With Restaurant bombings, school shootings, and other violent encounters on the rise, people are starting to increase their security needs and budgets. Committees are being established to determine the best methods of security, and pinpoint exactly where measures need to be concentrated. And with the need for security on the rise for a lot of places, the mindset tends to lean towards spending more on all the different types of security. After all, you can’t put a price on peace of mind, right?
People are spending more on high tech security assuming that since its high tech, it’ll provide better protection.
They’re also building security in layers. Having an increased budget will now sometimes not just allow for one type of security, but multiple types. Across Canada and specifically parts of the US, places like schools are layering. Every method starting from rocks and baseball bats, to super high tech security systems like airport style screening with body scan devices.
They use people, video camera systems, control visitors coming in and out of the building, implement the use of anonymous tip lines, and monitor social media.
Nothing is left unchecked.
Now with the rise of the need or want for higher tech security systems, the question of if they really work and are they really worth the money is relatively new.
The answer therefore is less concrete.
Sure these systems make you feel like all bases are covered, but in the event of an incident, will they really help stop an attack?
Most likely not.
An airport style scanner may prevent or limit the amount of weapons coming in and out of a building, but it won’t stop a bullet. They also only work in the location they are installed. Are there multiple entrances and exits? What about windows? Are they in use and monitored at all hours?
As for cameras, these are another popular and great security device, however they are best at showing you what happens while it happens and after it happens. They’re somewhat of a deterrent for some people who are ‘camera shy’, but they are definitely not going to stop anyone that doesn’t care about the consequences of their actions. They’re also not going to provide any physical protection either.
Security alarms and such are another device used for warning and monitoring an event in progress – but again, they do nothing for physical security.
One of the best security methods is still physical security. Someone that can impede or stop an attack. Screening and monitoring is great, but what about the people on the other side of the secured area waiting to get in? They surely aren’t of any less value then the people who have already passed secure screening, so what methods are in place to protect them?
In the US, armed security from private industries, or dedicated police, are hired to protect around these secured areas and a readily available resource that can respond in a matter of seconds should the need arise.
The latest school shooting in the US saw the dedicated on site police respond in four minutes.
A factor that most likely saved lives and further injury.
Armed or not – a physical presence is still something that can act as a deterrent, and provide an immediate reaction. Talk about getting the most for your dollar.
In Ontario, obviously having armed security is not an option, but still maintaining a physical presence is a huge plus and a definite option.
Physical security is something that you can also rely on as a trusted and true method. Its been a security method for centuries. If you’re curious about its viability and reliability, you can easily go back and do your research. And with social media and society as it is now, you can find the facts on each and every security company you’re looking to work with, thus helping you decide who to help protect your assets – whatever they may be.
Keeping in mind too that every venue, event, person may have different needs at different times. Sometimes having a committee or working with a security company to help establish your needs can be an asset. Spending your entire budget – or especially exceeding it, may not always be the answer that is going to provide you with the most and best protection. Sometimes you can get by on a bucket of rocks to provide you with the peace of mind you need, while sometimes airport style security screening with armed guards is more the way to go.
Money isn’t everything, security and peace of mind is. Finding a happy balance is key.
Guest Blogger Rayna Davies
Rayna Davies is a graduate and practitioner of Business Management. She has developed an expertise in blogging, covering subjects like travel, world events and security. Having grown up with a father who has developed an expertise in Physical Security and Executive Protection in the RCMP and two major corporations, she has personally observed and experienced many security details. These experiences have included personally meeting HM Queen Elizabeth, Prime Minister Jean Chretien and many celebrities. She presently assists Sentinel Security in Executive Protection workshops and guest blogging and also assists Gloprosec Preventative Services in Intelligence gathering and Business Administration. Her passions include World travel, having visited every continent. She currently is on maternity leave and providing daily close protection for a baby and a toddler and spending time with her husband who is a Police Officer.