Security Articles/Blogs From Our Members
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June 7, 2011

The Wisdom of Vertical Marketing Within the Security Industry

Many security companies have discovered the wisdom of the vertical marketing of products and services. Vertical marketing is good for the purveyor and it is good for the customer for a number of reasons. Some companies’ products and services naturally fall into the vertical marketing framework such as those companies that cater exclusively to the healthcare industry, the food processing industry and the education industry. On the other hand those of us that provide security products and services often do so to a wide and varied spectrum of industries.

Vertical Marketing Within the Security Industry Companies and institutions have a right and the expectation that security vendors will make the effort to understand the nuances of their particular industry. Several months back I was privileged to attend the ASIS International’s Program for Security Executives at the Wharton School. This program was easily one the most profound learning experiences of have ever had. Among other things this program increased our sensitivity to the points of view emanating from the C-Suites of corporations and institutions. Whether you are an in-house security manager or a security vendor of various products and services, the better you understand the C-Suite of the industry you are serving the more successful you will be. If we as security providers do not make the effort to understand the viewpoint form the other side of the desk, we will deservedly come up short.
 
You will note that a number of the members represented on this website adhere to the principal and goal of servicing vertical markets. My 30+ year business career continually teaches me of the benefits of pursuing vertical targeted markets. We have members who target the healthcare industry, security for churches, protective gear for security personnel, shopping malls and many more.

Vertical Marketing Within the Security Industry What are the benefits of pursuing vertical marketing strategies?
 
First and foremast, prospective customers appreciate that their vendors have made the effort to understand the intricacies of their particular business as opposed to vice versa. For example if your company provides video surveillance systems and you try to apply the same standards to your hospital prospects that you apply to your retail prospects, you’re in big trouble. Remember buying decisions are made on the basis of need. If you do not truly understand the real needs of your prospective customer, your chances for success are slim to none.

Take the time to learn the vertical markets you wish to pursue. Engage in conversations with industry specific security managers and ask questions and do more listening that talking. Most security directors do not appreciate being badgered at local ASIS meetings, but most do not mind responding to questions like: Tell me something about your business? How did you come to get into that industry? What are your biggest challenges?

Vertical Marketing Within the Security Industry Remember, security is a situational discipline. This means those who purvey security products and services, not only need to understand the vertical market they are calling on, but they must make the effort to understand what differentiates the business they calling on from other entities in the same general industrial category. No two shopping malls have the same needs. No two hospitals have the same security needs. No two manufacturing plants have the same set needs. In fact, given these examples, it is likely that the collective differences within a targeted vertical and greater than the collective similarities.

If you are interested in opening up new vertical markets, start out by attending industry specific trade association meetings and even consider joining some. Read industry specific trade journals. Keep your eye open of industry specific news stories. Find experts on this website and contact them for advice.

The message is clear: Jack of all trades, master of none, need not apply!

Let us hear your comments regarding vertical marketing. If you are on the receiving of security marketeers, do you favor giving time to those vendors who have taken the time and effort to understand your industry and the unique security challenges therein?

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Posted by SSO on 06/07/2011 at 11:01 AM
Apartment/HOA | Hospital Security | Hotel Security | Mall Security | Office Buildings | School/University Campus Security | Workplace Violence | Information Security | Retail Security | Aviation Security
May 21, 2013

A Resource For Security Management Support Services

Security Source Online

The Security Source Team is Comprised of a Unique Group of Independent Security Organizations Who Individually & Collectively a Diverse Client Base

The diverse security industry continues to evolve and expand worldwide. Methodologies that were appropriate ten years ago are rapidly being upgraded. Whether the goal is to secure an elementary school, a hospital, a shopping center or a large industrial plant, the security program must be multifaceted and adaptive to specific needs. Those that are responsible for securing these facilities are often required to deal with a number differentiated security providers. This reality is also complicated by the requirement of many organizations to trim their security budgets, while at the same time; the demand for effective security is on the rise. In other words, security programs are tasked with having to do more with less.

