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The Pros and Cons of Bringing Your Security In-House

Should I Bring My Security In-House?

There are so many pros and cons when it comes to bringing outsourced roles in-house. Sometimes the consideration is rooted in needing to regain control. Other times, it comes down to cost. But when you are debating between bringing your security in-house or outsourcing the roles to a reputable company, there are some factors that companies often overlook when making the decision.

Do Your Homework When Bringing Security In-House

Local and State Licensing Requirements

Here in the United States, our government makes security rules and regulations based on the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) recommendation, (ASIS is an international organization that sets standards, guidelines, and offers certification for security professions.) Across the US, there are overarching standards that security professionals are required to follow, however, the state and local governments have the final say. Additionally, there are a few states that have their own regulation board (for example, the Texas Sunset Commission). As a result, licensing requirements will vary. 

Some states, like Texas, require all security personnel to have a state-issued license in order to work as a security guard. Whereas, other states, such as Colorado, leave that decision to their local governments. For example, the state does not require licensing, however Boulder City and Denver do require licensing.

Not following the rules can result in a fine, an extraordinarily expensive lawsuit, and even jail time for both the security guard and the company. So if you choose to bring your security in-house,  it is critical that you follow state and local licensing requirements. Additionally, make sure you stay up to date on all ASIS mandates and suggestions. ASIS issues these in order to better protect civilians and companies.

Workers Compensation​

While it is wise for companies to obtain workers compensation regardless of their industry and job roles, for security officers, not all states will require it! Just note that even if the state requires licensing, this does not necessarily mean they also require workers compensation. 

However, given the nature of the profession, here at BPS we strongly encourage all companies to do so when employing security personnel regardless of the state and local requirements. 

A man in a suit holding up a plaque that reads "licensing" in a serif font. He is discussing how licensing is critical when bringing security in-house.

Here at BPS

Though we follow local and state requirements when it comes to hiring security guards for specific locations, we also have additional requirements for our staff. BPS Security prioritizes our clients, and therefore, we only offer the best. 

Hiring Great Personnel

This may sound like a no-brainer, but there are a few characteristics that you should consider when choosing a security guard!

Personality

First, do they fit within the company culture? Does their personality match or compliment the other employees? If tnot, major issues can arise. This comes down to basic human instinct! If your security staff does not get along with their coworkers, they likely do not enjoy going to work or respect their company. As a result, when there is a security threat, they may not care or do their best to resolve the problem.

Are they calm? Or more importantly, are they calm under pressure? If the security guard is not calm by nature, they likely will not be calm during a heightened situation. If they cannot stay calm, the person that is causing the problem will not calm down, either. 

Are they well spoken? Communication is key! If they cannot effectively and efficiently communicate, issues can quickly escalate. Additionally (and unfortunately), they also may not be taken seriously. 

Dependability 

Bad situations can happen in an instant and when a security guard is late (or worse — does not show up for work), your company is exposed to risk. Therefore it is critical that you employ a reliable security team.

A man in a suit pointing at a clear screen choosing a "person" with a great personality to work for their company while bringing their security in-house

Experience and Records

When hiring in-house security, take the time to go over the potential guards history. Do they have experience? If so, do they have any documented incidents that need addressing? What training and/or certificates do they have? By nature, humans are fallible, but there is a big difference between quickly reacting to  situations by applying training and experience, and freezing when under pressure. 

Be sure to comb through their history. How did they react? What measures were taken by the security officer to prevent or react differently in the future?

Management

If you are bringing your security in-house, you need to have a manager — even if this position is outsourced to a reputable security company! The manager will oversee that all licensing and regulations are met! 

Additionally, security guards are human and sometimes uncontrollable situations prevent even the most dependable staff member from arriving to work on time. So, it is critical that you always have a backup solution that is set in motion before the guard is ever late to a shift. A manager will implement this.  

Here at BPS

We are a security firm that prioritizes our clients, but we also respect and value our employees. Before hiring our security team, our candidates go through a rigorous process to ensure we only staff A+ guards. Additionally, we pay our guards a liveable wage, so they take their job seriously and are present when at work. When it comes to have a fail-safe in place in case a security guard should be late, we follow a standard operating procedure always have backup guards ready for deployment. 

 

Click here to learn more. 

Final Thoughts

Is it wise for a company to bring security in-house? There are definitely pros and cons. Just note that if the proper infrastructure and standard operating procedures are not in place, your in-house security can cause serious implications, fines, expensive lawsuits, and even jail time. So do your research and carefully weigh your options! 

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