belligerent or rude, you should remain calm and collected.
• Alertness: Whether your job requires you to observe people coming into and exiting a building, keep watch on the exterior of a building, or monitor surveillance video, you need to be able to stay alert and to note anything out-of-the-ordinary or suspicious. If you get drowsy when sitting or standing still or tend to become distracted easily, the job of a Security Officer might be more challenging for you.
• Honesty: Honesty is the best policy to have as a Security Officer. That means you are willing to tell the truth in any situation, even if it makes you look irresponsible. Along with being honest, it’s essential that you be unbiased and able to treat everyone the same, no matter their perceived background or social standing.
• Quick reflexes: As a Security Officer, your workday might be slow and uneventful for the most part, with periods of rapid activity or bursts of action. When a situation comes up, you need to be able to think fast and react quickly and accurately. You should be able to quickly take stock of a situation and decide how to respond appropriately, rather than making rash decisions that could cause someone to get hurt.
• Communication skills: Great Security Officers are excellent communicators. A security guard should have a combination of excellent verbal and written communication skills. They are able to explain the details of a situation to their supervisors or the police when needed. If they are involved in a tense situation, they need to be able to communicate with the participants to help defuse the situation. Even when nothing significant happens on the job, a security guard will usually need to submit a written report at the end of each shift.
• Leadership skills: Even if a Security Officer is not working in a supervisory position, there might be times on the job when they are required to take charge or to lead other members of their team. A security guard should know when to tell their team what to do and how to be lead a team during a challenging situation. They should be able to motivate others to take the appropriate action and should be able to delegate tasks equitably.
• Good judgment: Good judgment is another must-have for a security guard to have, particularly if they are an armed Officer. They should be able to gauge when it is appropriate to draw or use their weapon and when other methods will be more effective. 
• Physical fitness: A Security Officer doesn’t need to spend all of their off-duty time at the gym, but they should take their physical fitness seriously. Depending on the requirements of the job, they might need to be able to move quickly, lift heavy loads, or stand for hours on end.
• Team player: In addition to being able to step up and lead when needed, an excellent Security Officer should be a team player who knows when to step aside and let others lead. They should be willing to work with other guards on a shift to come up with the best plan for protecting the company or area they are securing.
• Timeliness: Many facilities need protection around-the-clock, so security guards often work in shifts. Being on time is a valuable trait in security guards, as they will most likely be relieving another team member from their shift. Timeliness also shows that a person takes their work seriously, that they respect others, and that they are willing to show up when needed.

How to Be a Great Security Officer

Along with having the traits and skills needed to be a Security Officer, knowing how to apply those skills on the job will help you excel. Here are some tips for how to be a security guard:

• Learn to listen and observe: Being observant doesn’t come naturally to all people, but it is something you can learn to do. Part of being observant includes minimizing distractions. For example, when you’re talking to another person, or are taking a walk in your neighborhood, put your smartphone away. Really pay attention to what’s around you. As you build up your observation skills, you can take notes on what you see. Eventually, noticing things that are unusual will become second nature.
• Think before you act: As a security guard, you’ll need to act quickly and respond appropriately in a variety of situations. Although time is of the essence, it’s still vital that you think before you take action to avoid causing harm to others or making a dangerous situation worse. 
• Be ready to keep learning: You’ll complete training before you begin work as a Security Officer and will most likely be trained on the job. However, you’ll also want to keep learning throughout your career. That can involve completing additional training courses or continuing education programs in security and law enforcement. It might also mean finding a way to broaden your skills, such as by learning about data security or active shooter response.
• Stay in shape: Being in shape will help you perform your best on the job, both physically and mentally. When you’re in shape, you’ll be able to meet the physical demands of the role. You might also notice that you’re able to think more clearly and make decisions more readily when you’re in shape. In addition to exercising, staying in shape can mean eating a healthy diet and making sure you get enough sleep each night.
• Keep tabs on your community: Staying connected to your community and being aware of any concerns or potential situations in your local area will allow you to be more alert on the job. If you know what the risks are, you’ll be better prepared to respond to them, should they occur while you are on the job.

