Advantages of a secure workplace, with a proactive security presence:
Enhanced Safety and Security
Deploying a professional, corporate security company equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance systems acts as a visible deterrent to potential threats such as theft, vandalism, and unauthorised access. The physical display of a professional security service acts as a barrier to troublemakers and thieves, and in the event of any incidents or emergencies, ensures an immediate and effective response.
Emergency Response
In the event of medical emergencies, fire outbreaks, or security breaches, a dedicated security presence can significantly minimise potential damage and harm. Security Officers, trained to handle stressful occasions, can effectively manage emergency services, evacuations, and other special requirements needed in the event of emergency.
Access Control
Entrusting a security company with access management prevents unauthorised individuals from entering a building. This not only provides peace of mind for business owners, employees, and customers but also positively influences the workplace atmosphere. Access control minimises the risk of unauthorised entry to sensitive or hazardous areas.
Regulatory Compliance
Implementing a round-the-clock security and surveillance service ensures that businesses meet specific legal requirements and regulations, guaranteeing total compliance and preventing legal issues in the aftermath of an incident.
Asset Protection and Risk Mitigation
Beyond safeguarding valuable assets, equipment, inventory, and intellectual property, a security presence aids in risk mitigation. Security professionals assess potential security risks and develop strategies to minimise them, reducing the likelihood of security incidents and maximising asset protection.
Investing in the services of a professional, proactive security company is indispensable for protecting business assets, people, and reputation. Security professionals bring their expertise, training, and resources to create a safe and secure environment, pivotal for the success and continuity of any business.
Key Factors When Selecting Security Services
Expertise and Communication
- A Proven Track Record Matters: Prioritise security service providers with a proven track record of delivering exceptional service. Look for businesses experienced in securing premises similar to yours, whether it’s a retail outlet, warehouse, or business estate. This builds confidence in the safety of your property.
- Emergency Handling Procedures: Enquire about the security company’s procedures for handling emergencies such as burglary, fire, or health crises. Understanding their response mechanisms helps you gauge their adaptability to your business’s needs.
- Quality Training is Key: Evaluate the training and experience of the security team, as this will be fundamental to meeting the specific security demands of your business. For instance, at Samsic, our security company holds principal membership in the British Security Industry Association and has SIA Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) status for Security Guarding and Key Holding services. All our team members are SIA licensed, guaranteeing qualification and compliance to manage emergencies and serve your business effectively.
- Effective Communication is Essential: Communication and transparency are crucial in security contracts. Ensure your security provider maintains open lines of communication for incident reporting, identification and resolution of service gaps, and delivering a robust security service. A partnership with security officers who communicate well enhances their ability to monitor safety and prevent potential incidents.
- Customer Service Commitment: Look for a security provider committed to excellent customer service. A team that considers themselves part of your business fosters a strong relationship. At Samsic, our Security Officers are often considered part of our client’s teams, contributing to excellent rapport and earning commendations for proactive improvements.
Reputation and Experience
- Reputation Matters: When selecting a security provider, their reputation is critical. A robust and functioning service is essential to instil confidence in potential customers. A positive reputation is a key element for peace of mind.
- Build Confidence with References and Testimonials: Access references, testimonials, and a company’s ethical standards for insights into the provider’s ability to cater to specific needs. Look for references spanning various industries, including your own. References and testimonials should highlight excellent customer service, effective communication, and quick response times.
- Timely Responses and Efficient Handling: Security services should showcase their ability to respond quickly and handle incidents efficiently. Timely responses to potential hazards are critical for minimising damage. References should demonstrate the provider’s capability to handle sites of varying sizes and respond promptly to incidents.
- Ethical Standards in Security Services: Ethical standards within Security Guarding involve prioritising individual safety, an unbiased approach, adherence to the law, and corporate compliance for both the supplier and the client. Guards act as the first responders to emergencies, preventing accidents and maintaining a secure environment, making high standards of professionalism and integrity crucial in demonstrating a commitment to ethical standards.
Customisation
Define Your Security Requirements
When selecting a security provider, it’s crucial to have a clear idea of your specific service requirements. Consider an on-site analysis to identify service gaps. At Samsic, we conduct on-site visits to review security and provide personalised suggestions, ensuring clients are well-informed of the options available to them and can make decisions tailored to their needs.
Samsic’s Security Service Offerings
Explore Samsic’s dedicated security services, including:
- Static Guarding: Officers strategically placed to monitor and protect your business.
- Mobile Patrolling: Officers moving around the property, offering services like patrols, alarm response, lone worker support, and more.
- Key Holding: Rapid response to incidents or alarms, complying with BS 7984 for ensured efficiency.
- Alarm Response: Quick dispatch of local officers using GPS and real-time reporting tools for a complete audit trail.
- Void Property Management: Tailored solutions for unoccupied buildings, ensuring security and risk assessments.
- Technological Security Systems: Cutting-edge surveillance and innovations like SamTech, a cloud-based platform providing real-time reports and client support, and SentriKey, an auditable, secure key box offering cost-savings and reduced carbon footprint. SentriKey provides cost-savings of 40% compared to traditional methods, reducing the carbon footprint by 50%. SamTech offers paperless reporting and staff support.
Clear Costs and Contracts
Ensure clarity on costs and contracts when entering into an agreement with a new supplier. Clearly define what services are included and outline any additional costs for future ad-hoc needs.
Monitoring and Reporting
The integration of monitoring and reporting software significantly elevates the effectiveness of a security service, fostering enhanced communication and relationship-building opportunities between the service provider and the client. This capability enables the identification of service gaps, allowing security teams to dynamically reallocate resources to critical areas of the site. For service providers, it ensures accurate data and evidence of incidents, contributing to robust compliance measures.