Fortunately, it is now possible to do more with less because the cost of applying security technology, in many sectors, has gone down, lessening the reliance on manpower. The proper application of technology can in fact become a force multiplier by helping to meet the objective of doing "more with less.” Another emerging strategy is to actively engage employees in specific activities and behaviors in support of a comprehensive security program.

From time to time, most organizations require a qualified security consultant, a security system designer and/or the ability to outsource such services as video analytics and monitoring. Some organizations may require security management expertise to strike the proper balance between the application of security personnel and the application of technology. Your school, hospital or shopping mall may require the expertise to determine the security package that is best meets the needs of your enterprise. Your organization may have employed the services of a contract guard service, but may lack the expertise to manage such this service. You may be considering be considering hiring a guard service or the installation of a new access control system and/or visitor management system, but lack the experience to make the best choice from among a plethora of vendors.

Security Source Online (SSO) is stepping into this void by providing a single resource to a diverse grouping of security professionals and services aimed at facilitating a cost beneficial decision making. Security Source Online is the brain-child of William Nesbitt, CPP, who is a well-seasoned Board Certified Security Professional. In addition to Bill has hand-picked a team of well qualified security professional to provide a wide range of security support services. The organizations that make up the SSO team are capable of providing, both individually and/or collectively, the specific security management support services your organization may require predicated on need. The Security Source Online security professionals need analysis must be industry specific. These means no two security programs are the same. SSO understands the security needs of a hospital are differentiated from the needs of a mall. We understand the security needs of a biotech company differ from the security needs of a supply-chain warehouse. The SSO team stands ready to serve the needs of your organization. Collectively the Security Source Team has over 200 hundred years of diverse collective expertise.

Security Source Online represents the next generation in the effective offering security diverse security management services. The blog portion of this website ensures that Security Source Online is interactive. We will continue to add new members to the SSO team. The goal is to add security professional to this team who are differentiated from existing team members. Our goal is to provide security management support aimed at the creation of security programs that are both effective, and at the same time, cost efficient.

We encourage your inquires either directly to SSO or to our team members. You may contact Bill Nesbitt at 805/ 410-2300 or at bill@securitysourceonline.com.
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Posted by SSO on 05/21/2013 at 11:24 AM
Entertainment/Sports Venues & Nightclubs | Apartment/HOA | Home & Family Security | Hospital Security | Hotel Security | Information/Computer | Mall Security | Office Buildings | School/University Campus Security | Security & Liability | Workplace Violence | Armored Car Transport | Information Security | Retail Security | Aviation Security | Biotech & Pharma | Church/House of Worship Security | Background Check/Investigations
May 1, 2013

Boston, Aurora, Newtown, Buffalo, Toronto, Portland and Baltimore: Security Challenges

Tightening Security Budgets are Demanding That We Do More With Less

Boston Marathon Bombing Headlines

The Boston Marathon tragedy, the Aurora Theater shooting, the Sandy Hook massacre, the Buffalo Hospital Shooting, mall shootings in Portland and Toronto and the Johns Hopkins Hospital shooting are all reminders of the daunting responsibilities, we as security professional must face on a daily basis. Combine the aforementioned examples with the myriad of security challenges that do not grab headlines on the six o’clock news. These examples, and many others, give credence to the need for competent security professionals who possess the skills to reasonably mitigate such events, both individually and collectively. Security Programs must be need driven. That does not mean that one must wait for a calamity before acting. There also distinct differences and responsibilities in the determination of security need between the public and private sectors. Those enterprises, that in the normal course of business allow public access, such as shopping malls, public schools and universities, hotels, and high-rise building, have a special set of vulnerabilities to consider with special remedies.

As security professionals, our mission is to reasonably anticipate and mitigate adverse security events. This is easier said than done. This means we must not only learn from the past, but we must endeavor to anticipate the future. The events previously alluded to provide all of us with teaching moments that, in some way, can be applied to meeting the security challenges of the companies we work for, and/or the clients we serve. Remember, security breaches generally require the pre-conditions of motive, means and opportunity. This is a starting point. Effective security programs can and should impact each of these pre-conditions. This means we must anticipate, deter and endeavor to prevent security breaches by addressing the preconditions of motive, means and opportunity..

