What to ask when choosing a security provider: Your Checklist

Choosing a security provider is an important decision for any business to make. When you’re placing the safety of your premises, equipment and staff in someone else’s hands, you need to know it is a firm you can trust.

But when faced with flashy websites, glossy brochures and slick sales pitches, it can sometimes prove difficult to know where best to turn. And the last thing you want is to be won over by promises that are never delivered on.

Should you use a national or local provider?

Whether you’re planning to use an external security company for the first time, or have decided it’s time for a change, there are some key considerations you need to make. One of the first is whether you will go with a large national provider, or a smaller regional company.

While a national company may provide you with the confidence that comes from using a larger, well-known name who could scale up with your growing business, it doesn’t guarantee quality of service. You also risk becoming just another number within the system – and sometimes it’s not so good being a small fish in a big pond.

In contrast, using a reputable local company can lead to a more personalised and flexible service, delivered by a team that has a greater understanding of the local area. This may have a positive impact on potential response times and you may also find, if growth is high on your agenda, that a quality provider will be able to grow with you and your evolving needs.

 So, how do you choose? What do you need to know to help you make an informed decision and ensure your expectations will be met?

 To help you, we’ve put together this handy checklist, covering all areas of operation. From examining how flexible a provider can be, to how security personnel are screened and vetted, what key performance indicators they work to and how they manage the unexpected.

 The information you gain with this checklist, should help put you in a position to be able to make an informed choice.