The human element of a guard at the gate offers both a visual deterrent and a sense of comfort. But only relying on “boots on the ground” for 24/7 security is also flawed.
It takes a lot of manpower to fully secure premises with an onsite team of guards, making it expensive to be effective. Unfortunately, removing guards to cut operating costs also reduces service quality and efficiency. It really is a “less is less” scenario.
That’s why a hybrid approach, where both offsite CCTV surveillance and on-site guarding are utilized, is the most effective way to ensure optimal safety while retaining a cost centered approach.
This approach makes both financial and practical sense because fewer guards can deliver a better service with the support of a proactive offsite specialist control room. CCTV cameras placed at key points are monitored by controllers trained to detect suspicious behavior and savvy enough to make the right call – be it to deploy onsite guards, armed patrol vehicles or the police – when abnormal activity is detected.
The professional eyes and analytical skills of the offsite team provide intelligence to the brawn. It is simply not practical nor is it humanly possible for onsite guards to be everywhere at once. There is also the possibility that they could not be sufficiently equipped to react appropriately to the situation into which they are deployed.
Our recommendation for a top-level security solution is to combine technology with your armed response team. It’s an excellent safety barrier that makes the best use of security resources whilst also making financial sense.