Start Your Security Career With Inter-Con

Inter-Con Security has become one of the world’s largest security companies and currently employs thousands of people in the U.S. and across four continents. If you’re interested in joining our team or learning more about a career as a Security Officer, visit our careers page to learn more about our openings. We are frequently hiring unarmed and armed Security Officers for security guard positions in multiple locations. Read more about our open positions and submit your application today.

Your company will not survive if it’s not a safe place to be, no matter how impressive the inventory is. For anyone to want to shop or work at your business, your facility needs to make people feel secure and comfortable.

Protecting your facility and those who work with you is so important that it may seem overwhelming at times. You can’t constantly be patrolling the grounds yourself while managing the business, but you can’t trust just anyone to look out for your company with as much care as you would. So, how can you guarantee the safety of your company without personally overseeing security measures every day?

To keep their employees safe and protect their company’s property and reputation, more and more businesses have been hiring professional security guards. Though it’s already a multi-billion dollar industry, the private security sector is projected to keep growing. Why has the private security sector suddenly taken the world by storm? Keep reading to discover the many benefits of security guards and how you can take advantage of this service for your company.

When to Use Security Guards

Most corporations and organizations would benefit from some added security measures, but there are some facilities where having a professional security guard on-site is crucial to maintaining a safe environment and staying in business.

If any of the following descriptions apply to the place you are in charge of, now is the time to consider hiring professional security guards:

• Your business is located in a high-crime area: Facilities located in a high-crime region need a professional security guard to protect them from theft and signal to potential visitors that they’re a safe place within the area.
• You deal with expensive equipment: Businesses with valuable machinery like a construction company need a professional security guard to watch over the items stored on their grounds at night and on the weekends.
• Your employees are extremely busy: It’s a good idea for anywhere fast-paced, such as a hospital, to have a security guard watching for dangerous activity that might go overlooked by employees focused on completing their work duties quickly.
• You sell luxury retail items: Retailers that sell high-end products often rely on security guards to deter thieves, monitor suspicious activity, and keep store lines orderly.
• You offer financial services: Because of the money held at their buildings, banks and other financial institutions need security guards to provide extra surveillance and protection from potential workplace violence.
• You manage an industrial factory: Manufacturing companies tend to be frequent targets of vandalism and theft, but a professional security guard can keep track of who enters the property and verify visitors.
• You serve alcohol: Anywhere that offers alcohol should be prepared to handle a potentially violent outbreak. These establishments should have security guards on hand to break up fights and prevent property damage.
• You oversee a residential community: With a professional security guard on duty, residential community members can relax knowing that trespassing or safety issues will be handled properly. Hotels can benefit from the safe environment created by security guards, too.

What to Consider When Choosing a Security Company

Choosing a security company is a big decision, and you want to be careful to find a service that you know will do a superb job of protecting your organization. To make sure you get the best value of security services possible, consider the following aspects when deciding which security company to hire:

• Focus on security only: Choose a company that provides security services and security services only. A security company shouldn’t be dividing its attention or assets among any other types of services. To get the best service possible, pick a company solely focused on security services.
• Balance your budget: Although there should be no compromise on quality when looking to secure the safety of your facility, do keep in mind the size of both your building and budget. Your needs might not require the most expensive services available, so consider whether there are any extra measures you could go without.
• Perform background checks: Explore the background and experience of a security company before hiring it. Look into how their security guards are trained and whether their level of training is up to your standards. Also, make sure the security company itself is credible and not prone to making mistakes — you want your security guards to be helpful, not a liability.
• Consider performance history: Review the performance history of the company you’re considering. Learn from previous customers’ experiences, so you don’t make their same mistakes.
• Make sure you feel secure: Ultimately, make sure you are using a security service that you can trust. Doing a background check on a company and reading its reviews will help in this process, but listen to your intuition after interacting with representatives of the company and pay attention to whether they make you feel at ease. When in doubt, go with your gut.

Why Should You Use Professional Security Guards?

