Why you should choose an ACS approved security company

In recent years the security sector has exploded and when searching for a security company the market is wider than ever before. Though there is a lot of competition out there, here at G3 Security Ltd we are confident in the quality of service we provide. A signifier of this is our ACS accreditations and approval. Most security companies nowadays are regulating on their own terms however we are proud to say that we as an employer of guards and a supplier to clients, are proud to have high ethical and moral standards and codes of conduct that ensure that we are working in accordance with the law and additionally going the extra mile for our clients and employees. Down below is a little bit on information that clients should know when considering the differences between an ACS proved security company and a regular security company. Using an Approved Contractor Choosing an ACS accredited supplier for the provision of your contract security services will help you to meet your security obligations to your staff, shareholders and other stakeholders. Approved contractors are demonstrably committed to customer service and the compulsory licensing of their staff. This means their customers can rest assured that every private security operative deployed on their premises will be working within the law. The benefits of using an Approved Contractor are wide-ranging and briefly summarised below   Continuity of Service Suppliers of security services who are not Approved Contractors are only able to deploy staff that physically hold a valid SIA licence; to do otherwise is a criminal offence. Approved Contractors could be given special dispensation to deploy staff who have completed their training and are waiting for their SIA licence application to be processed. Approved Contractors will therefore be able to offer greater flexibility and operational effectiveness when supplying security services. Best Practice and Continuity of Quality You can be confident that the employment practices of the supplier have been extensively assessed in respect of quality and best practice. Should the Approved Contractor sub-contract, you can be assured that they will only do so to other SIA Approved Contractors, thereby maintaining the integrity of your security supply. Clear Customer Focus and Increased Flexibility You can expect effective customer-focused procedures in place to overcome any issues that arise in service delivery. The ACS Standard encourages service customisation, rather than ‘off-the-shelf’ packages. This will help ensure that the services delivered more closely reflect your precise requirements. Leadership and Innovation The ACS is a progressive quality initiative. It’s also a voluntary scheme. You can expect accredited providers to be highly responsive to change and swift to adopt new methods and best practices. The Extended Police Family The status of the ACS is recognised by the police and offers the potential for enhanced working relationships. The aim is to provide practical benefits through ‘joined-up’ police, business and community initiatives. ACS approved companies have a quality standard chain of supply. This ensures that everything that they buy has been through quality management regulations by their suppliers for ethical purposes. ACS approved businesses have good payment records to both their suppliers and their employees. ACS approval also ensures that all the guards that are provided to clients are screed thoroughly as according to B57858/2012 standards. G3 Security Ltd hold very high standards of work hence why we have been awarded major contracts by businesses that share our moral and ethical interests. If you would like more information on the benefits of working with an ACS approved company, I have linked below a handbook you are able to read through. Additionally, if you would like to enquire about out services, please do not hesitate to get in contact either via out website on www.G3security.co.uk or have a chat with one of our customer service advisers on 02032880000 or 02032880011.      

The importance of a detailed site risk assessment in the security industry

Site risk assessment before commencement of any new sites Risk assessment is a logical as well as consistent method of assessing the assets, their vulnerabilities, associated risks and their impact. By conducting a detailed site risk assessment, you can reduce the damage from any potential risks to an acceptable cost. To understand the importance of a detailed site risk assessment in the security industry, we need to familiarise ourselves with a few terms: Risk – It is the potential of loss or damage to an asset. Asset – It can be a person or property, information or activity; anything with value to it’s owner. Impact – It is the amount of damage or loss that could be caused by an adversary. Threat – It is the potential to cause damage or loss to the asset. Adversary – It can be anyone – a group or an individual, that wants to cause damage to an asset. Vulnerability – It is any weakness that can be used by the adversary to access the asset. Countermeasures – These are actions on the part of the owner, taken to reduce vulnerabilities. Cost-Benefit Analysis – It is part of the decision making process where the management considers the costs and benefits of each proposed alternative and selects the most viable option available. What can a professional Risk Manager do for you? While identifying potential security risks for your site, the Risk Manager would look for ways to: Reduce damage to your business Eliminate or control any indicators Utilise your security budget in a cost-effective way Minimise intelligence collection by any adversaries They will then formulate a strategy to – Identify vulnerabilities in security Manipulate indicators to deceive your adversaries Apply countermeasures Modify countermeasures from time to time The strategy they develop would depend on the needs of your organisation, the current laws and policies in place, expected risks to your site as well as your security budget. With a professional risk assessment of your new site, we will assess your assets, threats to them and  any vulnerabilities that can be exploited. We will then go on to assess risks and devise countermeasure options for you to implement, and at each step of the way we will advise you with the costs and benefits, so you would always know what to expect and decide on what is necessary. For a FREE site risk assessment call us now on 020 3288 0000/0011 or email  info@g3security.co.uk. Powered by Colm

