Why Data and Automation Are Crucial For Running A Successful Physical Security Company

Introduction

Data and automation are strongly associated with smoother and more efficient business operations, and the same is true for the physical security industry. However, the impetus to transition to security automation should be greater because the threat landscape is always evolving and the role of security guards periodically undergo massive shifts. Most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic added a layer of symptom screening to the list of common guard duties. Traditional manpower-based physical security is thus no longer sustainable without the help of security automation.

Physical security management software will allow your company to make great strides towards meeting the industry's increasingly complex demands. This article tackles the ways tech-provided data and automation capabilities can benefit a physical security company.

Seamless Information Flow

Security guards need to record a lot of information: incident reports, visitor data, and more. This information needs to be securely stored and readily accessible for review. With the pen and paper method, retrieving information involves sifting through logbooks and datasheets, resulting in considerable time wasted. 

Physical security management software streamlines security operations. For example, security personnel can easily collect visitor data like digital photo IDs, which are uploaded to the cloud and reviewed by managers. Guards can upload reports to a centralised hub, while managers can easily search for any piece of information without needing to be on-site. 

Furthermore, data can be gathered and retrieved in seconds, allowing your staff to focus on improvement rather than continuous day-to-day upkeep. Without the need to spend so much time managing data manually, security personnel have the bandwidth for more salient pursuits. This can involve fine-tuning protocol for more even more efficient operations, scouting out security blind spots, or reviewing incidents. By allowing technology to take over repetitive tasks, security personnel are given more leeway to hone their skills and improve their performance.

Data Availability

The larger your operation is, the more critical data needs to be available at all times. If you are using a closed network, a power shortage or hardware malfunction might cause damaging downtime, and this problem scales with the size of your operation.

As your security operations grow, rotating guard shifts, frequent schedule changes, and other variables can get paralysed if relevant data cannot be accessed. The smallest disruption can cause a domino effect that could have been avoided if your servers were not housed on-site.

Off-loading your physical security data to cloud storage ensures easy accessibility by authorised personnel at any time, preventing blackout situations. This also allows managers to access the information while on the move, or to manage multiple sites at once.

Going for cloud storage is also highly cost-effective; there is no need for external hardware to maintain and upgrade, as well as IT administrators to do troubleshooting and storage logistics upkeep. These are all handled by the SaaS provider. The SaaS provider also continuously improves upon the software to keep it performing well with the latest updates.

Cloud storage also safeguards your data from loss and damage in case of disasters, allowing for faster recovery. By storing data off-site, you are saving yourself from the expense and disruption of operations.

Increased Reliability

Much like so many other types of work, being a guard in the security industry requires a certain degree of task-juggling. Security guards need to stay alert and vigilant, which is their primary function. However, they also need to be thorough with the execution of menial, repetitive tasks such as logging reports and visitor information.

Using physical security management software can automate these ancillary tasks so your guards can focus on key duties.

• Technology offers many benefits to guards:
• Increased productivity, focus, and response - Monitoring features hold guards accountable to stay on their routes and attend to their tasks ASAP, thus curbing delinquency.
• Improved workplace security, health, and safety - More efficient reporting and visitor information gathering offers better protection for guards’ wellbeing, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Better overall performance - Guards are simply able to do more when aided by technology that is specifically designed for them by providing the tools that facilitate their duties.
• Easier adaptation of new guards to the standard operating procedure and other processes - Many processes are made compulsory by design, thus reinforcing consistency in the security services provided regardless of the experience level of the guards on duty.

Refining Protocol and Enhanced Compliance

With an automated physical security management system, managers enjoy greater flexibility to issue orders on the fly. They can do their jobs while on the go, or even manage multiple sites from a single location.

Automated systems provide tracking and monitoring capabilities that will improve employee compliance. Security guards will be less likely to miss any important updates and instructions. Moreover, monitoring increases guard accountability, forcing them to stick to their assignments. This results in heightened discipline and faster response.

These capabilities create a set of communication channels that your team can use even in low bandwidth areas, which is invaluable for maintaining tight operations. Managers can freely oversee guards no matter where they are, providing crucial help in case of emergencies.

Conclusion: Leverage Technology to Gain a Competitive Edge

The operational improvements described so far might be compelling for a security business, but why are they crucial? Competition exerts the strongest impetus to pursue a physical security management system. Leveraging technology raises the bar on resource management for the best outcome, helping you stay ahead of the competition. In time, tech-assisted operations will become the norm and companies who have resisted the transition will have more difficulty catching up.

What technologies have you tapped to improve your physical security company? Learn more about a complete platform for managing remote operations and how it can help you stay ahead of the curve.