We all need to take the time to learn the lessons gleaned from Sandy Hook and Boston, as well as other tragedies that have dominated recent news cycles, by finding ways to apply those lessons for our employers and clients. Fundamental to all of these goals is to conduct a comprehensive security assessment. If the security assessment is thorough and comprehensive, it can be a blueprint for all that follows. Proper security assessments should also produce a work product that takes advantage of current technology that supports real synergy that blends current technology with more traditional physical security strategies. Often omitted from the equation is the significance human of factor components, such as behavior modification, as part of a fully participatory security strategy.

In today’s economy, security programs must also be cost efficient, even in an environment of increased threat levels. There needs to a shift from heavy reliance on manpower to more multidisciplinary approaches with greater reliance on technology. The good news is that the cost of technology has gone down thanks to networking capability, and technology, in combination with security personnel, has become a force multiplier.

For those who work as forensic security experts, how often have you heard the retort; "We never thought it would happen here.” In the wake of Boston and the acts violence visited upon us over the past 12 months, we must all endeavor to remain vigilant and proactive. In many ways the mass media attention these tragedies garner, are likely to draw more sociopathic perpetrators out of the woodwork in the coming months. This is why we frequently see copycat attacks. We cannot merely sit around and wait for this eventually.

We at SMSI Inc. have been retained in hundreds of security related lawsuits for both defendants, as well as for plaintiffs. This experience has been instructive to our consulting practice. No two cases are the same which means there are no universal "rules of thumb.” The efficacies of security programs are therefore varied. Security programs should not be designed solely for the purpose of averting potential litigation. There should also be a set of pragmatic objectives also.

Schools, hospitals, malls, hotels, office buildings and those business enterprises that regularly afford public access must remain vigilant of the threats of active shooters and domestic terrorism. They must also mitigate a wide range of non-terrorism criminality such as property crime, crimes of violence, workplace violence and the compromise of proprietary information. The threat factor for every enterprise is unique, which means an effective should program has a better chance of success if that program is the product of a thorough security assessment.

If you share the view that security is a proactive anticipatory discipline, the most reasonable manner to act on that value, is to conduct a thorough object security assessment in order to establish a roadmap for moving forward. A security assessment, which we believe should be conducted at least every five years, should become the foundational basis for security budget decisions moving forward. Furthermore security programs must be driven by metrics as well as evaluated by metric on an ongoing basis.

If you have question contact Security Management Services International, Inc. at www.smsiinc.com. A major portion of our security consultation outreach is to those enterprises that afford public access. We have been retained for consultation by manufacturing operation, supply chain enterprises and the biotech industry. Post assessment, SMSI offers a number of follow-on services including our Security Management Support Program.

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Posted by SSO on 05/01/2013 at 12:41 PM
Entertainment/Sports Venues & Nightclubs | Home & Family Security | Mall Security | Office Buildings | School/University Campus Security | Retail Security | Church/House of Worship Security
December 30, 2012

Developing Active Shooter Solutions

Developing Active Shooter SolutionsIn the wake of the Mall Shooting in Oregon followed by the school massacre in Newtown, Connecticut. There have been a plethora of experts who all say they have the solution to the problem. Everyone from the gun control lobby and people like Michael Moore, to the NRA has weighed in on the topic. The so called security experts all have a plethora of divergent solutions. Mental health experts and those who support court ordered commitment for those individuals who may be deemed not competent to live in a free society have joined the chorus.

The fact is there is no ONE solution. As I have stated in the past, "security is a situational discipline.” The efficacy of the security programs differs from school to school, from hospital to hospital and from mall to mall. The threat environments differ from one venue to the next. If the focal point of the security program moves solely to active shooter mitigation, there is the potential to do so at the expense of other security threats. Although it doesn’t grab national headlines, just look at the incidences of sexual predation in the school system across this country. Security programs must often address a variety of threats.

