http://www.securitysourceonline.com The Latest TOP 10 Security Source Online Blog Entries! en-us Copyright 2012 Security Source Online http://www.securitysourceonline.com/blog/feeds.cfm Sun, 20 May 2012 12:04:05 EST http://www.securitysourceonline.com/images/logo.gif http://www.securitysourceonline.com While armed robberies are not new to the armored car business, attacks on armored car facilities have been far and few in-in-between. However, in the past few years there have been several incidents that made headlines. During July 7 , 2011 an armored car company in South El Mont that services several hundred ATM?s in Los Angeles County was robbed and approximately a million dollars taken when several burglars gained entry through the roof catching the inside management team by surprise.On August 11, 2011 news papers reported another robbery of a Garda Facility in Santa Rosa. The Warehouse is described as being located in a mostly residential area next to a church. As of this writing, no information is available on the amount of money stolen. Newspapers reported that on August 2, 2010 heavily armed masked men forced their way into ATM Solutions in St. Louis overpowering two guards, taking money from the vault and fleeing; $11 million was reported taken.In 2009 three men took a blow torch and gained entry through the roof at the Brink's Columbus armored facility stealing nearly $2.8 million in cash and coin. On November 26, 2007 more than $8 million was taken from an Armored Transport (AT) Armored Facility in Liberty, Ohio during a burglary when an AT employee was able to access the vault during non-business hours transferring money to his personal truck.The last major thefts reported at armored car facilities occurred October 4, 1997 when 8 people reportedly stole $17 million dollars from a Loomis Fargo Company facility in Charlotte, North Carolina. On September 12, 1997 news papers reported nearly $19 million was stolen from the Dunbar, Los Angeles facility. Prior to these events the last major robbery I recall occurred Jan. 5, 1993 at the Brink?s Rochester terminal which at the time was reported as the nation's fifth-biggest armored-car robbery-$7.4 million. One of the better known international facility robberies occurred on Nov. 26, 1983 when robbers gained entry into the Brink?s ? Mat Vaults at Heathrow Airport stealing millions in gold bars.It is well known among burglars and security professionals that roofs are a preferred entrance since they are often unprotected and out of sight. Although many facilities have upgraded their security equipment and processes more needs to occur as it relates to security risk assessments. Security policies and systems have little value unless monitored for compliance. Customers might want to consider revisiting their due diligence process to better ensure that armored car facilities are meeting basic security practices since they could be impacted by service interruption and possibly loss of funds if the money is not covered by insurance and the carrier is unable to repay. Depending on the amount stolen and subsequent damage to the carrier?s reputation, investors may also be impacted.Unless armored car facilities maintain on-going security risk assessments, facility robberies and burglaries may become more common. A security risk analysis could have benefited these locations. However, having state of the art secured facilities can also lead to complacency as was the 2010 case of the Paris Art Museum where burglars stole several hundred million dollars in art by gaining access into the facility without notice due to a faulty alarm that had not functioned in several weeks.Maintaining adequate security is achieved when processes and systems are consistently monitored, managed and revised as necessary to meet changing threats and risk. Throwing money to purchase equipment and systems to fix a problem without first conducting a security risk analysis is not only a waste of capital but it may only create liability. It is the maintenance phase of the security risk analysis that organizations often fall short when they fail to audit, maintain and revise the systems and processes that were installed as security strategies.Disclaimer: This article is written for general information purposes only and is not intended to be and should not be used as a primary source for making security or financial investment decisions.ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Jim McGuffey, M.A., CPP, PSP, PCI Owner of A.C.E. Security Consultants has 35 years of security management experience. Prior to becoming a security consultant Jim served 3 years in the military, 8 years in law enforcement and 26 years in the armored car industry where he held senior positions of Area General Manager, District Manager and Regional Vice President. During his career Jim had responsibility for 70 high risk facilities, a large fleet of trucks and several thousand employees. Jim was awarded numerous national awards for producing leading results in safety, security, customer service, increasing sales and profit which are attested to by references from peers, supervisors and his management team on his Linkedin Profile.Jim has a B.A. Degree in Criminal Justice, an M.A. Degree in Management and is Board Certified in Security Management and Physical Security by the American Society for Industrial Security, International (A.S.I.S.) where he has been an active member since 1981.Jim conducts security risk assessments for organizations and also conducts security risk assessment training. He has been retained as an expert witness in cases involving work place violence, death while in police custody, armored truck crashes, and armored car embezzlement cases. Jim is also called upon by financial investors from various parts of the world who invest in armored car companies to seek industry insight. He is active in his community and serves on several boards in leadership roles and also as a volunteer for organizations addressing homelessness, violence against women, drug and alcohol abuse, and prison ministries.Please contact Jim at jimmcguffey@hargray.com or 215-460-7370 to learn how you can improve safety and security at your business with a security risk analysis or to assist in evaluating security and best practices that should exist at armored car facilities.Certified Protection Professional (CPP) - This certification designates individuals who have demonstrated competency in all areas constituting security management.Physical Security Professional (PSP) - The PSP designation is the certification for those whose primary responsibility is to conduct threat surveys, design integrated security systems that include equipment, procedures and people, or install, operate and maintain those systems.Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) - Holders of the PCI certification have demonstrated education and/or experience in the fields of case management, evidence collection, and case presentation. http://www.securitysourceonline.com/blog/post.cfm?e=103 (SSO) Tue, 06 Mar 2012 07:40:13 PST Conducting a security risk assessment utilizing an experienced security consultant can prove invaluable for your organization. Please review an article titled "Security Risk Assessment? at www.acesecurityconsultants.com for a detailed explanation of the Security Risk Process.The following suggestions are intended in the selection process of a security expert being sought to evaluate and improve your security program and conduct a security risk assessment of your facility. Review over-all security experience. How long has the expert worked in security management? Experience is the most important of all qualifications.Is specific experience required? In my opinion a security consultant who meets the two key requirements (experience and certification) would be qualified to act as a security consultant in the vast majority of security assignments since objectives of security are essentially the same regardless of the organization.Industry certification. The author recommends at minimum that a security consultant who is claiming broad based credentials possess the designation of Certified Protection Professional (CPP). Many of my peers believe that this certification is the highest designation that can be bestowed upon a security practitioner. It could be compared to the C.P.A. designation for an accountant.Formal Education. While I believe education is important, I place experience