There are many benefits to using security guards at your facility. If you take the time to find the right company and perform the proper research, you’ll be sure to find a good fit. Here are a few reasons why you should consider security guards:

1. Minimize Loss

Hiring a professional team of security guards deters many types of crime, including assault, vandalism, and theft, which severely damage an organization’s reputation. If your business deals with high-end merchandise, professional security guards are key to deterring crimes that could impact your company’s finances and standing.

Research has shown that the use of security guards leads to 16% fewer victim-generated crimes than areas without security guards, meaning that having security guards protects your business from negative publicity. The mere presence of a security guard team will discourage criminals from targeting your facility and demonstrate that your corporation is safe and trustworthy. But if an incident does occur, security guards will be able to assist the law enforcement agencies in solving the case by providing video surveillance footage and reporting anything suspicious they noticed. This can lead to your items being recovered quicker and can minimize the disruption to your business.

2. Resolve Security Issues

Should a security threat arise, a team of security guards is your first line of defense against the issue. There is no time to second guess or hesitate during an unlawful invasion or crime on your company’s campus. That is when you need a highly skilled, trained security guard to take charge by responding quickly and efficiently.

Professional security guards know how to assess for safety risks, prevent suspects from getting away, interview witnesses, and secure victims. More than anyone else, a security guard is equipped to handle breaches of security and protect your company. Additionally, security guards will be able to assist you in preparing a loss prevention report if necessary.

3. Gain a Sense of Security

The mere presence of a trained security guard team gives people a greater sense of security and protection. Your staff and customers will all feel more cared for if there is a security guard on duty. This means that workers will be able to relax more and perform better on the job without having to worry about their personal safety. Creating this safe environment will boost your employee retention rate and increase the number of customers willing to work with you.

4. Get Help Faster

Instead of waiting for the police to arrive after calling about an emergency, have a security guard on the job to ensure the fastest response possible during a dangerous situation. While the police are driving to the scene, a security guard can monitor the threat and keep it under control. By keeping the incident contained, the damages can be kept to a minimum, and further injuries may be prevented.

5. Improve Peace of Mind

Being entrusted with the safety of others is a big responsibility that can be stressful. There is no way for you to constantly be monitoring the security of your facility while effectively doing your job. By hiring a professional security guard to be in charge of surveillance, you can rest assured that someone is vigilantly watching out for anything of potential concern.

Through a combination of video camera feeds and on-foot rounds, security guards are able to keep an eye out for suspicious activity at all times. With trained professionals on the job, you will be able to trust that your grounds are being well protected, freeing you to focus on other matters.

6. Assist Customers

Security guards must know every inch of a property to adequately guard it, meaning they can be of great help to any customer searching for a certain department or product. At night, security guards can also escort customers who feel uneasy walking through the parking lot alone. In this sense, security guards do double duty and allow you to save on hiring extra workers to do similar tasks.

7. Maintain Order

Security guards can be counted on to maintain order during times of unrest. For example, if there is ever a strike at your company, a security guard would be able to protect your staff or anyone else in danger during the demonstrations. If there is ever a violent outbreak, a security guard would know how to assess the threat and deter crimes. This quick thinking would protect your employees’ lives and minimize further production delays or delivery setbacks.

Professional security guards can also help you maintain order by managing crowds when necessary. During certain special events or times of the year, your business may be more prone to rowdy groups of customers, which could escalate to crowd crushes, mob fights, or riots. A security guard would protect your workplace by keeping these disorderly instances to a minimum and mitigating their effects.

8. Build Your Brand

It may come as a surprise that professional security guards can be an asset to your branding campaign. One way to incorporate security guards into your brand is to outfit them in your company’s uniform. This will keep your brand on customers’ minds and encourage them to associate your brand with positive things, like safety and security.

Keeping everything on brand, including your security guard team, will build your company’s reputation and elevate your brand.

Why Use Professional Security Guards vs. Hiring Internally?

After deciding that your facility would benefit from additional security, you still have to choose whether to use a third-party security company or hire a security guard from within your company. Although hiring internally might seem like a quick and easy solution, the benefits of employing a professional security guard far outweigh appointing a current employee to oversee security.