Samsic’s own comprehensive remote security monitoring and management solution, SamTech, is accessible via a user-friendly app and leverages cloud-based technology to streamline the management of mobile patrolling and guarding.
SamTech, offers:
- Paperless time and attendance reporting
- Efficient payroll processing
- Real-time maximisation and prioritisation of guard coverage through live security alerts
- Support for security officer and lone-worker protection with GPS and NFC technologies
- Easy aggregation and analysis of collected data for benchmarking and reporting
- Fully customisable reports tailored to meet clients’ specific requirements, shared with all stakeholders
- A live dashboard providing clients with real-time insights into security staffing, operations, and compliance
Widely adopted across Samsic’s security operations, SamTech has garnered praise from clients like Pladis, where its implementation in 2019 transformed site monitoring and control. Centralised incident reporting, standardised threat analysis, and streamlined benchmarking underscore SamTech’s pivotal role.
Technology and Equipment
While a physical security presence acts as a visible deterrent, technology and equipment complement man-guarding services for complete security.
Cybersecurity technologies are used by Samsic’s security teams to monitor and assess potential security breaches. Breaches remotely trigger a security response that includes voice or alarm alerts or physical attendance by one of our officers. Digital forensics are employed to assess risk and safeguard properties and assets.
CCTV Security Systems
CCTV helps to reduce crime, acting as a deterrent and protecting people, assets, and property through identifying potential problems. Samsic UK CCTV security systems are installed and maintained by our dedicated, highly trained, and skilled service partners to NSI NACOSS Gold standards. We offer a wide range of visible and discrete electronic security solutions, including:
- HD IP & analogue surveillance systems
- Remote viewing and notifications
- Wireless & mobile transmission
- Control rooms and CCTV monitoring
Access Control
Access control security systems are installed to restrict, control, and manage the flow of people into, around and out of buildings. By enabling access to the right individual, area, and at the right times, security teams and clients have full awareness of who is on the premises and can be aware of potential hazards. Access control can be used in the management of employees and visitors, contractor access control, or managing building flow, and help to ensure compliance.
At Samsic, we are RoSPA Gold Award holders for our security solutions, which include advanced infrared temperature sensing technology, remote building user authentication, and fingerprint recognition technology. Access control can also include other technology such as gates, barriers, and turnstiles, which may need an authorised pass to be able to bypass.
Whichever technological security systems your business decides to include should be designed with your business in mind. Security technology should integrate on a bespoke basis with any existing systems for more secure and comprehensive management.
Licensing, Accreditations, and Compliance
Researching the foundational elements that distinguish a reliable and professional security service is also key to ensuring compliance. From the legal framework to personnel qualifications and safety protocols, the following categories play a crucial role in not only defining the credibility of a security service but also ensuring its ability to adapt and respond effectively to the diverse challenges of the modern security landscape.
Compliance with Regulations
In the UK, security providers must adhere to specific licensing and certification requirements to operate legally and ensure the highest standards of professionalism and competence. These include:
A Security Industry Authority (SIA) License: The SIA is the regulatory body for the private security industry in the UK. Security personnel, including door supervisors, security guards, and CCTV operators, are required to hold an SIA license. This license ensures that individuals have undergone proper training and background checks. All Samsic security guards and professionals have an SIA license.
An ISO 9001 Certification: Many security firms in the UK seek ISO 9001 certification, an international standard that specifies requirements for a quality management system and demonstrates a commitment to providing high-quality services. Samsic has ISO 9001, signifying a robust quality management system, and ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 accreditations, showcasing excellent environmental management and occupational health and safety management systems.
An Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS): The ACS is an SIA-provided voluntary accreditation, assessing a security provider’s effectiveness in delivering quality service. Companies with an ACS accreditation have demonstrated a commitment to best practices, ensuring clients that they meet industry standards. Samsic’s most recent ACS score put us in the top 5% of companies in the UK.
CCTV Operator Training: All security providers responsible for operating CCTV equipment should have received and be responsible for CCTV-specific training and any related certifications. An in-depth knowledge of CCTV regulations ensures that Security staff comply with privacy laws and ethical standards.
First Aid Certification: Depending on the role and responsibilities of security personnel, having individuals with first aid certification can be beneficial. This is especially important in situations where immediate medical assistance may be required, or when working in hazardous areas or with vulnerable people.
Insurance Coverage
Insurance coverage is essential to mitigate potential risks and liabilities. It provides financial protection in case of unforeseen incidents, such as accidents or property damage, and is a crucial aspect of responsible business operations.
Security providers in the UK typically need to have certain types of insurance coverage to operate legally and responsibly, these commonly include Public Liability Insurance, Employers’ Liability Insurance, Professional Indemnity Insurance, Product Liability Insurance, and Cyber Liability Insurance.
Health and Safety Training
Health and safety training is vital for security providers, given the distinctive challenges and responsibilities of their roles. It provides them with the skills to identify risks and hazards promptly. Recognising risks early enables security personnel to proactively address them, preventing accidents and ensuring a safer environment. Efficient and professional handling of emergencies, be it medical, fire-related, or security breaches, safeguards both the client and their employees.
In the dynamic landscape of business, selecting the right security provider is pivotal for long-term success. Businesses need to prioritise a provider with a proven track record, robust emergency procedures, quality training, effective communication, and a strong commitment to customer service.
Samsic offers a holistic and bespoke approach to security services, with a positive reputation that is supported by testimonials and case studies. Customisation is key and we offer on-site analyses to tailor security solutions to your specific needs and to ensure a comprehensive security strategy.
Dedicated to safeguarding your business with expertise, integrity, and cutting-edge solutions, Samsic is not just a security provider but a strategic partner, invested in the success and continuity of your business.