and certification much higher in the selection process. There are many bright and experienced security consultants as well as CEO?s of major corporations who lack a college degree.General liability insurance. A general liability policy should be in place to protect the consultant and consumer. If the consultant is other than a sole proprietor, some states may require a worker?s compensation policy.Professional memberships. I recommend membership in the American Society for Industrial Security, International (A.S.I.S.) and the International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC). Both organizations are prestigious international security organizations which require membership to demonstrate education and experience prior to acceptance and both have elite certification programs to ensure that the security practitioner is qualified in their fields of expertise. These organizations also develop and share best practices.Publications. While this credential is not crucial in the selection process, publications by the consultant may reflect his or her view points and thought process relative to a particular consulting project.Customer and peer references. I would ask for references from recent customers to determine if the consultant was indeed able to enhance their existing security program via cost effective strategies.Profit and Loss experience. While some of my peers may not think this important I consider PL experience invaluable. Too many times security managers and experts see things from a one-sided perspective and are not able to properly balance risk and profit.Interpersonal skill. Does the consultant possess the skill level needed to interact with employees and senior management and orchestrate the security risk assessment process?Disclaimer: This article is written for general information purposes only and is not intended to be, and should not be used as, a primary source for making security decisions.ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Jim McGuffey, M.A., CPP, PSP, PCI Owner of A.C.E. Security Consultants has 35 years of security management experience. Prior to becoming a security consultant Jim served 3 years in the military, 8 years in law enforcement and 26 years in the armored car industry where he held senior positions of Area General Manager, District Manager and Regional Vice President. During his career Jim had responsibility for 70 high risk facilities, a large fleet of trucks and several thousand employees. Jim was awarded numerous national awards for producing leading results in safety, security, customer service, increasing sales and profit which are attested to by references from peers, supervisors and his management team on his LinkedIn Profile.Jim has a B.A. Degree in Criminal Justice, an M.A. Degree in Management and is Board Certified in Security Management and Physical Security by the American Society for Industrial Security, International (A.S.I.S.) where he has been an active member since 1981.Jim conducts security risk assessments for organizations and also conducts security risk assessment training. He has been retained as an expert witness in cases involving work place violence, death while in police custody, armored truck crashes, and armored car embezzlement cases. Jim is also called upon by financial investors from various parts of the world who invest in armored car companies to seek industry insight. He is active in his community and serves on several boards in leadership roles and also as a volunteer for organizations addressing homelessness, violence against women, drug and alcohol abuse, and prison ministries.Please contact Jim at jimmcguffey@hargray.com or 215-460-7370 to learn how you can improve safety and security at your business with a security risk analysis or to assist in evaluating security and best practices that should exist at armored car facilities.Certified Protection Professional (CPP) - This certification designates individuals who have demonstrated competency in all areas constituting security management.Physical Security Professional (PSP) - The PSP designation is the certification for those whose primary responsibility is to conduct threat surveys, design integrated security systems that include equipment, procedures and people, or install, operate and maintain those systems.Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) - Holders of the PCI certification have demonstrated education and/or experience in the fields of case management, evidence collection, and case presentation. http://www.securitysourceonline.com/blog/post.cfm?e=102 (SSO) Tue, 06 Mar 2012 07:21:39 PST This article is intended as a basic over view of the cash-in-transit industry for customers, investors, security managers and others interested in the products and services provided by the cash-in-transit industry as well as some of the risks and challenges facing the industry.The cash-in-transit industry which has been known for decades as the armored car business is now often thought of as a cash management business. The exact number of carriers operating in the U.S. constantly changes but it is estimated to be 55 to 65 carriers, with several large carriers dominating the majority of US markets, transporting, storing, processing and managing billions of dollars each year. The U.S. economy and markets depend on the global distribution and management of these funds. Most carriers in the armored car industry provide a total cash management solution for their customers. Customers consist largely of financial and retail businesses but also include government agencies and any business requiring the protection, storage, distribution and management of valuables.As recently as 15 years ago, upon entering an armored car facility you would have observed a garage area that consumed a substantial amount of space utilized for parking trucks. The next largest space was administrative and vaulting functions, with the smallest amount of space used for currency and coin processing operations. Space allocation would also vary depending on the climate since more space was allocated in colder climates for inside parking.Space allocation changed as carriers began to realize the value in managing cash for their customers. Upon entering carrier locations today, while the garage still consumes substantial space, many facilities now support cash management systems and numerous teller stations. A few carriers maintain a large centrally located cash center with their Armored/ATM Branches located in a circular fashion surrounding the main cash center where cash is pick-up and dropped off daily.When I started my career in the cash-in-transit industry nearly 30 years ago on the armored side of the business, armored car managers were responsible for starting up basic cash processing operations consisting of a single pocket currency counter and a fax machine to receive orders from financial institutions and send daily balance reports. With the evolution of technology and high speed processing equipment, this is no longer the case and managers with banking or other types of money processing backgrounds are often recruited to manage this product line.Many financial and retail institutions outsource their currency and coin operations to carriers. This is a logical choice since carriers are transporting and storing these funds. Managing currency has grown tremendously with numerous carriers dedicating state-of-the art facilities entirely for currency processing and management of this profitable product line. Even those facilities offering mostly traditional transport services allocate substantially more space for currency and coin services.The growth in this product line has created a significant ROI, resulting in the traditional armored product line in some cases, being sold as a loss leader to obtain more lucrative cash management business. I do not recommend this practice since the armored businesses still encompass the bulk of carrier revenue and diluting the traditional and larger pieces of the business can result in lack of proper evaluation and pricing risk experienced on the street.Within a few years, some predict that the cash management product line will surpass the traditional armored businesses. Change and growth in cash management will be mostly driven by retailers seeking a more efficient method to handle cash from both a risk and service prospective.Industry Products and Services:Carriers use different terms to describe