Cybersecurity threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and prevalent. In 2022, ransomware attacks jumped
by 93%.
Protecting sensitive data and systems requires a comprehensive approach beyond a single security solution.
Defense-in-depth uses layers of security tools, procedures, and programs to help protect your data from cybercriminals while saving you stress and profits in the long run. The more secure your business is, the less likely it is to fall prey to cybercriminals.
For over 25 years, WEBIT Services has built effective cybersecurity procedures for hundreds of clients. It is passionate about using strategy and education to prevent cyberattacks and loss.
By reading this article, you will learn the advantages of adopting a defense-in-depth approach and its benefits for safeguarding your network and mitigating cyber risks.
What Does a Defense-in-Depth Approach Mean?
Defense-in-depth security uses many layers of protection for your technology.
Like how you might have locks on your doors, security cameras, and an alarm system to protect your home, a defense-in-depth strategy uses different security measures to safeguard your digital assets.
Many layers are better than one when it comes to security. A defense-in-depth strategy combines various defenses, making it harder for cyber attackers to succeed.
These defenses can include things like:
- Firewalls
- Antivirus software
- Strong passwords
- Encryption
- Employee training
- Access management
- Endpoint security
A defense-in-depth strategy also emphasizes early detection and rapid response. It involves using tools and systems that can quickly detect suspicious activities. This enables you to catch an attacker early. And take action to reduce any damage.
A defense-in-depth cybersecurity strategy provides a strong and resilient defense system. Its several layers of security increase the chances of staying secure. This is especially important in today’s dangerous online world.
7 Advantages of Adopting a Defense-in-Depth Approach
1. Enhanced Protection
A defense-in-depth strategy protects your infrastructure in many ways.
Implementing a combination of security controls creates a robust security posture. Each layer acts as a barrier. If one layer fails, the others remain intact. This minimizes the chances of a successful attack.
2. Early Detection and Rapid Response
With a defense-in-depth approach, you have many security measures that can detect threats and alert you to these potential dangers.
Some systems used to detect suspicious activities and anomalies in real-time are:
- Intrusion detection systems
- Network monitoring tools
- Security incident and event management (SIEM) solutions
This early detection allows you to respond quickly and minimizes the impact of a potential breach. It also reduces the time an attacker has to access critical assets.
3. Reduces Single Point of Failure
A defense-in-depth strategy ensures no single point of failure—a single vulnerability that could compromise your entire security infrastructure.
For example, relying solely on one security measure, such as a firewall, could prove catastrophic if it fails or if attackers find a way to bypass it.
It’s better to diversify your security controls. You create a resilient defense system where the failure of one control does not lead to a complete breach.
4. Protects Against Advanced Threats
Cybercriminals continually evolve their techniques to overcome traditional security measures. A defense-in-depth approach accounts for this reality.
It incorporates advanced security technologies, including behavior analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. These technologies can identify and block sophisticated threats like zero-day exploits and targeted attacks. They do this by analyzing patterns and detecting anomalies in real-time.
5. Compliance and Regulatory Requirements
Many industries are subject to specific compliance and regulatory requirements, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Adopting a defense-in-depth strategy can help you meet these requirements.
Implementing the necessary security controls is a proactive approach to protect sensitive data. This can help you avoid legal and financial penalties associated with non-compliance.
6. Flexibility and Scalability
A defense-in-depth strategy offers flexibility and scalability, allowing you to adapt to evolving threats and business needs. New technologies and security measures emerge all the time. You can integrate them seamlessly into your existing security framework.
Furthermore, you can scale your security controls as your organization grows to ensure your cybersecurity strategy remains effective and aligned with your expanding infrastructure.
7. Employee Education and Awareness
A defense-in-depth approach extends beyond technology. It encompasses employee education and awareness.
Educating your employees about cybersecurity best practices can significantly reduce risk, especially from human error and social engineering attacks.
Training and awareness programs create a human firewall. This complements your technical controls and is a key component of any defense-in-depth cybersecurity approach.
Next Steps for Applying Defense-in-Depth Security
Defense-in-depth security uses various cybersecurity tools and practices to holistically protect your system from threats. It brings several advantages, including:
- Bringing enhanced protection
- Early detection and rapid response to threats
- Reducing single points of failure
- Protection against advanced threats
- Meeting compliance and regulatory requirements
- It allows for flexibility and scalability in IT security
- Building employee IT security education and awareness
There is a tremendous demand for security guards to protect establishments and homes. This is a venture that has a great potential to be very profitable as long as you operate the business well.
