When running a successful business, security is essential, and manned guarding is one of the most effective ways to protect your assets.
A great security guard will use their extensive knowledge and training to mitigate risks before they develop into something serious and utilise security technologies to maximise their effectiveness.
There are certain skills that are possessed by all the best security guards that you should be looking for when organising a manned guarding service to create an effective and risk-free security system on your site.
Here are 9 things to look for when hiring a security guard to perform manned guarding services on behalf of your business.
Extensive training
Only ever hire security guards who are SIA licenced. This not only means that they are legally allowed to perform security duties but also that they have undergone extensive training and passed assessments conforming their understanding of this training.
As part of the SIA licensing process, security guards must pass units of conflict management, first aid, and more, giving them the skills required to perform the duties required to keep your site safe and secure.
Trustworthiness
Being able to trust your security guards is an absolute must. They are responsible for the safety of your staff and property whilst on site and therefore, carry a huge amount of responsibility that could impact the very future of your business.
They will often be left alone on your site and trusted with keys and all areas access so ensure that you do extensive background checks to ensure you are happy before proceeding.
Quick Thinking
Security guards must be able to take in information in an instant, process it and act in the most appropriate manner. It is vital that they are quick thinking and have great decision making abilities.
Eye for detail
No matter how much training is completed or licences gained, there is no substitute for the instincts of a natural security guard when it comes to spotting suspicious activity from a distance or within a crowd.
The best security guards simply have a nose for sniffing out potential threats and will be constantly observing their surroundings whilst on the job.
Leadership
Leadership skills are not only important for the head of your security team, responsible for directing other security guards and assigning certain duties, but for each and every security guard on site.
In the event of an emergency it is the responsibility of your security guards to oversee the evacuation process and they will need to be a clear and authoritative voice whose directions are followed without question by your staff and customers.
Communication
Communication is a vital skill for every single member of your team, but particularly your security guards who will communicate with each other, you and other senior managers, your staff, and your customers.
Security guards often find themselves stationed at the front desk of a property, tasked with controlling access and checking identifications but also answering any basic customer enquiries and greeting visitors. This is particularly common when providing security for office buildings.
Your guards may well be the very first people your customers or guests see when they enter your site so it is key that they are personable, friendly and make a fantastic first impression.
Physical conditioning
Security guarding, in general, involves a significant amount less running around after bad guys then you see in the movies. That said it is still crucial that your security guards do maintain a good level of physical fitness as they will be on their feet for a large portion of the day conducting patrols, and getting themselves to certain areas as quickly as possible in the event of an emergency. Furthermore, the better the physical conditioning of your security guards is, the more effective of a deterrent they will be to potential troublemakers.
And, yes, should an intruder find their way inside your property, it is important that your security guards are able to outrun them in order to apprehend them until the police arrive.
Discretion
Security guards should be a visible deterrent to criminals but you don’t want your company image to be influenced negatively by their presence. Security guards should have a knack of knowing when to make themselves seen and when to make themselves scarce and can blend into the crowd if required.
We operate a flexible uniform policy meaning that if you want your security to be more discreet we can achieve this by dressing them in suits or company uniforms rather than that of a highly visible security officer.
Passion
Security guards can possess all the skills and knowledge in the world but this means little if they don’t have the drive to put it into action. You need your security to be passionate about their job and most importantly about keeping everyone on the site they are deployed on safe.