their products and services. One carrier may refer to the processing of currency as currency processing while another may refer to it as cash management. Transporting valuables in a truck may be referred to as cash-in-transit services, armored services, transport services, or by other descriptive terms.Transportation or Cash-in-Transit involves picking up and taking valuables to designated points. This basic service still remains the largest revenue producer for most carriers even though cash management is closing the gap. Carriers utilize armored vans or trucks to transport valuables. Some carriers use vans when servicing ATM?s or carrying lighter loads but a van chassis does not support the weight of coin or heavy currency loads. The cardinal rule in the cash-in-transit business is to always get and give a receipt. Most crews consist of two people; however carriers should use three person crews when carrying higher liabilities aboard trucks or servicing locations in higher risk areas.Cash Management/Currency Processing is the fastest growing and most sought after service provided by carriers. Cash management consists of verifying, reconciling, processing, forecasting, storing, and total management of customer cash and coin in a seamless and transparent manner for the customer. Carriers experience the largest return on investment from this product for several reasons. Risk issues are better managed since supervisors are able to work closely with their tellers and CCTV systems are engaged in monitoring processes to ensure compliance. Unlike crews working on the trucks who must deal with traffic, accidents, robberies and other variables that substantially impact profits in a negative fashion, processing currency is done in a controlled environment under close supervision.Coin Processing is out sourced by some carriers to other firms that specialize in processing coin. Coin service consists of storing, processing, packaging, distributing and managing coin contained and shipped in box, bag or other sealed containers. Laxity and complacency when handing coin has resulted in the theft of substantial funds. In some cases coin is not discovered missing or reported as quickly as currency. As with any loss, the sooner it is reported and the investigation begins, the better the chance for recovery and resolution.Audits similar to those recommended for currency should also be conducted periodically for coin. A walk through of a carrier?s facility can often reveal a carrier?s attitude regarding coin. If coin is left in areas unprotected by CCTV and other controls, a loss is certain to occur. CCTV video should be maintained for a minimum of 90 days. Under most contracts, carriers are not responsible for losses reported after a certain period of time. However, customers have requested manifests for items that were delivered by a carrier more than a year earlier. Thanks to enhancements in digital video, storing and retrieving data is much easier today than in past years.Storage of valuables normally goes hand-in-hand with transportation services. However, some customers store gold, silver, computer disks, nurse and other professional examinations, and other valuables. These valuable are stored for long periods of time without requiring transport services. To properly protect these valuables, a daily audit is required as well as other stringent controls.Responsibility for vendor management of carriers should be rotated every few years since vendor managers tend to become too close to their carrier contacts which can create credibility issues on both sides. This closeness can also result in a lack of objectivity during a Request for Proposal for services.The downside of changing vendor managers is that new managers may lack the experience gained by the former manager. However there are more upsides gained by changing managers and newer managers can spend sufficient time with the former manager prior to exchanging roles to gain adequate insight. ATM Services are often provided in conjunction with traditional cash-in-transit service. Some carriers provide a full ATM service package to include the actual purchase and installation of the ATM, full maintenance service, cash replenishment, cash-processing and total management of all ATM funds. Servicing ATM?s by armored car crew members is extremely dangerous when the ATM units are located in an area exposed to customer traffic or other high risk areas and should be serviced by three person crews.Electronic Safes are known by various brand names. These safes are primarily used by retail customers experiencing high turn-over and internal theft issues as well as spending significant time at the end of each shift reconciling receipts and cash. Even without theft issues, these safes can substantially reduce management downtime which can be better used by customers for growing and managing the business.Most carriers partner with different safe manufacturers to offer a wide scope of services using these electronic safes which come in various sizes. The store clerk places bills into a bill validator located on the safe which verifies the bill by denomination. Coin is placed into a separate storage compartment as are checks. These units provide shift reports and daily audit reports for the cash which can also be reviewed electronically via a web based system by an owner or manager to evaluate funds available, shrinkage issues, and other useful business purposes. These safes also dispense coin and provide some degree of currency counterfeit detection.Properly managed and used in conjunction with a well managed CCTV system, the use of these safes can substantially reduce internal theft. A few customers reported that currency shrinkage was entirely eliminated. However, as with any security strategy, complacency can occur unless processes and systems are properly managed.These safes are also used to provide provisional credit which means that customer assets can now earn interest at the time funds are deposited into the safe, depending on banking relationships and regulations.Stationary Vaults are mostly located inside a mall lacking a bank. These vaults are used by store owners inside the mall. The vault provides customer change orders that are available during normal course of mall hours. Carriers can sell this service to retailers at a substantially less rate since the armored crew makes only one stop at the vault to gather the deposits and replenish expended coin and currency. Customers benefit with reduced rates in addition to having the ability to withdraw change and make deposit drops without waiting on their carrier to arrive. This service has proven to be more in demand at locations without a nearby bank.Virtual Vault Service utilizes a web based system. For banking locations with numerous branches, this service can help reduce cross-shipping charges from the Federal Reserve Bank. An example of cross shipping occurs when a bank ships to the Federal Reserve Bank $100,000 in tens while ordering 100,000 in tens at the same time. This web based system provides faster and more accurate processing and reporting and allows customers to review historical data to forecast cash needs which results in better management of funds. This service also allows customers to capture new business wherever carrier trucks operate. An example of a need for this service is a bank headquartered in California which provides service for a retailer located in multiple states seeks to use a single carrier. Both the retailer and bank want to expand their relationship; however the bank is unable to add locations fast enough or lacks sufficient expansion capital. An agreement is reached with a carrier, usually within the same footprint as the retailer to provide cash management services and a solution for this logistical concern. Funds are then picked up by the carrier and returned to the carrier?s facility for processing. Data is electronically transmitted to the banking relationship with seamless transparency for the customer.Bar Encoding:Substantial investments are required in bar encoding technology to reduce carrier risk and add value for customers. While bar encoding has been utilized by logistical companies for many years, this technology continues to be rolled out by some U.S. carriers. A few regional carriers pioneered this technology several years ahead of larger carriers, realizing the value it added for their customers. When bar encoding is fully