Effective security programs, including active shooter mitigation must result from a serious and competent assessment process. That assessment must consider and define the threat environment, as well as the effective application of contemporary physical security methodologies including effective access management, effective use of video surveillance, and importantly, human factor training of all affected parties. There also needs to be a defined partnership between the potentially affected enterprise and local law enforcement agencies. The manner by which these various strategies are implemented should be determined on a case by case basis. The affected enterprise should lean heavily on their in-house security professionals and risk management staff and/or on outside security expertise.

Mitigating decisions need driven for each affected enterprise in order to avoid falling victim to the laws of unintended consequences. Measures taken must take into consideration the environmental milieu. Such differences might include variances in law enforcement response capability, cultural considerations, and geography to name just a few. Solutions must also consider a wide range of options among physical security choices as well as the applications of CPTED options. The bottom-line is that there are no single right or wrong answers.  The only wrong answer is to do nothing.

Whether the affected enterprise is a hospital, school/university, shopping mall, hotel or and industrial site, the determinations as to effective remedies, must be determined locally. The threat environment must be locally deified and including the threat from within. Every business enterprise, as well as every educational institution, K through college, must develop an effective workplace violence prevention program before the next eruption.

Finally, if past is prologue, as security professionals, we must never stop learning. What works today, may not work tomorrow. Take the time to read retrospective studies such as the Governor’s Report on the Columbine shooting. The National Retail Federation has done good work in the area of Active Shooter mitigation. In this time, when there is so much access to information through the internet, there is not excuse to be uninformed.

Security Management Services International, Inc. has the ability, through our onsite security assessment services, to find practical mitigation strategies for a wide range of risks. The goal is to develop security programs that reasonably reduce risk to an acceptable level.  This means taking into consideration both the internal and external threat environment. It also means that one size does not fit all.
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Posted by SSO on 12/30/2012 at 10:04 AM
Hospital Security | Hotel Security | Mall Security | Office Buildings | School/University Campus Security | Workplace Violence | Retail Security
October 18, 2012

Security Management Support Program

If you believe your organization needs a qualified Security Manager, but your budget cannot support another salary, consider this alternative. Security Management Services International, Inc. (SMSI Inc.) is offering security management support services as an exclusive and unique service primarily to those clients who have availed themselves of a SMSI Inc. Security Assessment. SMSI fully understands that many enterprises cannot cost justify the hiring of a fulltime, qualified, security manager. Nevertheless this fact does not mean that most business enterprises do not need the expertise of a qualified security manager. Most enterprises need security expertise throughout the course of the year, but albeit, not on a daily bases. The validity assumption is supported by our extensive security litigation experience. The potential for liability claims against an organization that does not have security management expertise managing their security programs is greater than those organizations that maintain full time security management presence.

Alternatively, we will also offer this service to clients who have not contracted for a SMSI Security Review and Assessment. For those clients who wish to participate in our Security Management Support Program (SMSP) for at least one year, Security Management Services International, Inc. will perform an initial assessment at a 20% discounted fee.

Effective security programs must have two pervasive missions: the protection of property and the protection of people. The degree that any enterprise has a responsibility to protect property or people from a liability perspective varies from one industry to another. For example, those companies that provide third party warehousing in support of supply chain operations, bare responsibility when product go missing. The same logic applies to freight companies such as rail and trucking operations Businesses the serve the public such as shopping malls, parking structures, hospitals, daycare centers, hotels and schools (public & private) are all expected to maintain dynamic security operations.

Anecdotally, the odds of being sued for an inadequate security program are much higher for schools and those business enterprises such as hospitals, malls and high-rise buildings when there is an absence of in-house security management. However it is understandable that many business enterprises cannot justify the $100k to $200K+ salary that a well-qualified in-house security manger would demand. Our SMSP offers an effective alternative. The SMSI Inc. Security Management Support Program will protect your interests when dealing with those who provide security products and service such as contract security services. Additionally, our SMSP will continually monitor those security vendors by ensuring they live up to their commitments.