Starting a security agency has many similar steps to other businesses, but since the personnel to be deployed will be provided with firearms, there are legal procedures that must be strictly complied with, as well as unique operational issues. The following is a list of basic tips on planning and starting this business:
Study the current state of the industry. This helps you determine how to best position your planned security agency. Look at the opportunities, competitors, present laws, as well as pending legislation. Get a broad feel for the market so that you can develop a good competitive strategy.
Look up all the government agencies to register your security agency business. Determine if your business will be a sole proprietorship (register with DTI), a partnership or corporation (register with the Securities and Exchange Commission). Besides the usual government agencies like the BIR, municipality, etc., you need to get a permit from the Philippine National Police.
Estimate your needed capitalization. As of July 7, 2013, the amount of P500,000 was indicated as the minimum amount to be registered. This was according to data in the Securities and Exchange Commission website. However, this is just the minimum requirement. It is very possible that you may need much more capital depending on the scale of your operations, as the cost of firearms and working capital is very considerable.
Plan your recruitment carefully. The proper screening and training of your security guards is crucial to your success in this business. Also, note that not only those with bad records but also those who are mentally unstable or with violent tendencies must not be recruited.
Have other sources of income. Besides your core service of providing security guards, you may also offer related services. Some of these are security consultancy, house detectives and private investigation.
Marketing strategies. Know how to source clients and how to make a proposal. Learn the ways to promote your business and how to negotiate and close the agreement. It is important that you are not entirely dependent on a single client since losing this client would threaten the existence of your business.
Invest well in continuous training.
Training should not be considered as just an expense; it is the area where you should strive to get a competitive advantage. For example, instead of just focusing on the security function, you can also add customer service training to give you the edge over other agencies.
The security agency business can be your passport to success. If you work hard and know what you are doing, there is an excellent chance of fulfilling your dreams.
The designated roles and responsibilities of an Information security team can vary from organization to organization. These roles and responsibilities can vary depending on the service organizations size, structure, and business processes. With that being said, the following universal truisms should apply across all service organizations looking to implement an information security team structure:
Individual roles, responsibilities, and authority are clearly defined, communicated, and understood by all stakeholders.
The organization assigns and communicates security-related functions to designated employees.
To further expand on the importance of the information security team structure in your organization, this article will walk through examples of standard information security team roles and responsibilities, the importance of having documented job descriptions for these roles, and the purpose of implementing a clearly defined organizational chart that graphically depicts your information security team structure
Information Security: Organization Structure, Roles, and Responsibilities
As stated above, it is imperative that individual roles, responsibilities, and authority are clearly communicated and understood by all, and that an organization assigns and communicates security-related functions to designated employees or order for an organization to have a successfully performing information security team. These requirements and others are outlined in the
AICPA’s
Trust Services Principles governing
SOC 2 audit reports.
The following (below) is an example outline of various functional roles and associated responsibilities that make up and can help a new organization develop a standard information security team structure.
- Executive Management: Assigned overall responsibility for information security and should include specific organizational roles such as the CISO (Chief Information Security Officer), CTO (Chief Technology Officer), CRO (Chief Risk Officer), CSO (Chief Security Officer), etc. These executive level roles generally are responsible for overseeing the enterprise information security strategy that ensures information assets are protected.
- Information System Security Professionals:Responsible for the design, implementation, management, and review of the organization’s security policies, standards, baselines, procedures, and guidelines. Examples of these roles can include but are not limited to the following: IT security manager, IT Risk management manager, Compliance manager, IT security analyst, etc.
- Data Owners: Owners (data owners, information owner, system owners who have budgetary authority); responsible for:
- Ensuring that appropriate security—consistent with the organization’s security policy—is implemented in their information systems
- Determining appropriate sensitivity or classification levels
- Determining access privileges
- Data Custodians: A function that has “custody” of the system/databases, not necessarily belonging to them, for any period of time. Usually network administration or operations (those who normally operate the systems for the owners).
- Users: Responsible for using resources and preserving availability, integrity, and confidentiality of assets; responsible for adhering to security policy.