implemented, the system improves accuracy and eliminates hours of hand writing information onto manifests and again rewriting those same items that are returned to the carrier?s branch. The system captures information which is used for billing, saving substantial hours within the billing department while improving accuracy and making information more readily available carriers and customers. In addition to increasing vault productivity and security enhancements another value added is referred to as proof of delivery (POD). Customers often call their carrier looking for proof of delivery for items. Prior to bar encoding, the carrier had to search through boxes of files looking for a manifest containing a customer?s signature for the item in question. While most requests are resolved by locating the manifest reflecting proof of delivery the search can take time, depending on the number of requests and the length of time that passed since the item was scheduled for delivery.Carrier Due Diligence:Regardless of upgrades in systems and technology, the three basic components that have always protected customers and carriers are integrity, financial strength and a solid cargo insurance policy. Reference to these basic protection factors can be found in Security Management Magazine (ASIS Publication) in articles that I wrote in 1993 and 2009.Conducting due diligence when reviewing carriers financial capabilities and a having a thorough understanding of the carrier?s insurance policy are imperative in the selection process. Insurance must be adequate for size and scope of carrier operation. A carrier must maintain the financial strength to repay a large loss should for whatever reason the cargo policy fail to pay a customer claim.A thorough due diligence process should apply to all carriers regardless of carrier size or reported financial strength. Customers should verify prompt repayment for loss situations with other customers of like size. Financial strength and a solid insurance policy may mean little to a customer, if the carrier has a history of failing to reimburse for losses. If a loss is clearly the responsibility of the carrier, many carriers will reimburse within 30 days.In order to reduce insurance costs, carriers self insure for a certain dollar amount. This means that should the loss occur and it is less than the self insured amount, the carrier pays the loss. The same process applies to truck insurance in states where allowed. Carriers are banking on their ability to manage risk and if they are successful in this objective, insurance premiums are reduced substantially.Training is essential to a carrier?s success. Training should consist of approximately 40 hours of classroom to include firearms, driving and basic security training since many new employees have never driven a large truck or handled a firearm. Carriers should require mandatory completion of classroom training followed by OJT training and on-going certification. Most carriers use training as a selling point to customers. The best way to ascertain that training is occurring is to ask the crews. Due diligence is especially important during economic downturns to ensure that crucial areas such as training are not curtailed. Training is an important management function. Professional, on-going training programs implemented with qualified and quality instructors can improve employee retention, customer service, risk metrics and bottom-line profits.When conducting a carrier facility tour, it pays to be observant. Pay attention to the equipment being used. Has the carrier invested in proper equipment to move coin or cash throughout the facility and for storage? Are employees in uniform? Is horseplay occurring? Is there a dual alarm system? Are cameras properly placed? If trucks are remaining in the garage, how do they look? Some customers entrust substantial funds with carriers and these funds must be adequately protected. A prior check-list should be developed to ensure that contractual requirements are reviewed and are in full compliance.Managing Risk:Managing money, trucks and guns is about managing risk. It requires the ability to balance risk with profit. Managers must make safety and security equal to productivity. While some events are difficult to prevent, there are many actions that can be taken to reduce risk.During my industry tenure I participated in numerous security audits and I strongly endorse unannounced and random security and cash audits. During a cash and coin audit, inventories are counted to make certain that all cash is present. These audits should occur in conjunction with other customers who maintain on site inventories at carrier locations. This collective effort will help to ensure that an inventory is not moved from one side of the storage room to the other side just prior to an audit occurring. Failing to properly audit funds stored at carrier locations have resulted in very large losses with some of these losses remaining unpaid. During audits, a review of policies is also conducted to ensure contractual compliance. While many facilities and cash rooms are monitored with new digital CCTV systems, some are not. Should customers request to review video during an investigation or incident, it is important that the system produce a clear viewing of the process involving the items in question. Customers who assume that carriers storing substantial amounts of money have state-of-art security systems in place may be in for a rude awakening if funds are missing. Facilities should have back-up generators to support operations during power failures. A review of carrier back-up systems is an action that all customers should require as part of their Business Continuity Plan since a simple power outage can adversely impact customers if the carrier is unable to process and distribute cash.Ascertain the type and condition of the back-up generator in place to ensure that it provides sufficient power to support the size and scope of operation occurring at the facility. I would also ask to review records reflecting the testing of the generator and inquire about back-up systems for computer data. Is computer data backed up nightly and if so where is it stored and what are the protective measures? What is the contingency plan should a major disruptive event occur?There are many actions both carriers and vendors can take to protect their valuables. One of the most overlooked actions is ensuring the quality of the disposable plastic bags used to store and transport funds. Security was enhanced when the industry switched from cloth bags and lead seals to disposable plastic bags which are referred to as evident tamper resistant bags.However, there are plastic bags in existence that can be easily compromised without leaving indications of such compromise. One issue occurs when a bag is compromised using cold or heat and then resealed without reflecting a marking such as "VOID? in the area where penetration or attempted penetration occurred. In this case, money is easily removed and the bag resealed without indication compromise.Another issue occurs when a bag reflects a marking indicating that it has been compromised simply through the normal handling process of the bag without the bag actually being compromised. This is referred to as a false positive reading which leads to complacency by tellers.There are other concerns such as the quality and thickness of the plastic which cause the bag to burst if the plastic is lacking in quality or thickness. As with any change in security practices, there should be a risk assessment conducted prior to a change. Please refer to my paper, The Security Risk Assessment.Financial institutions entrust highly confidential information to carriers. This information must be protected and additional protection must be required for lap-tops that can be easily stolen or compromised if left unattended.Crew Size and Low Wages and Few Benefits:The last time many front-line crews enjoyed higher wages, better benefits and three person crews were when larger carriers were represented by the Teamsters in the early 80?s. It was in the early 80?s that carriers refused to honor existing contracts with the Teamsters at which time wages and benefits were substantially reduced and with few exceptions three-person crews became a thing of the past.Pre-employment screening:Reducing risk is best accomplished by hiring the right person. New candidates should undergo a criminal