Many enterprises may not need a security manager on a daily basis, but a security professional will be needed several times throughout the year. Remember security is a situational discipline, meaning one size does not fit all. Additionally, security is a proactive discipline aimed at deterrence and prevention. This means that security programs are not amenable to universal solutions. Security programs must be promulgated on the basis of need, and that need may not be static. This means that security programs must be nimble by constantly adjusting to emerging changes in the threat environment. It is especially important that security programs achieve a reasonable standard of care for environments such as schools and healthcare facilities because of vulnerability exposure of the clients being served, patients and children. Adverse security events in schools and medical facilities are likely to be played on the six o’clock news nationwide.

SMSI, through its Security Management Support Program (SMSP) program is able to fill this void. This program will be customized to meet the needs of each client we serve. In many cases, a comprehensive security assessment may be required prior to the provision of Security Management Support services. If a security assessment is deemed advisable, SMSI Inc. will perform these services at a preferred rate for those clients who commit to a SMSP Contract.

If your organization presently has and in-house security manager who is light on experience, the SMSP will support that manager until such time he/she can function independently.

Security Management Support Services may include, but are not limited to:

  • Security vendor selection & oversight
  • Security design and project management
  • Security Incident tracking and trend analysis (Remote monitoring & analysis)
  • Professional guidance in the selection and application of security systems
    • Access management systems
    • Video surveillance systems
    • Lighting
    • The application of CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design)
      • Lighting
      • Natural barrier usage
      • Signage
      • Landscape application
      • Housekeeping & Maintenance
      • Graffiti eradication programs
  • Visitor control
  • Management of Aggressive Behavior (MOAB®) training.
  • Hiring and background checking protocols
  • Asset protection programs
    • Inventory control audits
  • Student, patient, guest & employee safety programs
  • Crimecast data & reports
    • UCR Reports
  • Staff crime prevention strategies
  • Police liaison services
    • Community relations/crime prevention officer involvement
  • Employment Bullying Mitigation
  • Sexual deviancy awareness
  • Overnight Building security
    • Alarm system design and supervision
    • Security lighting
    • Locking systems
    • Surveillance system
  • Neighborhood Watch
  • Gang sensitivity awareness
    • Graffiti awareness
  • Workplace Drug detection and prevention
  • Staff security awareness training
  • Year round security awareness program
  • In-persons visits to be determined on a need basis by SMSI security professionals
  • Unrestricted Remote Management Support
    • Problem solving
    • Crisis management support
  • Neighborhood outreach
Terms & Conditions
  1. Four visits per year included in annual contract (Extra visits on per diem basis)
  2. Reimbursement for reasonable and documented expenses
  3. Unlimited remote support
  4. Minimum of one year contract
    1. Initial retainer
    2. Monthly billing of balance
    3. Flat rate billing for visits in excess of four

All SMSI Inc. personnel will be Board Certified Protection Professionals and/or will be former law enforcement veterans. These professionals may also be Spanish bilingual. Remember, the cost of reaction is always three to four times the cost of mitigation.

For information, contact Bill Nesbitt, CPP: bill@smsiinc.com or call 805-499-3800.

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Posted by SSO on 10/18/2012 at 11:25 AM
Entertainment/Sports Venues & Nightclubs | Apartment/HOA | Home & Family Security | Hospital Security | Hotel Security | Information/Computer | Mall Security | Office Buildings | School/University Campus Security | Security & Liability | Workplace Violence | Armored Car Transport | Information Security | Retail Security | Aviation Security | Biotech & Pharma | Church/House of Worship Security | Background Check/Investigations
June 7, 2012

Need For Stab Vests Identified Following Assault On Prison Officer

Prison officers in New Zealand are appalled with their Corrections Department for saying stab vests are available after another prison officer was attacked at Rimutaka Prison last week.Stab Vests  

More than fifty prison officers have now contacted the Corrections Association in New Zealand, demanding stab vests or some sort of body armour, understanding that prisoners are volatile and unpredictable.

"I strongly believe we must understand better, and remind ourselves that we cannot change the aggressive behaviour of some prisoners” Robert Kaiser, CEO of UK based PPSS Group comments.

"There is simply no doubt that a prisoner consuming drugs, illegal substances or self made alcohol can become hostile and violent within a split of a second, regardless of the prison officers excellent communication skill and calm personality”.