- IS Auditors: Responsible for:
- Providing independent assurance to management on the appropriateness of the security objectives
- Determining whether the security policy, standards, baselines, procedures, and guidelines are appropriate and effective to comply with the organization’s security objectives
- Identifying whether the objectives and controls are being achieved
The Importance of Job Descriptions for the Information Security Team Structure
Documented job descriptions are critical to ensure employees understand their roles and responsibilities pertaining to day-to-day operations. Further, a signed acknowledgment of job responsibilities should typically be required at the start of employment to ensure employees understand, acknowledge, and are held accountable for their roles within the organization — all of which helps strengthen an organization’s overall internal control environment.
Further, not only should security job descriptions be documented and known to key personnel, but they should be updated as needed and often reinforced. This will allow management to accurately set performance measures, incentives, and/or other rewards appropriate for responsibilities in the organization reflecting appropriate conduct and performance.
Lastly, properly documented security role job descriptions strongly influence the design of your
internal control framework and increase the likelihood that they will operate effectively.
A clearly defined organizational chart should outline the structure of an organization’s staff, typically starting with an outline of the C-level staff, followed by the structure of those that report into those C-level roles. The purpose of this chart is to create a straightforward depiction of an organization’s hierarchy, which allows employees to understand lines of authority, relationships between other individuals in the organization, and who they need to report to when issues arise.
Organizational charts can outline the reporting structure and hierarchy of an entire organization, or they can be developed for individual functional teams, which would typically occur in mid to large organizations. An example of a functional team organizational chart would be one that is developed specifically to outline an Information Security team structure.
Lastly, an organizational chart should be a “living” and “breathing” document, meaning that it should be updated when headcount changes, and/or when roles are shifted, in order for it to be an accurate resource of reference.
Summary
In summary, when structuring your information security team, by starting with outlining the information security roles and responsibilities based on your organizational size, structure, and business processes, this will help direct the implementation and documentation of appropriate job descriptions and organizational charts. All of this activity is important to help ensure individuals are held accountable for their internal control responsibilities which will greatly contribute to strengthening your organizations overall internal control framework and ultimately achieving your organization’s strategic objectives.
Further, the information discussed in this blog covers just a few of the many aspects of developing a sound internal control environment for your organization. Linford and Company has extensive experience working with organizations to define their control environment. Please review our
auditing services and
contact us if you would like to learn more about how we can help you with your audit needs.Did you know the
video surveillance market is expected to grow tremendously by 2025? Businesses worldwide have
CCTV cameras as a critical component of their investment plan, and the numbers are only increasing.
There are myriad reasons supporting this. While most of you might be only familiar with the security aspect of
surveillance cameras, they serve many other business needs.
In this blog, we take a deep dive into the various reasons your business needs video surveillance systems.
Let’s get started.
7 Reasons Your Business Needs Video Surveillance
Video surveillance systems help businesses in multiple ways. Regardless of the industry segment, location or size, they have become more or less a required feature in the present-day scenario. From a long-term perspective, they offer myriad benefits which businesses can reap with
minimal upfront investment.
- Prevent theft and Vandalism: Security cameras act as a strong deterrent in keeping away any activities of theft, vandalism, or break-ins. Installing surveillance cameras on home and office premises thwarts anti-social elements and ensures safety to the members. In the case of non-retail businesses too, the owners need to safeguard company assets and intellectual property, which are often stolen by the employees themselves. CCTV cameras help keep a check on such incidents.
- Real-time Monitoring: The best CCTV cameras ensure that live footage is available any time the business owners need them. Live footage ensures that facts are not misinterpreted and there is sufficient proof on the video captured; it is not based on an individual’s perception. This enables businesses to catch the perpetrators red-handed and there’s no room for anything to be misconstrued.
Technology has made it possible to monitor all the cameras, even from a remote computer or mobile. Besides, the CCTV
security cameras offer the perk of viewing the live video on all the different cameras in a single window, ensuring that all cameras record the output.
- Improved Employee Productivity: Take the example of any office, in particular restaurants or workshops. It is a known fact that having a CCTV camera installed makes employees work harder as they are being watched closely. In addition, it also relieves the manager or supervisor of the task of constantly monitoring them and instead focuses on other aspects of work.