background check, motor vehicle check, credit check, past employment and other reference checks, drug testing and most of all and in my opinion the most overlooked is a thorough interview conducted by a seasoned interviewer trained to ask follow-up questions when deceptive responses are suspected. All carriers interview but some interviewers lack training. Carriers may elect to use polygraph and other honest tests in states that permit such tests. This paper is not intended to discuss all areas that need to be reviewed but hopefully it provides insight into the importance of a thorough review process of an industry entrusted with billions of dollars. Industry Concerns:The industry requires leadership who understands the importance of balancing risk with profit. Leadership must be confident enough with their organization to sell the business at rates that support wage increases for their front-line people, improvements in technology and upgrades in security systems.The industry cannot continue to increase responsibility of front-line crews while paying low wages that are nowhere close to being commensurate with level of risk and responsibility experienced daily. Following large mergers and acquisitions in the 90?s, customers leveraged their size in markets, driving down already low transportation rates to the point that in my opinion will not support quality growth and sustain quality programs needed to manage a high risk business. Handling cash is very costly, time consuming and presents significant risk for carriers and customers. The objective for carriers and manufacturers of industry equipment is to reduce cash handling and expedite credit for cash in transit so that it becomes a performing asset. The retail environment is the primary target for cash recycling equipment and applications to improve handling efficiencies and reduce risk. Some carriers are testing cash recycling units which are not much larger than an ATM via a pilot program in select retail stores but there are concerns to be worked out in the reconciliation process. A recent threat to the industry is the attacks on cash-in-transit facilities. There have been 3 in the past year compared to few in previous years which are noted in my paper "Attacks on Armored Car Facilities.?Carriers implementing technology to improve internal efficiencies and reduce handling fees while providing faster credit to customers will continue to gain an immense competitive advantage. The key to success has and will continue to be the investment in people, technology and equipment while balancing risk with profit.Disclaimer: This article is written for general information purposes only and is not intended to be and should not be used as a primary source for making security or financial investment decisions. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Jim McGuffey, M.A., CPP, PSP, PCI Owner of A.C.E. Security Consultants has 35 years of security management experience. Prior to becoming a security consultant Jim served 3 years in the military, 8 years in law enforcement and 26 years in the armored car industry where he held senior positions of Area General Manager, District Manager and Regional Vice President. During his career Jim had responsibility for 70 high risk facilities, a large fleet of trucks and several thousand employees. Jim was awarded numerous national awards for producing leading results in safety, security, customer service, increasing sales and profit which are attested to by references from peers, supervisors and his management team on his LinkedIn Profile.Jim has a B.A. Degree in Criminal Justice, an M.A. Degree in Management and is Board Certified in Security Management and Physical Security by the American Society for Industrial Security, International (A.S.I.S.) where he has been an active member since 1981.Jim conducts security risk assessments for organizations and also conducts security risk assessment training. He has been retained as an expert witness in cases involving work place violence, death while in police custody, armored truck crashes, and armored car embezzlement cases. Jim is also called upon by financial investors from various parts of the world who invest in armored car companies to seek industry insight. He is active in his community and serves on several boards in leadership roles and also as a volunteer for organizations addressing homelessness, violence against women, drug and alcohol abuse, and prison ministries.Please contact Jim at jimmcguffey@hargray.com or 215-460-7370 to learn how you can improve safety and security at your business with a security risk analysis or to assist in evaluating security and best practices that should exist at armored car facilities.Certified Protection Professional (CPP) - This certification designates individuals who have demonstrated competency in all areas constituting security management.Physical Security Professional (PSP) - The PSP designation is the certification for those whose primary responsibility is to conduct threat surveys, design integrated security systems that include equipment, procedures and people, or install, operate and maintain those systems.Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) - Holders of the PCI certification have demonstrated education and/or experience in the fields of case management, evidence collection, and case presentation. http://www.securitysourceonline.com/blog/post.cfm?e=101 (SSO) Tue, 06 Mar 2012 07:04:45 PST Cash-in-Transit carriers like many businesses look for ways to improve profits. However, smart carriers don?t shortcut training to increase profit knowing that short-term profit gains mean little if there is a fatal truck crash due to a decision to reduce training for drivers.Since carrier drivers and guards are largely unsupervised, training is crucial to ensure that front line team members are well versed in policies and procedures and organizational objectives prior to being assigned a route.Training is an area that is sometimes viewed as expendable when increased profits are demanded or when staffing issues arise due to large pieces of new business starting or when the economy is good and hiring becomes difficult. The downturn of the economy in 2008 had a positive impact on employee retention which normally results in improved training and subsequent benefits of improved safety, security and customer service.When staffing issues arise, front-line employees are sometimes placed on trucks and given a firearm without training resulting in substantial risks for carriers, customers and employees. Prior to driving an armored truck many newly hired drivers have never driven a truck of any type or fired a firearm.Suggestions for sound training program:1) Training must occur immediately after the employee is hired if the employee is being placed on board a truck. There can be no exceptions to this rule. There are situations where it may be necessary for an employee to have a few weeks under their belt to gain a better understanding of the business prior to training, but these exceptions are rare. Even in rare exceptions there must be some sort of basic indoctrination to basic policies, work environment and security and safety procedures. 2) Instructors must be qualified on the topics taught and represent the organization in a positive manner. Selecting the right trainer is crucial to the success of a training program. 3) Training must be documented and signed off by both the employee and the instructor and reviewed and audited by management. 4) A training record should be maintained separately from other documentation placed inside the employee?s personnel jacket. 4) Testing must occur to ensure that the employee has grasped the material covered. 5) Instructors should be rated by the employees being trained and these ratings reviewed by management and the instructor. 6) For certain functions such as driving or firearms training, the instructors must have certification such as Smith System or NRA certification which must be monitored to ensure renewal upon expiration of certification. 7) Documentation is crucial in training. When OSHA conducts a site inspection the inspector will ask to see training documentation. Documented training also helps management when reviewing employee performance to ensure that the employee has received adequate training. 8) Training must be on-going and tracked to make sure that it occurs in a timely fashion. 