What Do We Cover In This Article?
How do you keep your office building secure? If you run an office or business premises and have concerns about it’s potential to be compromised then you need to read our six ways in which security guards can protect your office building. Security guards provide expertise through their training and experience that goes far beyond locking doors or patrolling corridors, offering peace of mind for employees, visitors and directors alike through safeguarding, deterring crime and proactive vigilance.
1. How to protect against unauthorised access?
Office security begins at the front door by security guards keeping tabs who comes and goes and ensuring that only authorised persons gain access to the premises and monitoring compliance to security protocols for restricted areas.
Guards should be tasked with verifying IDs, checking visitor passes and monitoring access points to prevent tailgating. In offices with high secure areas such as server rooms or finance departments they can oversee any digital or biometric access control systems. They should also monitor the CCTV on any fire escapes to ensure none are left open and any windows are closed out of office hours.
Having a trained professional at your building’s entrance keeps the office secure by ensuring delivery drivers are dealt with at reception and don’t go into the actual office demise.
2. What Role Do Security Guards Play During Emergencies?
Speaking from experience security are in a position of authority and are the first person that people will turn to too look for guidance in an emergency. So whether it’s fire alarms, first aid casualties or security breaches guards will be the first trained person on scene to get the situation under control.
For example, if the fire alarm sounds in the office, the security officer on duty will be expected to lead the evacuation and ensure everyone is accounted for. In a first aid event such as a cardiac arrest in the workplace, they are trained in the use of defibrillators and resuscitation and will be vital in keeping the person alive until they can hand over when the paramedics arrive. Ultimately in every emergency situation they will coordinate with emergency services ensuring situations are handled to the best of their ability and with minimal disruption.
3. Why Are Regular Patrols Important for Office Security?
Regular patrols serve to spot health and safety issues early and take remedial action. It could be something simple like a fire extinguisher propping open a door or a wet floor that requires mopping up and a wet floor sign to be put out. Patrols also benefit offices as they can double up as an environmental check to maintain a regulated temperature throughout the office and that all lights are off in areas where no people are working out of hours. A visible patrolling security presence also discourages theft, vandalism, trespass and other criminal activity that could disrupt the business. Security guards patrol both inside and outside the building to proactively address risks.
4. How Do Security Guards Improve Employee Confidence?
When security guards are present in the building, employees will feel an immediate sense of safety as they arrive at work. Their presence reassures staff and acts as a deterrent to unwanted visitors, potential protestors or criminals. This allows everyone to go about their working day with their personal security and safety as something they don’t need to worry about. Guards often build friendly relationships with staff which make the workplace as a whole feel more welcoming and supportive, strengthening team spirit. They also improve confidence in the workplace as they are there in the event of an emergency. Security guards also create a sense of calm by keeping watch and handling any unusual situations. This reassurance helps staff concentrate on their work without the added worry. When staff know their safety is a priority, they are more likely to be happy in the workplace which has a significant positive impact on mental health and happy staff are more likely to stay loyal to the company and feel motivated to do their best. This creates a positive and engaged workplace.
5. How Do Security Guards Protect Parking Areas?
Office car parks are often overlooked in the initial security plans even though they are often hotspots for theft and vandalism. Security guards monitor and patrol these spaces to deter criminal activity and ensure vehicles remain safe. We have seen incidents of car parking areas that don’t have security in place being overrun by vagrants and peoples cars being broken into and vandalised which led to people having to park off site and pay for parking elsewhere as they didn’t feel safe walking to their car or leaving it there. This can’t be allowed to happen in a business environment as problems in the car park will seep into the building.
6. Can Security Guards Identify and Address Hazards Inside the Office?
Security guards focus on both external and internal threats and are trained in counter surveillance to identify suspicious persons and everything from detecting water leaks to electrical faults and blocked fire exits that could endanger people or disrupt daily operations of the business.
For example, spotting exposed wires in a corridor will lead to the guard reporting the hazard and it being resolved by building maintenance. A proactive approach will make sure your office remains safe and fully functional at all times.
Why is professionalism important in security?
If you’re ready to improve your office security, get in touch today. Our professional guards are here to make a difference.