- Useful Criminal Evidence: CCTV cameras serve as a powerful resource when any crime is committed in or around the business premises. They have the complete recording of the incident that took place and are even used in courts by judges as criminal evidence. Many states in India have prescribed security practices for businesses and retail houses. For instance, the Karnataka legislature has taken measures to make CCTV cameras mandatory in private businesses. Besides helping in monitoring staff and valuables, they also benefit the community.
- Prevent Sexual Harassment: Despite the stringent laws enacted against sexual harassment in workplaces, some miscreants manage to indulge in these acts. CCTV cameras would not only help prevent such incidents and offer a safe place to employees but also confirm the occurrence of any such event. This enables filing any lawsuit and taking disciplinary action against the culprit.
- Enhance Customer Experience: Having CCTV cameras in retail supermarkets or large shops makes customers feel valued. You, as a business owner, could take a look at their buying behavior in the recording on-screen and cater to their needs better by making adjustments to product positioning. This, in turn, would offer a rewarding customer experience and enhance your business reputation.
- Reduce Costs: The installation of video surveillance systems obviates the need for hiring night security officers. In multiple ways CCTV technology beats security guards. This considerably reduces security-related and maintenance costs that otherwise businesses have to incur on an ongoing basis.
Closing thoughts
Video surveillance cameras are integral in today’s fast-paced world. In fact, they’re even replacing security personnel, due to the varied benefits they offer. A few of those include cost reduction, increased field of view, capabilities which surpass human beings, and more.
As a result of this, the number of CCTV cameras being used across the globe for different purposes is rapidly increasing. For instance, according to a
2021 report, London has about 691,000 CCTV installed.
Delhi has the maximum number of 1836 CCTV cameras per square kilometer, and beats London and Singpore in terms of CCTV coverage density.
While there are numerous other statistics and numbers which could prove the increased demand for CCTV, it is important to understand that, CCTVs are not just practical but also a mandatory investment from a business standpoint.
For any queries on CCTV systems, click
here.
Planning to go out on vacation soon?
Before you do, consider buying security cameras to monitor your home. In some cities, over
90,000 packages disappear daily. Unfortunately, it’s quite common now for porch pirates to steal anything left unchecked, especially online orders.
A camera can either scare off a potential burglar or provide ample evidence against one in court. You can also use footage from a security camera to check who stalks your home while you’re gone or asleep.
That said, not every camera is the same. Read our list below to learn about seven crucial tips to buy nothing but the best security cameras:
1. Video Resolution
The resolution of the recorded footage should be your primary concern. What’s the point of a security camera if you can’t identify faces due to a blurry recording?
The most expensive you can aim for is
4K UHD resolution. However, you can still opt for surveillance cameras that record in 1080p or 720p. Anything below those standards is too blurry.
Recording in color is also important. However, you might still want to consider getting cameras that capture footage in black and white if you’re on a tight budget or if you want to record video 24/7.
Keep in mind that the better the resolution, the bigger the file size! This is why some people get cameras with 4K capture but enable motion sensors to save space. We’ll discuss motion sensors and storage options below.
2. Storage Options
You won’t get to enjoy the
benefits of surveillance cameras if they don’t offer decent storage options. Some might come with built-in hard drives, and others come with slots to use external storage options, such as a micro SD card.
Using a wired CCTV camera? Try to connect it to a PC with sufficient storage space. If you use a wireless camera, check if you can use external hard drives, micro SD cards, or instantly upload to a cloud network.
If you rely on a wireless connection and cloud storage, make sure you have stable Internet. In addition, your cameras should be within range, or they’ll fail to upload the video files consistently.
3. Device Durability
Always consider the locations for cameras too. Most security cameras have to stay outdoors, monitoring the porch, doors, or parking space. This means they’ll be under constant exposure to the elements.
Don’t buy cameras that can’t endure heavy rain or strong winds! They’ll break, and you might not be able to salvage the footage already captured by the device.
Always check security camera manufacturers and the reviews for their products. Look for a camera that can handle the wear and tear of the weather.
4. Primary Features
When it comes to surveillance, there are a lot of important options for cameras to consider.
First, make sure you have the option for a motion sensor. Keeping your camera on 24/7, recording for hours, is a quick way to consume storage space. Instead, get a camera that won’t start recording until something triggers the motion or audio sensors.
Night vision is another priority. Some burglars wait for nightfall before they attempt to break into a home. Night vision ensures you’ll still see their faces clearly.