9) Organizational incidents both positive and negative should be studied and incorporated into future training programs to prevent reoccurrences and improve results.The author suggests that customers review training programs that carriers often share in the sales process to ensure that these programs are an integral part of their business. One method to determine if training occurs is to ask an employee questions about their training program.About the Author:Jim McGuffey, M.A., CPP, PSP, PCI Owner of A.C.E. Security Consultants has 35 years of security management experience. Prior to becoming a security consultant Jim served 3 years in the military, 8 years in law enforcement and 26 years in the armored car industry where he held senior positions of Area General Manager, District Manager and Regional Vice President. During his career Jim had responsibility for 70 high risk facilities, a large fleet of trucks and several thousand employees. Jim was awarded numerous national awards for producing leading results in safety, security, customer service, increasing sales and profit which are attested to by references from peers, supervisors and his management team on his Linkedin Profile.Jim has a B.A. Degree in Criminal Justice, an M.A. Degree in Management and is Board Certified in Security Management and Physical Security by the American Society for Industrial Security, International (A.S.I.S.) where he has been an active member since 1981.Jim conducts security risk assessments for organizations and also conducts security risk assessment training. He has been retained as an expert witness in cases involving work place violence, death while in police custody, armored truck crashes, and armored car embezzlement cases. Jim is also called upon by financial investors from various parts of the world who invest in armored car companies to seek industry insight. He is active in his community and serves on several boards in leadership roles and also as a volunteer for organizations addressing homelessness, violence against women, drug and alcohol abuse, and prison ministries.Please contact Jim at jimmcguffey@hargray.com or 215-460-7370 to learn how you can improve safety and security at your business with a security risk analysis or to assist in evaluating security and best practices that should exist at armored car facilities.Certified Protection Professional (CPP) - This certification designates individuals who have demonstrated competency in all areas constituting security management.Physical Security Professional (PSP) - The PSP designation is the certification for those whose primary responsibility is to conduct threat surveys, design integrated security systems that include equipment, procedures and people, or install, operate and maintain those systems.Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) - Holders of the PCI certification have demonstrated education and/or experience in the fields of case management, evidence collection, and case presentation. http://www.securitysourceonline.com/blog/post.cfm?e=100 (SSO) Tue, 06 Mar 2012 06:38:03 PST "In the world of executive protection it is of great importance to see how quickly you could become fully operational again after being shot from close range?, Robert Kaiser says after personally being shot, testing their new covert bullet proof vests.A high definition video has now been made available on YouTube, highlighting the CEO of PPSS Body Armour being shot from approx 9 feet or 3 meters. View hereThe shot was fired from a Glock 19 handgun, using 9x19mm FMJ 124gr ammunition.Robert Kaiser is one of the very first men in this industry who has decided to ?put his money where his mouth is?."I have seen many body armour companies making astonishing claims, so I decided to offer real physical evidence using live ammunition? he says.Robert explained in great depth and personally ensured this video was not produced to create any type of tough guy image, and it should also not be seen a disregard to human life.Having viewed the video, it is fair to say that all reasonable and necessary precautions have been taken prior to the production. One of the country?s leading trauma nurse was present, paramedics were on stand by and an IV was prepared in order to infuse essential drugs in case something did go wrong.PPSS Body Armour have now launched this ultra light and extremely thin NIJ Level IIIA+ bullet proof vest in order to offer executive and diplomatic security professionals the best possible concealable protection.With a weight of only 1.65kg, a thickness of just 6.5mm and protective area of 0.28sqm, this new outstanding bullet proof vest certainly means business.Made out of a high performance ballistic material, this new bullet proof vest also offers additional protection from Tokarev Ball 7.62 x 25mm and Makarov 9 x 18mm.Waterproof and breathable Cordura 180 and groundbreaking temperature controlling Outlast space technology make this great body armour an ideal choice especially in hot and humid conditions.A specially developed 0.85mm trauma liner provides extremely effective blunt trauma protection.Please contact PPSS Group directly on +44 (0) 845 5193 953 email info@ppss-group.com or visit www.ppss-group.com PPSS Group is a UK based company, specialised in the design, development and manufacturing of high performance bite and cut resistant clothing and body armour. PPSS Group is also the company behind Cut-Tex PRO, a groundbreaking and one of the world?s strongest cut, tear and abrasion resistant fabrics, now being used to manufacture cut and bite resistant clothing for police, military, emergency services, prisons, mental health care and private security firms all over the world.Robert Kaiser, CEO of PPSS Group is a globally respected expert in body armour and known for his passion for personal protection and personal safety. He is frequently invited to speak in front of large audiences about the latest body armour developments within homeland security and domestic frontline services. He is acting as a body armour consultant for a number of organisations, associations, unions and government departments. http://www.securitysourceonline.com/blog/post.cfm?e=99 (SSO) Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:42:34 PST There are a number of security consultants listed on this Website. Most of the security consultants that are members of Security Source Online are competent, well experienced and maintain a high degree of integrity. They bring a wide range of expertise to the clients they serve whether on the factory floor, a hospital, shopping center or in the courtroom.The value of Security Consultants is that they are able to bring an objective point of view to the clients they serve. In order for them to bring objectivity to the table, security consultants should be independent professionals without ties to the vendor side of the industry. For those of you outside the security consulting world, you may be surprised to know there is a good deal of friendship and mutual respect among these professionals. You will find that most have several years of multifaceted experience prior to hanging out their shingle. Most security consultants hold the CPP designation, along with other certifications.What benefits are derived through the use of Security Consultants?As mentioned, the first benefit is objectivity. Many of the organizations we work with have experienced security professionals running their security programs, yet they avail themselves. One may question why an experienced security manager would go outside and hire a consultant. In almost all cases, the reason given is they are seeking a fresh objective perspective. Because experienced security consultants have worked for a variety of diverse clientele, they have a wide range of experience to call upon. They understand many vertical industries and they understand the need to ensure that each security programs is responsive to the situational environment at hand. This objectivity is also useful in helping clients choosing security vendors. Not all vendors are created equally and some vendors who may be strong in Peoria may not be so strong in Sacramento. Because of their breadth of experience, security consultants have a good understanding what works and what doesn?t work. Their perspective is also buttressed by the fact they frequently communicate with one-another. This knowledge helps ensure to that scarce resources produce will optimal ROI for the clients they serve. They understand that most