"The ideas to create make shift weapons, e.g. sharpened table and bed frame legs, shanks made out of plastic, sharpened wood or pieces of mirror, and the idea of melting razor blades into tooth brushes and turning pens and pencils into weapon have not been developed out of 5 minutes of simple boredom.  These ideas have been developed following hours and hours of malicious thought processes, and even the very best prison officer can one day be on the receiving end of such thought process”.

A recent publication of the American Correctional Officer once claimed that 33.5% of all assaults in prisons and jails are committed by inmates against prison officers.

According to official statistics obtained by the Howard League for Penal Reform show that recorded assault incidents in prison in England and Wales have risen by 61 per cent between 2000 and 2009.

Based on this statistic prison officers at Hindley Young Offenders Institution, the largest child prison in Europe, are particularly affected with assaults on staff up by an astonishing 967 per cent.

We all will remember too well the outrageous attack on prison officers at the Frankland High Security Prison in March 2010, almost costing the lives of two prison officers, and have to accept the fact this is not a country specific problem, but rather a serious occupational hazard across all countries.

Robert Kaiser states: "The fact is that prison officers deal with some of the most dangerous, violent and unpredictable people in our society on a daily basis, and this is why I suggest they have the simple right to demand appropriate protection and the undivided attention and support from those charged with ensuring their welfare and personal safety”.

It is a rather interesting fact that a police officer who deals with dangerous criminal individuals for only a very few minutes every day is by law required to wear protective equipment… but the prison officer charged with supervising the same individual, potentially for a number of years, is not being issued with any type of protective clothing at all.

Robert Kaiser has been part of numerous discussions and consultancy meetings with prison and correctional facilities in several countries and fully understands all concerns: ”In every single of these meetings the ‘non-confrontational design’ question has always been the centre point of these sometimes very passionate discussions”.

"However, I always seem to come back to the same point, explaining that design and manufacturing capabilities have evolved so much over the past years. Concealable, thin and lightweight blunt trauma stab vests, extremely well suited for prison officers, are now available”.

It is without question, that covert stab vests and similar type of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) will reduce the risk of workplace violence related injuries, and should this fact not be at least be worth starting an open minded discussion on the personal safety of prison officers?

---

PPSS Group is a UK based manufacturer of certified covert bullet proof vests, stab proof vests and the company behind Cut-Tex® PRO.  This groundbreaking fabric is one of the world's strongest cut resistant fabrics and is now being used to manufacture cut resistant clothing for police, military, prisons and private security firms all over the world.

Robert Kaiser, CEO of PPSS Group is 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 body armour consultant for a number of organisations, associations, unions and government departments.
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Posted by SSO on 06/07/2012 at 12:05 PM
Hospital Security | Hotel Security | Mall Security | Security & Liability | Armored Car Transport | Retail Security
June 5, 2012

Another Mall Shooting

The shooting on Saturday (June 2nd 2012) at Toronto’s Eaton Centre is a reminder that violence can erupt with very little warning. This shooting resulted in one fatality with two victims in critical condition as of this writing. In addition to the one fatality, a total of seven people were injured. The shooting occurred in the food court area, an area in many malls where there is a heightened potential for conflict.

Whenever there is a high profile shooting such as the mall shootings here in the United States or the schools and hospital shootings of the past several years, there are frequently copycat events that follow and it is not unlikely that this shooting at the Eaton Centre will inspire like events elsewhere. Before that happens, now is the time to prepare and prevent.

Business enterprises that cater to the public and allow public access should periodically reassess their security posture. With the rapid acceleration of security methodologies, it does not take long for security programs to fall behind the eight ball. Among a wide range of potential threats, those response for their organizations security programs must be prepared to address the very real threat of an "active shooter” incident. The threat of an active shooter takes on different dimensions depending on the affected industry. The potential threat profile tends to vary somewhat between one industry to another. The time to consider that threat is now.

There are a number of security professionals listed on this website that understand the threat and who offer effective mitigation strategies.
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Posted by SSO on 06/05/2012 at 06:22 AM
Mall Security
May 30, 2012

The Evolution of the Security Assessment

I recently took the occasion to peruse some security assessments we did some 25 years ago for a number of varied and diverse clients. I was struck how far we have come, in so many ways, over that passage of time. I thought it might be useful to focus on four factors that have had a profound impact on how we all do our job, assessing the efficacy of our security programs today as compared to 25 years ago.

