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CCTV and security guards are perhaps the two most important security measures that any business can use to protect themselves from harm.

Criminals are a constant threat to any business and if you want to achieve long term success, you simply must take suitable precautions to guard against them.

For many many years, hiring an in person security guard was by far the most effective way to keep a site safe, but, as technology has developed, and criminals have got smarter, CCTV has emerged as a highly valuable asset to have on your side.

Of course, these two things don’t have to be exclusive to each other, and work extremely well in tandem, but it is definitely worth understanding the pros and cons of each option.

 CCTV

CCTV is the most versatile security measure on the market. It observes constantly, allows you to view your entire site all at once, detects security breaches, and deters criminals.

It is your eye in the sky and has become a simply must have for any business owner who is serious about their security. In the past, the amount of money that you could save on manned guarding by installing CCTV was limited by the fact that someone still needed to monitor the screen to detect suspicious behaviour.

This was only a minor inconvenience but nowadays you don’t even need to worry about that, with all sorts of smart Ai technology such as motion detection and auto alert letting you and your security team know the instant unauthorised activity was detected.

Security Guards

The one downside of CCTV is that whilst it deters and identifies intruders, it is still an inanimate object at the end of the day and can’t physically deal with issues when they arise.

For that you will need a security guard. These highly trained individuals will conduct mobile patrols on your site, monitor CCTV, work alongside your staff during evacuations, and liaise with the emergency services when the time comes.

Sure, there are cheaper security options, but there are very few more effective.

Why not both?

At the end of the day, the answer to the question of security guard vs CCTV doesn’t always need to be found. These are not direct competitors in the security industry. They do very different things and have very different pros and cons. They are actually most effective when used together and if you run a large scale business you will almost certainly required both to protect your site effectively.

If you don’t have the budget for both options, a CCTV system from a company such as www.trusthire.co.uk is probably the best way forward. CCTV can monitor an entire premises in a way that even the most highly trained of security officers cannot and records everything that happens on site in case of emergency. Unlike a security guard whose primary focus is always security, CCTV can also be used for more routine purposes such as optimising your workflow and overseeing project progress from afar.

The security industry is just one of many sectors that has been transformed in recent years by the introduction of innovative technologies that are capable of detecting and dealing with security threats far more effectively than has previously been possible.

From surveillance systems that automatically track intruders and alert the police to ongoing incidents to CCTV that learns its surroundings through smart AI thinking, the security industry really has ben transformed almost beyond recognition by technological advances.

In this blog, we will take at look at 5 of the most impressive technologies used by security companies that are taking the security industry by storm.

Drones

Security drones really are taking the security industry to new heights, and with HD cameras and thermal imagery built in, it has never been easier to track intruders and keep an eye across your entire site all at once.

When looking to protect large outdoor spaces, the coverage that drones offer really is unparalleled and spaces that once required large numbers of expensive full-time security guards to monitor can now be surveyed in an instant.

AI CCTV

AI video analytics have revolutionised the way we process and interpret surveillance footage. By harnessing the power of machine learning algorithms, AI can detect anomalies, recognise objects, and analyse behaviour patterns, making the job of human security officers much easier.

Biometric Access Control

Biometric access control has replaced traditional key-based systems with more secure and precise user authentication methods. Utilising unique biological features such as fingerprints, eye patterns, or voice recognition, biometric access control offers unparalleled accuracy and security and lets you control exactly who is able to get in and out of your site at any one time.

Facial Recognition

Facial recognition technology has emerged as a powerful tool for enhancing security across various sectors. By analysing and verifying unique facial features, this technology can identify individuals in real-time, even in large crowds. From access control in high-security facilities to locating suspects in public spaces, facial recognition has become a game-changer in the fight against crime.

Metal Detectors

Admittedly slightly older in their development when compared to the other technologies on this list, metal detector gates are a superb way to ensure that those entering an event venue or a commercial site are not carrying any illicit items such as weapons that have the potential to harm others on the site.

Many building sites, event venues, schools, and even office buildings now have these in place, providing staff and anyone else on the site with peace of mind that the chance of any dangerous items being brought into the premises is extremely low.

As technology continues to evolve, the security industry embraces these cutting-edge innovations to protect lives, assets, and information with greater precision and efficiency. There is no sign of technological advancements slowing down anytime soon, either, As these technologies continue to advance, we can expect even more exciting developments that will shape the future of security and ensure a safer world for all.

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.