A modern dome camera on the facade of an office building.
As an owner or manager of a business in United State, you probably have security questions that you weren’t sure how to ask. Here’s a list of common and reasonable questions to help guide you in the future as you evaluate new (or existing) security solutions.
With my special business needs or unique building layout, how can a typical surveillance and alarm system meet my requirements?
Today, with advanced know-how and new cutting-edge technologies such as the Internet of Things, there is no need to accept a standardized, simple security solution. A professional security company can provide a customized solution that meets your specific needs. This system must integrate intrusion detection with the latest digital video and access control solutions to meet your needs. Suppliers can also take into account special hours of operation, unique building floor plans, industry-specific demands, and so on.
I’m a small business or a business and I can’t afford a big business security camera in Chicago. Do I have options? Clear. As mentioned above, you can select a custom system that meets your specific needs, including your financial resources. Your needs may require only relatively simple and inexpensive systems, such as a stand-alone burglar alarm. A good supplier will not go overboard and should provide exactly what you need based on your budget. Appropriate systems must be scalable to support future growth and additional resources as needed.
I’m in a truly unique industry not typically associated with commercial security systems. Should I consider a solution package?
Yes. Third-party security solutions and services cater to almost any type of industry you can imagine. This includes healthcare, government, education, financial services and more. Security or risk management goals vary by industry, but a well-trained vendor will understand the specific outcomes that each requires, ie student security for education, retail reduction, and so on.
Should I consider a free security system?
Despite what a security company might promise, there are no truly free, no-obligation systems. These packages will usually result in an inflated monthly monitoring fee that you pay for the equipment and installation. In addition, a company that relies on sales of free systems has a questionable future revenue stream and therefore is likely to be unable to provide long-term service and support. Installation and service under this type of agreement is almost always performed by local contractors who are not actually part of the national company you are buying from – and therefore do not offer any quality guarantees or refunds.
My business is in a low crime area and I have never been robbed or robbed. Why should I bother considering a security system?
While you may not have been robbed, vandalized or have intruders break into your building, the mere presence of a security camera can deter potential criminals who prefer easier targets. Security solutions must also be part of a holistic system to protect your employees, customers and assets. This includes fire alarms and detectors for environmental hazards such as carbon monoxide, gas, water leaks, power loss, refrigeration monitors, etc. Surveillance and monitoring systems can be used for a variety of non-criminal threats, such as stuck elevators. They can also support your efforts to monitor and measure business analytics to increase operational efficiency.
With COVID-19, security solutions are not my top priority right now. Why bother investigating them?
As mentioned above, security camera are so flexible and varied that they can support your business in ways you can’t even imagine. This is how it is in the COVID-19 era. A monitoring system in public-facing businesses such as restaurants can be used to demonstrate compliance with hygiene regulators, monitor potentially disruptive behavior, control queues, and so on. The question is, can you live without surveillance and monitoring solutions in the post-pandemic business world?
How can I fully trust any third party for the security of my business?
Not you. Be smart and check out the supplier by doing due diligence. Check references, research vendor history, review certifications, etc. If there is a command center, request an inspection visit (if they allow it with current virus concerns). Make sure your provider does not outsource their services/solutions to unaccountable partners. No reputable vendor will mind you putting the effort into the review – they might even receive it with the confidence that they will stand out from the crowd.