security programs most meet the corporate goal of management. Security consultants understand the need to ensure that each security program fits within the framework of the organization as determined by the C-Suite.Finally, our role as security consultants is a positive one. The best security consultants do not come into an organization with the preconceived notion to find fault and with the intent to rebuild the security program in their own image. Rather our role is to come into an organization to discover what is right and what is working, and then determine how to make it better. This concept is generally referred to as positive consulting as opposed to coming to a project with the predisposition to find fault.As we said at the onset, there are numerous security consultants here at Security Source Online. Most security consultants are driven, to one degree or another, by a certain sense of altruism. If you doubt this, contact some of the consultants on this website. You will find them forthcoming and willing to have a discussion on a wide range of concerns you may have. You will also find that of you raise an issue outside the realm of their expertise; they will refer you to one or more of their colleagues.Security consultants provide comprehensive security assessment, provide security management support, develop security system RFPs, provide security designs as well as project management support. Many security consultants are active in the forensic area as court qualified expert witnesses.I hope this topic evokes some discussion form our members and other interested parties. I hope we can elicit differing points of views from other consultants and well as the pros and cons from those who have used security consultants. All security professionals strive for excellence and forums like this advance that cause. http://www.securitysourceonline.com/blog/post.cfm?e=98 (SSO) Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:13:58 PST by Felix P. Nater, CSCRecent news reports of workplace related acts of homicides by non-employees raises concerns relative to workplace safety and security in general. Are employer's misunderstanding that violence prevention consist of 4 Categories of Workplace Violence ( see chart above). Your workplace violence prevention program will serve organization's best if the focus is not only the employee threat but also the threat posed by criminals during robberies, vendors, and intimate partners violence. Since the Postal Service Oklahoma Multiple Homicides in August of 1986 and my experiences in workplace violence since, I've learned that workplaces are unique settings with their cultures and circumstances. In the case of the Postal Service during those years, I participated in hundreds of nonfatal incidents all emanating from one degree of misunderstanding or another in many instances having nothing to do with criminal behavior and everything to do with stress brought about by a variety of societal, environmental, family and medical contributing factors. I quickly earned a special respect for the assignment and respect for the Postal Service that serves as the foundation of my consulting model today.Most organizations mean well but are ill prepared in their approaches to workplace violence prevention. Not enough time is spent on assessment and analysis of workplace settings; areas that would yield measurable results in violence prevention planning and response. Even today as I respond to workplace issues the underlining reason for confrontations emanate from stresses associated with autocratic leadership, permissive environments, disparate treatment and bullying to mention a few examples. You will always have conflict, arguments and fights.Organizations that react to training as the solution do so without studying the circumstances and identifying the proper training solution in averting situations that rise to the act of homicide. Now as I discovered then, there is employee distrust and lack of credibility in resolving employee complaints and the notion of workplace security. Often times employees witnessed victims being labeled trouble makers who were merely reporting their observations. Soon enough these "complainers" were isolated and made to feel like they were the problem.An accountable workplace culture is a huge step towards creating employee enjoyment and trust and less conflict. What we do know is that prior violence is not a constant indicator in profiling potential threats. There are sufficient examples of incidents where the shooter did not have a prior criminal history of violence or violent prone past. Employers would enhance their workplace violence prevention initiatives by focusing in on contributing factors, conditions and situations that create workplace stress and lead to potential retaliatory reaction. Taking aggressive proactive prevention measures creates a culture of accountability in preventing workplace violence.Even if you are in the state of denial in that workplace violence can't happen here or that workplace violence isn't preventable, please think twice about not doing anything. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound in cure. Plan for the "when" and not the "if". Felix P. Nater, CSCNater Associates, Ltd.Security Management ConsultantsNew York and North Carolina OfficesToll Free: 1-877-valu101Direct: 1-516-285-8484Fax: 1-917-338-2576Email: nater@naterassociates.comWebsite: www.naterassociates.com http://www.securitysourceonline.com/blog/post.cfm?e=97 (SSO) Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:16:27 PST Any security professional that has worked in the healthcare environment for the first time, especially hospitals, quickly realizes the uniqueness of this environment. The security challenges of providing adequate security to a hospital, whether large or small, whether urban or rural, are unlike any other environment. Because most patients are totally reliant on the hospital for their person safety and security, the reasonable standard of care for adequacy is very high. Add to that reality that most hospitals are, intentionally, very accessible faculties; the challenge becomes even more daunting. The question becomes: How do we maintain a warm and welcoming milieu and at the same time, provide adequate and sufficient security for patients, visitor and staff.Security providers are now addressing these challenges head on. They are beginning to understand that hospitals have their own lingo and value systems. If the security provider does not thoroughly understand this nomenclature and value system, they generally will not get very far.In response to this unique vertical security market, security providers are taking the time to understand the unique needs of the healthcare environment. For example, there are a number of consultants that are well informed as to the special security needs of hospitals. These consultants have taken the time and energy to join and participate in such organizations as IAHSS, ASHES, ACHE and ASHRM (If you don?t know these organizations, look them up.)We are also seeing that major security companies, such as Securitas and G4S, developing security program offerings specifically for hospitals. These companies are bringing well experienced former hospital security executives into their security organizations to ensure they get it right. The critical challenge for contract security agencies, especially when working in the hospital environment, is to control turnover. The negative impact of turnover in the hospital environment is much greater that the same turnover in other commercial venues. In a hospital setting, security officers are required to make judgment calls several times a day. This means that they must have complete familiarity with the hospital they are assigned to. Turnover diminishes this ability.Finally, we are also seeing technology companies emerging within the healthcare vertical. For example ADT, probably the one of the oldest security and fire protection companies in the world, has jumped into the healthcare vertical with both feet. They are able to integrate exiting disparate stems, and provide a variety of state of the art enhancements if needs dictate. This allows hospitals to enhance security efficiency while reducing reliance on additional FTEs and significantly reduce exposure to liability claims. One lawsuit avoided will buy a lot of security. Reliance on FTEs can be lessened through the application of virtual video