First, no matter what segment of the security industry you are in, the 9/11/01 attack on the World Trade center in New York in the wake of the attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building by Timothy McVeigh, April 19th, 1995 has impacted every aspect of the of our industry worldwide. It has redefined physical security, established new reasonable standards of care and spawned and further legitimized emerging disciplines such as CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design). These events have sharpened the anticipatory aspects of our professional focus. Proactive mitigation is now more critical than ever.  We can no longer afford to wait for a breach to happen and then act.

Second, but not unrelated to the first, is the exponential advancement of technology. Technological advances are moving with wrap speed and those security professionals who do not keep pace will lose their professional edge. Just look at the changes in the use of video and systems integration. Concepts such as "virtual patrol” were nonexistent just a few years ago. The application of computer technology and electronic system has made security systems more responsive, and much more cost effective. In many cases, it has reduced the level of the manpower requirement, while at the same time making remaining security personnel much more effective.

Third, security professionals are now required to become intimately conversant with the views, values and goals of those who occupy the C-Suite. They must understand the persona of the corporations they serve (both for profit & not for profit). Their decisions and recommendations must be driven by ROI and should endeavor to have a five year shelf life. In many cases, security managers need much more business acumen today than was required 25 years ago. The ASIS International Security Management course in conjunction with the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania is one program that enables security managers to meet these kinds of objectives, and a program I wholeheartedly recommend.

Fourth, but not least, is the rise of security derived litigation, mostly in the United States. Security lawsuits are filed against businesses for what they do and for what they don’t do. When suits are filed for intentional torts, they may include assertion of false arrest, excessive use of force, false imprisonment and/or invasion of privacy. When businesses are sued for an omission, they often include the assertion of inadequate security. The majority of both of these categories of litigation, more likely than not, affect enterprises that affords public access (Hospitals, Shopping Malls, Apartment Complexes, HOAs, the Lodging Industry, Entertainment Venues, etc.). Although most of the aforementioned examples are largely personal injury cases, we are seeing number of similar lawsuits resulting from property losses against trucking companies, supply chain facilities, etc. More and more, security managers are finding they need to be conversant with litigation trends within their respective industries, and within their respective geographies.

The challenge is to stay current. We can never stop learning. When must never rest on past laurels. We must continually seek divergent sources of information. It is incumbent on each of us to determine the legitimacy of the information we acquire. Finally, we must continue to talk with one another.

William H. Nesbitt, CPP
President
Security Management Services International, Inc.
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Posted by SSO on 05/30/2012 at 07:10 AM
Entertainment/Sports Venues & Nightclubs | Apartment/HOA | Home & Family Security | Hospital Security | Hotel Security | Mall Security | School/University Campus Security | Information Security | Retail Security | Aviation Security | Biotech & Pharma | Church/House of Worship Security
March 6, 2012

Attacks At Armored Car Facilities by Jim McGuffey, CPP, PSP, CPI

Attacks at Armored Car Facilities

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 ProfessionalCertified Protection Professional (CPP®) - This certification designates individuals who have demonstrated competency in all areas constituting security management.

Physical Security ProfessionalPhysical 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 InvestigatorProfessional 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.


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Posted by SSO on 03/06/2012 at 07:40 AM
Security & Liability | Armored Car Transport
March 6, 2012

Security Expert Selection Suggestions by James McGuffey, CPP, PSP, PCI

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.

  1. Review over-all security experience. How long has the expert worked in security management? Experience is the most important of all qualifications.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. Profit and Loss experience. While some of my peers may not think this important I consider P&L 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.
  10. 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 ProfessionalCertified Protection Professional (CPP®) - This certification designates individuals who have demonstrated competency in all areas constituting security management.

Physical Security ProfessionalPhysical 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 InvestigatorProfessional 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.


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Posted by SSO on 03/06/2012 at 07:21 AM
Security & Liability