Here are the top three reasons to use professional security guards:

1. Work With the Best

Hiring a professional security guard is more beneficial than hiring internally because it will give you peace of mind that your facility is protected by a qualified individual. Although you should do your homework on the security service you choose, it is standard practice for security companies to run basic background checks on all their security guards. This means that you can rest assured, knowing you will be enlisting a cleared professional.

If you plan on hiring an armed security guard, the background check for them will be even more extensive and include an FBI background check. Because they are entrusted with weapons, armed guards must have no criminal record and pass fingerprint as well as state of mind tests to be legally allowed to carry a gun. These extra precautions are set in place so that you don’t have to worry about hiring anyone unfit to serve.

2. Get Better Protection for Less

Going through a third-party private company to employ a professional security guard is less expensive and more effective than hiring internally. By choosing to hire a professional security guard from an outside source, you’ll save money you would have had to spend training novice security guards and maintaining their certifications and skills. Keeping your security guards well-equipped can contribute to administrative costs and consume resources.

Aside from the financial advantages of hiring security guards from a reputable company, you will get the added benefit of having an experienced professional protecting your business. Typically, the trained security guards that are available for hire from a private security company come from a rich background of security work. Whether it be years as a professional security guard or previous experience as a military officer, you can be certain that the security guard you hired has the necessary skills to protect your facility.

3. Customize Your Security

Each agency, business, and organization has a unique set of security needs that requires a custom plan of protection. A quality security service company will be able to incorporate their professional security guards into your business place with minimal disruption. By working with you, your team of security guards will be able to come up with several security tactics tailored to your company’s specific needs while addressing any special challenges your facility may pose.

Through collaborating on this custom plan of protection, you will develop a relationship with your security guard team and naturally build up mutual trust.

Contact Inter-Con Security Today

Your company’s security is nothing to be considered lightly. That’s why Inter-Con Security has dedicated itself to the mission of supporting its clients in a way that is completely tailored to their needs.

To accomplish this goal, Inter-Con Security offers expert security, total monitoring, and solutions tailored precisely to your facility’s needs. At Inter-Con Security, we only employ Physical Security professionals who know how to safely handle various equipment in all situations. Our Solution Design Team will work with you to develop the best course of action for your company.

Inter-Con Security has the resources of a top-tier security company while being small enough to accommodate clients’ individualized requests. Our account managers continuously monitor the risks your company may face and provide rapid responses in emergency situations through our global network of offices, command centers, and reserve forces.

If you want to ensure your company is under the best protection possible and give yourself peace of mind, contact Inter-Con Security today.

What would your business do if a major disaster were to strike? It’s estimated that around one-quarter of businesses would be unable to reopen following a disaster. Although you might not want to consider the possibility of a hurricane, pandemic, security breach, or another type of catastrophe occurring, it pays to be prepared. One way to prepare yourself and your business for any type of emergency is by creating a disaster preparedness plan. 

Your company’s disaster preparedness plan should focus on emergency situations that your company is likely to face or that pose a plausible risk to your business. Ideally, the plan will include steps to take in the event of an emergency, as well as steps to take to rebuild and get your company back in operation afterward. Whether you’re about to start a new company or have an existing business that doesn’t have any sort of emergency plan, here’s what you can do to get started.

Why Your Business Needs an Emergency Preparedness Plan

Why should your company create an emergency plan? The primary reason is that disasters and emergency situations happen. Having a plan in place that allows you and your employees to respond quickly and appropriately in an emergency can make a big difference to the fate of your business. Even if the risk of something occurring seems small, it always pays to be prepared.

Benefits of an Emergency Preparedness Plan

Having an emergency plan ready to go will benefit your company in many ways, should a disaster occur. Here are some of the benefits of an emergency preparedness plan:

• Provides guidance on how to respond in the moment: In an emergency or otherwise challenging situation, it can be difficult to decide what to do or how to respond. When your company has a plan, guesswork is taken out of the equation. Everything is mapped out in advance, and roles are assigned to specific individuals, so that people know exactly what to do if a hurricane strikes, a violent intruder arrives, or a major public health disaster occurs.
• Offers your employees protection: Where would your business be without its employees? Creating an emergency plan allows you to protect the people who matter most to your company: your employees. The plan can include directions for them to shelter-in-place, provide guidance on what to do if they need to quickly evacuate, or set up a chain of communication in case information needs to be shared immediately. 
• Allows you to make the right preparations: Emergency plans aren’t one-size-fits-all. You can and should custom fit your company’s plan to your business. Focus on creating a response to the situations that are more likely to affect your business. If your company is based in an area that sees a lot of hurricanes throughout the year, then it’s vital that you have a plan in place to respond in case of a hurricane. Companies in areas that don’t see a lot of or any hurricanes are most likely better off focusing on other types of situations, such as what to do in the event of a tornado or a public health crisis.
• Helps your business recover more quickly: Although they can be separate, a business continuity plan is often part of an emergency preparedness plan. With a business continuity plan, your company has a map to guide it as it moves forward and gets back on its feet after a major catastrophe.

Types of Disasters and Emergencies

Disasters can be either naturally occurring, such as weather events, or human-made, such as security breaches. Review the most common types of disasters and emergencies and tailor your business’ plan to include the ones that are most realistic.

• Hurricanes: Hurricanes are accompanied by high winds that can cause significant damage to buildings and materials, as well as injury to people. 
• Earthquakes: Although often associated with the West Coast of the U.S., earthquakes can occur across the country. There is the risk of injury to people and damage to structures and property, depending on the strength of the earthquake.
• Fires: Fires can include wildfires, which often occur on the West Coast, as well as fires that are intentionally started or that occur as a result of electrical problems or other issues in a building.
• Floods: Floods can occur after a storm, such as a hurricane or because of an issue with a human-made structure, such as a levy or dam.
• Tornadoes: Like hurricanes, tornadoes are also associated with high, destructive winds. Unlike hurricanes, tornadoes can develop without warning. If your business is in a region where tornadoes are prevalent, having a response plan in place is particularly critical.
• Pandemics and epidemics: Public health situations can be widespread, affecting people across the globe, or they can be locally contained. Although a pandemic or epidemic might not cause physical damage to your business, it can slow your company down, put your employees at risk, or lead to a loss of revenue. 
• Data breaches: A data breach can affect your company’s reputation and can lead to a significant loss of revenue, depending on the information that is stolen. Having a plan for responding after a data breach is a must to allow your company to regain the public’s trust.
• Active shooter or violent intruder event: An active shooter or violent intruder event occurs when an individual has the intention of harming people at your place of business, whether they are co-workers or customers. Developing an active shooter response and incorporating it into your emergency plan will allow your company to be prepared in the event of a potentially dangerous situation.

How to Decide What to Focus on With Your Emergency Plan

Ideally, your business emergency plan will focus on the disasters that pose the biggest threat to your company. In the case of natural disasters, it’s usually best to focus on the type of events that are more prevalent in your area. For example, a business based in California might decide to create a plan to respond to an earthquake rather than a hurricane. A company based in Florida will most likely need to have a plan in place for responding to hurricanes.

Even though the threat of some types of disasters, such as pandemics, can seem remote, no matter where your business is located, it’s still a smart idea to have a plan in place for responding to a public health crisis. The odds of one occurring might be very low, but it still pays to be prepared.

Assess How an Emergency Would Affect Your Business

When developing your business emergency plan, one thing to consider is how a particular disaster or situation would impact your company. Not all emergencies are the same — some can have short-term effects, while others might cause longer-lasting complications. Some of the ways a disaster could affect your business include:

• Loss of income: If your company has to close as a result of a public health issue or natural disaster, there is the chance that your business will lose a considerable amount of revenue. Your emergency plan can include a calculation of how much income your business might lose and a plan for making up the income or for getting by without it.
• Higher expenses: A natural disaster might lead to higher costs for your company, such as increased insurance premiums or expensive repair bills. If your team needs to work overtime to get back on track after the situation, your company might also have an elevated payroll.
• Increased employee turnover: Depending on the type of emergency, employees might leave the company, either because they have been forced to move as a result of storm damage or because they didn’t feel they were adequately protected during the event. Your company’s plan should include a roadmap for retaining employees after an event and for providing your team with the attention and support they need to heal after a challenging situation.
• Loss of customers: Customers might feel that they can no longer trust your business after a data breach. If your company has to stop operating for a period after a storm or as a result of a public health situation, your customers might turn to other businesses.