tours and/or virtual video escorts.The lessons learned in the hospital environment should be applied to many other industries. You will see that the companies mentioned here and others have devoted space on their respective website to the hospital vertical market. Vertical niche market works! http://www.securitysourceonline.com/blog/post.cfm?e=96 (SSO) Mon, 10 Oct 2011 07:32:17 PST by Robert Kaiser"PPSS have now launched one of the lightest and thinnest NIJ Level IIIA+ bullet proof vests in order to offer those who protect and serve the best possible concealable protection? Robert Kaiser, their CEO states.Made out of high performance Dyneema SB51, this new bullet proof vest also offers additional protection from Tokarev Ball 7.62 x 25mm and Makarov 9 x 18mm.Waterproof and breathable Cordura 180 and groundbreaking temperature controlling Outlast space technology, are two further exceptional materials used for this great new body armour.A specially developed 0.85mm trauma liner provides extremely effective blunt trauma protection.With a weight of only 1.65kg, a thickness of just 6.5mm and protective area of 0.28sqm, this new outstanding bullet proof vest certainly means business."Every gram we can shave off the weight of body armour will improve the comfort of the wearer, and subsequently reduce the risk of human error due to fatigue and exhaustion?."Our ambitious goal was to develop one of the thinnest, lightest and most comfortable bullet proof vests, and it is now crystal clear that together with our manufacturing partners in Sweden we have successfully reached our objective?, says Robert Kaiser.Available test results also confirm the company?s claim the body armour offer an exceptional high level of protection from hypodermic needles.PPSS bullet proof vests are initially available as covert (model: CV1) and executive (model: EV1) version, in standard sizes ranging from S to XXXL.A breath taking HD video of Robert Kaiser demonstrating the performance of this great new bullet proof vest can be viewed on the PPSS website.Please contact PPSS Group directly on +44 (0) 845 5193 95 email info@ppss-group.com or visit www.ppss-group.com.UK based PPSS Group is specialised in the development of body armour, bullet proof vests, stab vests and cut resistant clothing, aiming to protect police, military, emergency services, prisons and private security professionals all over the world.Robert Kaiser, CEO of PPSS Group is frequently invited to speak in front of large audiences about the latest body armour developments within homeland security and domestic frontline services. He is acting as body armour consultant for a number of organisations, associations and government departments. His genuine passion for personal safety and personal protection is widely respected. http://www.securitysourceonline.com/blog/post.cfm?e=95 (SSO) Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:03:41 PST by Robert Kaiser"Of course? you might say, "we would not expect to hear anything else from someone who runs a company that is specialized in the development of body armor? does it not make a lot of commercial sense to him??But why don?t you just ignore this fact for a couple of minutes while you are reading my blog. Just for once, accept the fact that some professionals actually genuinely care, have other people safety in mind and simply want to redirect people focus on security and safety related issues that really matters.Over a number of years I have been operationally involved in the security industry, here in the UK and a number of other countries prior to that. I retired just a few years ago in order to set up PPSS Group. During these years I was unfortunate enough to witness fellow security professionals loosing their lives and others suffering from horrendous and long lasting injuries. In fact it often was my responsibility to make that so very emotional and personal call to their next of kin, explaining why their loved one will not come home or requires long term care.The interesting thing I have noticed is that not many security professionals complained or moaned after a violent incident. They really seem to believe it is a part of their job and they have to get on with that. You know what? It actually is their job. The moment you decide to become a security professional, police officer or prison officer you can not expect to be treated respectfully every time you go to work. You cannot expect to stay unharmed every time you face potentially hostile and violent members of the public. You cannot expect to be handled gently by intoxicated aggressors when a situation has escalated and turned into something of a disaster.BUT? and this is a massive BUT? there are things a security professional must be able to expect, and that is the respect of their employer, their genuine care and their willingness to do everything in their power to enable him to do his job as safely as possible.Managing Directors, Operations Director or Operations Managers either care about human beings, and above all of them the professionals who represent their interest or they do not. It really is that simple.Just over the past few months we had to read news, which included phrases such as "a security guard was hit with an iron bar during an armed robbery?, "a gang of robbers attacked a security guard front of terrified shoppers?, "security guard assaulted during Walton robbery? and "a doorman needed surgery?. We cannot look away any longer. We have to accept responsibility, ensure their personal safety and at least look into the issue of body armour or stab vests as a real option.How should we proceed? Should we do as little as possible in reference to the personal safety of security professionals? Should we just do enough so we get away with things? Or, should we go beyond what is expected and exceed our employee?s expectations and legal requirements?Forget The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 and other countries equivalent laws, forget the legal consequences of directors not complying with basic health and safety regulations, but let us not forget RESPECT. We all complain and comment about the lack of respect in this and many other countries, but when it comes to respect, should we not start with the people close to us, those who work for us?Some of the most successful business people, such as Sir Richard Branson, have long emphasized the importance of looking after your employees and making them feel respected and appreciated.Asking security professionals to operate without body armor, stab vests or other type of personal protection, increases their risk of workplace violence related injuries, it increases their risk of getting injured, and in my professional opinion it is in breach of health and safety regulations, but above all it is NOT an expression of respect.If we genuinely care we must make sure these guys are as safe as they can be. It is a bit like a seat belt in your car. You might well be happy not to wear a seat belt, and you know what? This is your decision, it is your problem and it is your risk you are willing to take. To make such a decision over your employees head, to refuse issuing them with body armor or stab vests or forcing them to work with a ?if you do not like it do not work for me? attitude is wrong? and one of the very simple reasons why society is the way it is. For me, regardless of any commercial interest I might be accused of here, it shows a clear lack of respect!Should you have any questions, then feel free to contact PPSS Group directly on +44 (0) 845 5193 95 email info@ppss-group.com or visit www.ppss-group.com.PPSS Group is a UK based manufacturer of certified bullet proof vests, stab vests and the company behind Cut-Tex PRO. This groundbreaking fabric is the world?s strongest cut resistant fabric and is now used to manufacture slash resistant clothing for police, military, emergency services, prisons and private security professionals all over the world.Robert Kaiser, CEO of PPSS Group is widely respected expert in body armour and known for his passion for protection and personal safety. He is frequently invited to speak in front of large audiences about the latest body armour developments within homeland security and domestic frontline services. He is acting as body armour consultant for a number of organisations, associations, unions and government departments. http://www.securitysourceonline.com/blog/post.cfm?e=94 (SSO) Mon, 18 Jul 2011 07:08:58 PST