Look for a camera with two-way communication. This will allow you to speak through the camera’s speakers to spook away anyone stalking or surveying your property.
It’s also a good idea to get surveillance cameras that offer remote control. You don’t want to manually go out and adjust the angle every time you find a blindspot.
5. Range of Vision
Can the camera pan from left to right? Does it have the ability to tilt up and down?
If a surveillance camera can’t move in those four directions, don’t buy it! The last thing you want is a limited range of vision. In addition, you won’t have the ability to monitor every corner, leaving blindspots that burglars could use to their advantage.
Look for a camera that can zoom in too. This ensures you can get a closer look at someone’s face even if they aren’t right in front of the surveillance camera. Some cameras only offer
optical zooming but there many that offer digital zooming as well.
6. Smart Cameras
One of the most modern security cameras features to look out for is smart connectivity. A smart camera allows you to control and manage it regardless of where you are, simply by accessing it through a smartphone app.
Of course, this does require both your phone and the cameras to utilize a strong Internet connection.
With a phone app, you can check video footage in real-time. You can use controls on your phone to move the camera, speak through the camera’s speakers, or change the main settings (such as disabling the motion sensors or night vision).
The main benefit is that you can manage your phone even when you’re halfway across the world. Wondering if someone is going around your home? Turn on the app, access the camera, and take a peek!
7. Budget
At the end of the day, you’ll need to get
security cameras that fit your budget. Start comparing camera costs and then weigh which ones offer the features you want but whose prices are within your boundaries.
Expect cameras with the highest resolution, smart connectivity, and more features to cost the most. A traditional, wired CCTV will be the most budget-friendly, but you might struggle with its barebones capabilities.
Start Buying Security Cameras For Your Home
Buying
security cameras can seem like a complicated ordeal. There are a lot of technical terms to learn, features to know, and maintenance to follow. However, these seven tips will help you pick the right ones that fit your budget.
Don’t stop here, however!
If you liked this guide, we’ve got more in store for you. Continue reading our other posts right here to discover all the tech, auto, business, and advertising guides you need!As cyber threats continue to proliferate and pressure on in-house security personnel grows, it’s become
de rigueur for companies to seek third-party partners to alleviate the burden of protecting their business around the clock. As the demand has grown, an explosion of security vendors has materialized, offering varying approaches and degrees of expertise. In fact, the market for security partners grew 6.7 percent in 2018, reaching $10.7 billion in revenue,
according to Gartner research.
This spike in options can be a boon to companies looking to hire a trusted security partner—
if they know the right questions to ask.
If you find yourself in this position, below we’ve highlighted the seven most important questions to ask when interviewing a potential security provider:
1. What specific security solutions do you offer?
Though email and web services continue to be the attack vectors of choice among cybercriminals, your trusted advisor needs to be able to do more than secure these areas. Seek out partners that also specialize in database and endpoint security. Malicious actors understand that the modern-day enterprise is complex and use this to their advantage to break into the crown jewel of data storage—the database. A high-quality partner will help you protect these relational and big data stores, as well as overcome challenges tied to the growing number of endpoints and vulnerabilities found within the systems and applications you currently manage.
2. How do you manage client relationships?
Many security partners assign experts to new accounts without considering a client’s unique needs. This one-size-fits-all approach risks leaving those customers to fend for themselves after an alert is triggered because the provider and relationship manager don’t understand its clients’ environments and response playbooks. In a best-case scenario, security experts can specialize according to the industry and manage a small number of accounts to help ensure customer-centric delivery.
The service provider of yesteryear would focus on only detecting threats and alerting organizations. As far as their duties were concerned, the buck stopped there. But given the evolving threat landscape, assistance goes much further today. Your partner should serve as a trusted team member and immediate responder, taking an active role in analyzing, responding to, and containing a threat.
3. What does your security operations center look like?
When evaluating potential security partners, it’s critical to consider their security operations centers (SOCs), the facilities where staff monitor your systems and proactively identify and mitigate security risks.
What qualifies as a SOC can range from a small team of analysts in an office to
state-of-the-art command centers with hundreds of experts divided into teams. Depending on the size and sophistication of your organization, you may need an advanced SOC staffed by specialized teams made up of ethical hackers, threat hunters, incident responders, and advanced researchers. Moreover, if you work for a large organization, a global security partner that maintains a network of operations around the world to help ensure continuity of operations is ideal. The best SOCs also serves as a de facto training camp, running frequent threat simulation exercises for its own team members and a customer’s IT personnel.