Why security automation can never replace security guards

With the advent of sophisticated technology in the security industry, many private and public sectors have turned towards it for their security solutions. This has resulted in creating the conception that there is no more need of security guards. Which is an extremely dangerous idea, both for the companies and the security industry. Here are a few points why technology can never replace security guards Flexibility: Unlike technology which can be installed only at particular set points and have limited scanning perspective which can create blind spots, security guards provide the advantage of movement. Decision-making: Programmed systems can handle only a set of problems. Security guards are versatile decision-makers and capable of adapting themselves to any unexpected situations. Real-time response: Quick response is an important aspect when it comes to security. Compared to automated systems which only prompt police officials during emergencies, security guards respond and can tackle emergencies in a very short period. Cannot be hacked: In today’s world, where every system is prone to hacking, trained security guards provide a reliable solution. A human element: Having security guards taking care of you provides a sense of assurance which no amount of technology can. Also, unlike technology, the interaction is more direct and rich. Human barrier: From a thief’s point of view, it is extremely easy for him to plan and overcome technology than a security guard. The reasons being the unexpectedness and emotional elements which come with a security guard. An intruder will think twice before attacking a security personal rather than technology for the fear of an undesired outcome. Having stated the above, there is no intent of devaluing technology in any way. It’s just to showcase how some aspects covered by security guards are irreplaceable. In-fact, with proper training and knowledge, if we could couple guards with technology, it could prove to be the ultimate security solution.

Security tips for retail businesses

Retail business owners are often targeted by miscreants as well as robbers and burglars. In order to keep their business safe and running, they need to follow a comprehensive security policy that should involve electronic as well as manual surveillance. Here are a few tips to get you started: 1. Proper Lighting Care should be taken to provide proper lighting for all areas on the premises. Any dark corner can be used by thieves to sneak in. Both entry and exit points, should be well lit from inside and outside. Also at night the inside lights should be left switched on. 2. Building Design Re-evaluate the design of the building. Check to see if it is properly constructed to prevent any intrusion. Is the roof safely protected? Is it safe against vehicle ramming raids? 3. Windows and doors Check whether all doors and windows are constructed solidly. They should also be fitted with deadlocks and kept locked at all times unless needed. Also secure any skylights. 4. Property records Record all identification evidence about your properties such as computers, photocopiers, printers, etc. Keep them stored in a separate location. Also take some photographs of your property for identification purposes. 5. Telephone Keep all emergency contact numbers close to your telephone set and if possible have them programmed in quick dial. Also ensure against tampering of telephone lines. 6. Vaults and safes If there are safes installed in the office, make sure they are properly fastened and bolted to at least two different walls. Also keep them safely out of sight and properly locked at all times. 7. Cash handling and transfer Devise proper cash handling procedures and make sure that you don’t have any set banking procedures that could be easily identified and targeted by miscreants. Also, restrict your cash handling duties to only those trusted and always count the cash away from public view. If you deal with sufficiently large sums of money, you should consider hiring a safe cash transport  service. 8. Restricted access to keys Safely store and secure all keys with access restricted to only those who are in-charge and directly responsible for the task. Also provide a separate locker area to staff where they can store their personal valuables safely, when at work. 9. Surveillance and alarms Install intruder alarm as well as fire alarm systems in the property. Also install proper surveillance equipment (such as CCTV) as required and monitor the footage regularly. Keep recorded footage for at least a week at hand. 10. Documents and passwords Don’t store your passwords on your desk and change them frequently. Also destroy any sensitive documents properly and dispose them safely. Apart from following the above guidelines, you should also have proper insurance policy in place for your business and you should review it regularly in case you need an upgrade. For more tips on safeguarding your business and for any questions regarding security guards and monitoring, contact us directly at 020 3288 0000 or 020 3288 0011.