With an awareness of the impacts a disaster could have on your business, you can develop a plan to help it get through a challenging situation and help it survive and thrive.

Tips for Creating a Business Emergency Plan

Developing a disaster preparedness plan for businesses is usually a multi-step process. In addition to considering the type of disasters or emergency situations your company could face, it’s important to consider your different response options. As you create a plan, these tips can help you make sure that it is comprehensive.

1. Consider a Variety of Scenarios

Your business’ response will vary based on the type of situation it finds itself in. Your response to a hurricane will be considerably different from your response to an active shooter or a public health crisis. For that reason, it’s important that you have a detailed response plan for each type of emergency. 

As you consider the scenarios that might come up, assess the damage that each one could cause to your company, the risk of a particular scenario occurring, and what you will need to appropriately respond to it.

2. Develop a Response Plan

More likely than not, a response will be required in the event of an emergency. How people at your company respond to a situation depends on the risk and what’s at stake. Generally speaking, there are four ways to respond in the middle of a disaster:

• Evacuate
• Shelter
• Shelter-in-Place
• Lockdown

Before a significant weather event, such as a hurricane, your best option might be to have the building evacuated. Your plan should include details on how to quickly and safely get everyone out of the building and how to confirm that the building has been fully evacuated. It’s also worthwhile to have a map of the building with emergency exits marked and with possible escape routes outlined.

Sheltering and shelter-in-place are similar but are used in different situations. You might ask people in the building to seek shelter if a tornado is on the way. Sheltering usually involves moving away from rooms with windows and finding a place on the interior of the building. In the event of a situation outside of your building, such as a chemical leak, you might need to shelter-in-place to avoid exposure. 

If a dangerous person is in the area near your business or in the building itself, a lockdown might be required. During a lockdown, people find a safe spot and secure it as much as possible. They might lock the doors or barricade the windows, for example.

3. Know How to Communicate in a Crisis

Communication is key to your business’ survival during and after a crisis. Having a strong communication plan in place also ensures that your employees and customers are kept safe. When developing your emergency response plan, choose specific individuals to serve as the primary communicators. For example, you might want to assign a manager in each department the responsibility of distributing the plan to employees within that department. The managers should also be responsible for sharing updates or new pieces of information with individuals. 

Having accurate emergency contact information for every employee is also essential. If an employee should be harmed during a situation or if they need a ride home, your team should know who to get in contact with.

It’s also vital that your company have a communications plan in the event of a situation that affects your customers. For example, if a data breach should occur, you want to be able to control the message. Having a plan to communicate the details of a situation and to share how your business is responding to it will help you avoid lasting damage to your company’s reputation.

4. Offer Training

Your business response plan should include training and educational programs for your staff. People need to practice to learn how to respond in the event of a natural disaster or active shooter. Offering training programs and drills will equip your team with the knowledge they need to respond swiftly and appropriately if a real-life crisis occurs.

5. Develop a Recovery or Continuity Plan

Your business continuity plan can be part of your emergency plan, or it can be a separate document. What matters is that you have a plan in place for getting your company back on track after a significant event. The continuity plan can include methods of avoiding damage to your company as a result of a crisis. It should also outline ways to recover, such as financial resources to consider or assistance programs to check out.

6. Review and Update the Plan Frequently

Just like your company’s strategic plan, your business emergency plan is a document that is likely to need regular review and occasional updates. As the world changes and risks evolve, it is a good idea to review the plan at least once a year to make any changes to it or to account for changes in your business’ operations.

How Inter-Con Security Can Help You Plan for an Emergency 

Since 1973, Inter-Con has offered comprehensive security solutions to governments and businesses. Our services include physical security, active shooter response training, and disaster and emergency response. Whether your company needs assistance in developing an effective emergency plan or is looking for specialized training to best prepare for your team for a crisis situation, we can help. 

Contact us today to learn more.