4. How qualified are your staffers?
When vetting a service provider, it’s important to ask about the credentials of the professionals who will be monitoring your systems daily, not just those of the company’s leaders. Ask whether the security analysts and consultants hold advanced security certifications such as CISSPs, QSAs or SANS certifications, and how long they’ve been responding to incidents. A reliable partner will have veteran staffers with a decade or more of experience.
On a broader level, determining a partner’s reputation in the industry is also critical. Many chief security officers rely on the
Gartner Magic Quadrant for Managed Security Services when evaluating potential partners.
5. Is it an MSSP or an MDR – or both?
A managed security service provider (MSSP) will run updates, install patches, deliver configurations, and provide outsourced monitoring and management of your networks. But to navigate today’s threat landscape, your security partner needs to go much further. Most MSSPs, however, cannot analyze the huge quantity of log sources necessary to successfully detect threats and respond appropriately.
An ideal partner combines MSSP capabilities with the cloud technology, machine learning, and big data leveraged by
Managed Detection and Response (MDR) providers to uncover previously unknown weaknesses in your environment and kill threats that already exist on your network. Look for a partner that combines people, process, and technology to respond to advanced threats, offering full forensic investigations and incident response services that can pinpoint the cause and extent of a breach within minutes.
6. Can you work with my existing architecture?
Successful managed security providers don’t just deliver and manage their technologies—they
partner with other first-class technology providers to make your life easier. By monitoring and managing many widely used technologies, a good security partner unifies your current security applications and eliminate the need to “rip and replace” older systems. Rather than forcing you to start from scratch with a new (and expensive) implementation, these experts can build a strategy that connects products from various vendors acquired over time. Done correctly, an integrated defense comprised of legacy systems can provide a robust security solution as well as a practical alternative to dropping previous products.
If your partner understands the complexities of your business and knows your incident response playbook, it results in a program designed to support your specific needs—whether it’s security monitoring and response services, incident response, vulnerability assessment or advanced threat hunting. A good partner will offer not only seamless implementation but also ongoing maintenance and service delivery throughout the entire security life cycle.
7. Can you walk me through your response process when a security incident occurs?
Forget about partners who require you to submit a ticket or log into a portal to review outdated metrics. The best security providers share information in real-time, through multiple points of contact, on the phone, and through chat. Recognizing that companies’ chief security officers are constantly traveling, many providers are also beginning to offer mobile applications that allow clients to review incident details from their devices at any time.
Reducing risk and expanding security maturity is the goal of the security leader of today. But the problems they face far outweigh the solutions that seem to be immediately available to them. That’s why many enterprises are
in search of trusted advisors that can provide them with the supplemental assistance needed to navigate the evolving threat landscape. Before you step into a meeting with your next potential security advisor, remember to keep these questions in mind as they’ll guide you in determining who your future security partner will be.All businesses require a reliable security partner to protect their property and people within the organization. Countless security companies claim to offer dependable services, but many fail to meet client expectations. Unfortunately, you can’t just hire any security company and expect top-tier service.
The boom in the security industry is hardly surprising given the advancements in technology and the ever-increasing threat of security breaches. Understandably, more businesses and individuals are looking for expert security protection. If you’re seeking a security firm to protect your building, where do you even start? Hiring the best security company can be a difficult and challenging task.
Before hiring a security partner, make sure you have all the information you need and be diligent in your vetting process. Are you looking for advice on finding the best security provider for your building? Here are three key questions to ask security companies you’re screening to ensure your security is in the right hands.
How Do You Screen Job Candidates?
The turnover rate for the security industry tends to be relatively high. The common problem for security companies with high turnover rates is that they fail to implement proper job screening procedures. This often results in the negligent hiring of individuals who are not suitable for security positions, putting businesses they’re protecting at risk.
Having a competent team of security staff that can be relied upon to respond appropriately to emergencies and threats starts with the right hiring process. A security company’s workforce is its most vital element. You want to work with a security company that has a thorough screening process.
Proper security personnel screening should be dynamic and consist of multiple procedures. An essential part of the screening process should be the completion of a criminal background check. Individuals with a criminal background are not the best candidates to protect a client’s assets, people, and property.
