Integration key to problem solving

Mar 1, 1998 12:00 PM, MARTIN C. GUAY

           

For many years, the security industry has been viewed by customers as divided into product - electronic security systems companies - and service segments - uniformed security personnel firms. We, in turn, have also defined ourselves by our products or services. But in today's customer-oriented business world, our focus must change from the products or services we offer to our ability to solve the customers' security problems. Successful security professionals think in terms of "integrated security solutions." At First Security Services Corp., we have found that our long-term customers have come to expect an integrated security approach. Clients rely on our security supervisors and managers to step outside of their functional specialty to facilitate the integration of people, technology and management processes. Integrated security, the essence of our capacity to protect the customers' key assets, begins with a definition of the maximum security risk acceptable to a customer. The goal is to manage this risk consistent with the customer's organizational and economic objectives and in conformance with contemporary business, legal, ethical and moral standards. We must tailor our response to the unique organizational risks of each customer. Solving security risk problems requires a true partnership with our customers. Customers know, and help us understand, their organizational cultures, objectives and business policies and practices. They rely on us to be the security risk or casualty experts, as well as effective and efficient business associates. Another important idea in integrated security is that of synergy, or "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts." Many security service and product offerings play unique specialty roles and complement each other to meet the customers' needs successfully. In my business responsibility, the electronic security services division, we know there is not one solution or technology that can protect clients from threats to key assets. Security staff need to be trained in security policies and procedures and in the variety of technologies that are part of today's integrated security systems. Many clients now consider computer literacy to be a basic requirement for security officers. Increasingly, electronic access systems control information relating to work flow and performance measurement in addition to directing employee and visitor traffic flow. Closed-circuit television and alarm systems detect security threats, as well as environmental and business systems problems. The multiple uses necessitate close ties with customers' management and human resources professionals. Technology is not the only culprit in electronic security system problems, so solutions must cover all levels of the system, including operational assessments, changes in procedures, security officer staffing changes and addition or redeployment of technology. The solutions come from coordination of relevant security specialty resources. Integrated security, therefore, starts with having a current and comprehensive understanding of the customers' total security needs. It means that we must build, maintain and enhance our capacity to meet those needs by collaborating with our customers and security industry associates in creative and meaningful applications of our service competencies. When security professionals deliver services at peak performance, the benefits extend to the quality of life of the people within and outside the immediate work environments.

Focusing on integrating security equipment and technology with the human element - private security officers - to maximize security system effectiveness, the column draws on the expertise of members of the National Association of Security Companies (NASCO). The column will feature different writers addressing aspects of the roles security officers play in today's systems. The author of this month's column, Martin C. Guay, is vice president, electronic security services division, First Security Services Corp., Boston. He holds a B.A. and M.B.A. from George Washington University and is a member of the Finance Advisory Board for the National Association of Catholic Chaplains, Milwaukee, Wis.

Want to use this article? Click here for options!
© 2008 Penton Media Inc.

SUBSCRIBE

Select an Issue April 1, 2008 March 1, 2008 February 1, 2008 January 1, 2008 December 1, 2007 November 1, 2007 October 1, 2007 September 1, 2007 August 1, 2007 July 1, 2007 June 1, 2007 IP Security Supplement May 1, 2007 April 1, 2007 March 1, 2007 February 1, 2007 January 1, 2007 School Security December 1, 2006 November 1, 2006 October 1, 2006 September 1, 2006 August 1, 2006 July 1, 2006 June 1, 2006 May 1, 2006 April 1, 2006 March 1, 2006 February 1, 2006 January 1, 2006 December 1, 2005 November 1, 2005 October 1, 2005 September 1, 2005 August 1, 2005 July 1, 2005 June 1, 2005 May 1, 2005 April 1, 2005 March 1, 2005 February 1, 2005 January 1, 2005 December 1, 2004 November 1, 2004 October 1, 2004 September 1, 2004 August 1, 2004 July 1, 2004 July 1, 2004 June 1, 2004 May 1, 2004 April 1, 2004 March 1, 2004 February 1, 2004 January 1, 2004 December 1, 2003 November 1, 2003 October 1, 2003 September 1, 2003 August 1, 2003 July 1, 2003 June 1, 2003 May 1, 2003 April 1, 2003 March 1, 2003 February 1, 2003 January 1, 2003 December 1, 2002 November 1, 2002 October 1, 2002 September 1, 2002 August 1, 2002 July 1, 2002 June 1, 2002 May 1, 2002 April 1, 2002 March 1, 2002 February 1, 2002 January 1, 2002 December 1, 2001 November 1, 2001 October 1, 2001 September 1, 2001 August 1, 2001 July 1, 2001 June 1, 2001 May 1, 2001 April 1, 2001 March 1, 2001 February 1, 2001 January 1, 2001 December 1, 2000 November 1, 2000 October 1, 2000 September 1, 2000 August 1, 2000 July 1, 2000 June 1, 2000 May 1, 2000 April 1, 2000 March 1, 2000 February 1, 2000 January 1, 2000 December 1, 1999 November 1, 1999 October 1, 1999 September 1, 1999 August 1, 1999 July 1, 1999 June 1, 1999 May 1, 1999 April 1, 1999 March 1, 1999 February 1, 1999 January 1, 1999 December 1, 1998 November 1, 1998 October 1, 1998 September 1, 1998 August 1, 1998 July 1, 1998 June 1, 1998 May 1, 1998 April 1, 1998 March 1, 1998 February 1, 1998 January 1, 1998 December 1, 1997 November 1, 1997 October 1, 1997 September 1, 1997 August 1, 1997 July 1, 1997 June 1, 1997 May 1, 1997 April 1, 1997 March 1, 1997 February 1, 1997 January 1, 1997

This month in Access Control

• Opening Up About Door Closers
• An Enterprise Approach
• The Framework For Open Systems
• On A Higher Plane
• More from April's issue