The Risks of Using a Non-Compliant Security Company
When you hire a security company, you are placing people, property, customers and your reputation in their hands.
The cheapest quotation is not always the lowest-cost option.
Using a security provider that does not meet the required legal, regulatory and industry standards can expose your business to serious operational, financial and reputational risks.
What Does Compliance Mean in the Security Industry?
A professional security company should have appropriate systems in place to demonstrate that its operations are properly managed.
Depending on the contract and services provided, this can include:
• Valid SIA licences for security personnel
• Appropriate BS7858 screening and vetting
• Right to work checks
• Identity verification
• Employment and address history checks
• Relevant insurance cover
• Appropriate risk assessments and operating procedures
• Staff training and competency checks
• Clear incident reporting procedures
• Effective supervision and management
• Appropriate health and safety arrangements
• GDPR and data protection processes
• Suitable policies and records
Compliance should be treated as an ongoing process rather than a box-ticking exercise.
The Risk to Your Business
If a security company fails to meet its legal and contractual responsibilities, the consequences can quickly affect the client.
Imagine a security officer is deployed to your premises without the appropriate checks, training or documentation.
If an incident occurs, questions may be asked about why that individual was allowed to work on your site.
Your organisation could then face:
• Contractual disputes
• Insurance complications
• Regulatory investigation
• Legal claims
• Reputational damage
• Financial losses
• Loss of customer confidence
• Damage to relationships with venues, suppliers and stakeholders
The fact that you outsourced the security function does not remove the importance of carrying out appropriate due diligence on your supplier.
SIA Licensing Is Only One Part of the Process
Checking that security officers hold the correct SIA licence is essential.
However, licensing alone does not demonstrate that a security company operates to a high professional standard.
A responsible client should also consider how the company recruits, screens, trains, manages and supervises its personnel.
For security roles, BS7858 screening is particularly important because security personnel may have access to premises, property, sensitive information and members of the public.
A professional provider should be able to explain its screening process and demonstrate that appropriate records are maintained.
The Hidden Cost of Cheap Security
Price is an important consideration when outsourcing security.
However, a significantly cheaper quotation should prompt questions.
Ask yourself:
How is the company able to provide the service at that price?
Are officers being paid correctly?
Are sufficient management resources being provided?
Are staff properly screened?
Does the company have appropriate insurance?
Are supervisors being deployed?
Are training records maintained?
Does the company have suitable policies and procedures?
Does the provider have the financial and operational capacity to deliver the contract?
A low hourly rate can look attractive during the procurement process. It can become considerably more expensive if inadequate security contributes to an incident, loss or claim.
Reputation Matters
Your security team represents your organisation.
Customers do not necessarily distinguish between your employees and the security personnel working at your premises or event.
If security staff behave unprofessionally, arrive poorly presented, fail to manage an incident correctly or provide inadequate customer service, your organisation can suffer reputational damage.
The security company may employ the officer, but your customers experience the service at your venue or business.
Ask the Right Questions Before Appointing a Security Company
Before awarding a contract, ask potential suppliers to provide evidence of their compliance.
Consider asking for:
• Company insurance certificates
• SIA licence verification procedures
• BS7858 screening procedures
• Training and competency records
• Staff recruitment procedures
• Right to work processes
• Risk assessments
• Policies and procedures
• Incident reporting processes
• Complaints procedures
• Management and supervision arrangements
• References from existing clients
• Evidence of relevant accreditations
You should also verify the information provided.
Good procurement is about more than comparing hourly rates.
Due Diligence Protects Everyone
A compliant security provider should welcome reasonable due diligence.
They should be able to explain how they recruit staff, how they screen them, how they manage licences, how they train personnel and how they monitor performance.
A professional security company should also be willing to demonstrate how it manages incidents and protects its clients.
If a provider cannot provide basic evidence of its compliance, that should be treated as a procurement concern.
Choose Compliance Over Short-Term Savings
Security is a risk management function.
Your chosen provider should reduce risk, not create additional risk.
Before signing a contract, look beyond the price.
Check the company's credentials.
Check its insurance.
Check its processes.
Check its people.
Check its experience.
Check its compliance.
Most importantly, make sure the company can demonstrate that it does what it says it does.
At DGC Security Ltd, we believe professional security starts with properly recruited, screened, trained and managed personnel.
When you appoint a security provider, you are trusting them with your people, your premises and your reputation.
Make sure that trust is supported by evidence.