Ask the company you’re vetting whether they conduct background checks. This ensures they’re hiring only individuals who possess the required skills and attributes. You should feel confident that the guards are fit for the job.
Another critical component of the screening process is to check in with previous employers and references of the applicant. Security guards must be time conscious, for example, to begin their security assignments on time or relieve their colleagues of their duties when their respective shifts end. This will help you determine the reliability of each applicant.
A simple drug test during the screening process can help eliminate potentially risky applicants. Announcing that drug tests will be randomly administered helps steer away unwanted applicants and ensure a professional work environment.
Personality testing is also making its way into the security industry. Personality tests are often quick and easy to administer, and they can provide a security company with relative information regarding the personality of their potential hires. The security firm can then determine which personality type will best fit a security guard position.
You also want to work with a security company that looks specifically for candidates who are passionate about a career in the security industry. Only individuals who want to make a career in the industry will have a genuine interest and passion for the job. Any reputable security company will look for adaptable, intelligent candidates who possess well-developed people skills and good judgment.
How Do You Train Your Staff?
Every state has its own legal requirements for education, qualification, and training for security guards. Before settling for a particular security company, you should familiarize yourself with your state’s requirements, so you can confirm whether the company you intend to hire complies with them.
Training methods and ideologies may vary, so it’s critical that the training follows mandated topics that meet state requirements and conform to your business needs. This may include situations specific to the nature of your business, such as specialized equipment operations and the handling of hazardous materials.
Some security services have professional training programs, while others don’t. Don’t shy away from asking the security company how they train their officers. Any dependable security vendor should be able to provide you with detailed explanations of the training process and documentation for their particular training program, including:
- The specific training topics and their respective learning objectives.
- Copies of initial and continuing training topic lesson plans, including the length of each topic presentation.
- The identification and qualifications of trainers.
- How the training was presented – online, problem solving, group discussions and exercises, lectures, etc.
- A testing program to determine how each security officer demonstrated their understanding of the topic.
- Proof that the individual attended the training.
Any successful security operation must have an on-going training model. The licensing and qualification provide the basics a security officer or guard needs, but as in any job, continued education is what makes a great employee. Establish whether the company offers its employees opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement.
At the very least, the company should train its personnel on company processes, business operations, and job expectations. Frequent on-the-job training is also crucial.
When a supervisor walks a guard around a new property, they ensure that the officer knows the ins and outs of each checkpoint. Through scenario role-play and verbal questions, supervisors can assess how well officers pick up the job requirements. This is also a helpful strategy to implement when officers are struggling to perform their duties.
Another excellent training resource is having employees attend regular seminars and workshops. They are a great way to keep security personnel up-to-date on new training techniques, business operations, and industry best practices. Continuous training keeps training tools relevant and ensures officers are alert and engaged with the company and industry.
Most security and asset protection training modules are cross-functional and thereby applicable to numerous industries. Some industries or markets, such as
financial institutions, require specialized training as well.
How Do You Match Staff with Client Needs?
When you’re looking for a security service, you need to establish whether the company is a good fit for your business. You want to know what the company can offer so you can trust them to secure your property and keep your employees safe. The company should be able to match the skills of its employees to meet your specific needs.
After hiring and training personnel, ask the company how they seek to best match their staff’s interests and personality types with your business requirements and environment.
Security needs differ from one company to another and from industry to industry, and not all security services are created equal. Depending on your needs, you may want a company specializing in warehouse security, corporate security, or both. You may also want to consider whether the company offers event security services or long-term security.
The company you’re thinking about hiring should review your security needs to determine what kind of protection you need. For instance, if you need armed guards, their staff should be licensed to carry firearms and well trained in operating them to avoid liability issues. If the nature of your business requires a team of guards to
conduct frequent patrols, then the company should provide practical solutions to meet your needs.
For example, some individuals may prefer working in a medical center where they can interact with a close-knit community. In contrast, others may prefer
warehouses or storage facilities where there’s likely to be much less personal interaction with others.
Some might want to work in different venues, like
special events and concerts, where they can see and meet new people all the time. In contrast, others may prefer an
office environment where they’re in the same place, day after day, interacting with the same people.
Matching personnel with customer needs and environments helps them get established with their
security roles more quickly and become better engaged in the customers’ business and culture.
You want to hire a company that stands out from the competition in its ability to meet and exceed your expectations.
Bottom Line
Incorporating the answers to these questions into your vetting process will go a long way toward helping you hire the right security vendor for your business. Keep in mind there are plenty of other critical questions worth asking when choosing a security team. Be sure to take some extra time to go over your specific needs before making an official hire.
The more you know about a security company, the easier it is for you to make an informed decision when the time comes to
hire security for your business.Finding the right
private security firm can be a hassle as there are many security companies in Toronto, with hundreds of them fully licensed. The private security industry is diverse, and at the brink of choice, you must make the right decision. So, what security companies would you pick to ensure premium protection of private property, event, public property, or an individual?
In the past decade, the number of private security guards
offering security services nationwide has quadrupled. From mundane tasks such as parking lot enforcement to offering advanced security guard services and handling private investigations, the entire private security industry is expanding dramatically.
Here are some important factors to consider to make informed choices when hiring a private security guard company.
1. Confirm the licensing of the security company
One of the important things you should consider is whether the security company is licensed, provides exceptional security guard services, and a wide range of security services. If the security company provides armed security guards, unarmed security guards, private investigation services, and other similar services, find out if it has the right license to provide such services.
Keep in mind that private investigation and security guard services are two separate areas of specialization. The Private Security and Investigative Securities Act states that a licensed security guard is an expert who performs the duties of guarding or patrolling properties or individuals for remuneration. A private investigator, on the other hand, conducts investigations to offer specific information for remuneration.
When a private security firm is licensed to provide two different security services, it offers professional security guards and private investigation services. It is also essential to ensure that you hire a private security firm that performs a background check on each of its security officials before recruitment.
2. Make sure the security company owns marked vehicles for patrol activities
private security
Sometimes, the security officials protecting business property or private property may require additional support, particularly in emergency and unfamiliar situations. Mobile security vehicles operated by trained security officials can provide the necessary help. Besides, the security patrol can suffice when a guard isn’t available during their shift.
Note that security guards also need lunch breaks and washroom breaks. A marked security patrol vehicle can cover for them to ensure that their post is not left unattended during these breaks.
3. Find out if the company performs in-house security guard training for internal security staff.
One of the basic requirements that every licensed security guard should meet is the mandatory provision that the guard must have at least 40-hours-long security training. Besides, they should be certified in CPR or Emergency First Aid. This level of training can be obtained through online training or the classroom.
Security officials can also increase their overall ability to perform, particularly if they get training beyond the basic security requirements, including de-escalation and use of force (when necessary). Note that some security service providers tend to contract training activities of their internal security staff to a third party.
In addition to the mandatory training sessions, in-house security official training demonstrates a more significant commitment to the company’s objectives. This often creates a situation of reliability and trust.
4. Specify your budget
It is easy to find professional security companies in Toronto. However, you must define your budget. Sure, there are many security guard companies across the city, but you must find one that provides a professional security guard team you can afford. Keep in mind that different security services providers implement varying pricing models, which is why you must compare prices (rate per security guard) before you hire.
Whether you need regular-looking security personnel, residential security, security checks during an important event, or a robust security approach to protection for property, charges fall in varying categories for various security firms. Here are some of the top security categories that various companies provide services in;
Guest screening
Controlling disputes
Patrolling event areas (whether patrol guards or using mobile security vehicles)
Guard dogs
Driving
Executive protection
5. Hire a security firm whose services are relevant situation
When choosing a security service provider to take charge of the protection of your event, property, or person, you should ratify if the company’s services can address or are relevant to your situation. For instance, you cannot hire parking lot enforcement officers or traffic control guards to protect a VIP with a high net value and a lot of popularity. Besides, if you need subtle security, it is recommended to hire personal bodyguards who can successfully blend well in a mall, street crowd, or even meetings.
No matter your choice, make sure that the security officials you are can adapt to your lifestyle that fits your personality and needs. So, it makes sense first to check the nature of the services a specific Toronto security company provides before hiring.
You can rely on USS private security services.
At Ultimate Security Services, we offer reliable private security services. Our security officials have exceptional driving skills, the ability to perform under pressure and execute their duties perfectly. We have tested their responsiveness in instructions, attention to detail, discretion, and commitment. These security specialists can handle various security incidents, security issues, security systems and prevent losses from property damage. If you need protection for the residential property against vandalism or other advanced security services, you can count on us.