Security Officers vs. Technology: Why a Hybrid Approach Works Best

Businesses have to invest heavily in security solutions in order to protect their people and assets from security threats. As these threats become increasingly advanced, so too do the solutions. Security is a high priority for any business and the solutions they employ are becoming more innovative and technologically advanced all the time.

Traditionally, businesses have used security officers and mobile patrols to protect their assets, but these can sometimes fall short of providing a comprehensive security solution. Similarly, technology sometimes lacks the adaptability and human vigilance that is needed in some situations. For this reason, a hybrid approach to security is essential in order to harness the strengths of both approaches and to provide the most powerful security solution.

What is a hybrid security system?

Hybrid security solutions combine usable and practical elements of different security approaches, to ensure you have a robust and comprehensive security system. A hybrid approach acknowledges that technology can provide cutting edge solutions, detailed data and insight and powerful threat identification, but also accepts that in some situations there is no substitute for human vigilance, intervention and decision-making.

This means that businesses can integrate different systems and apply a layered approach which uses security solutions which complement each other. This can be security officers and mobile patrols who also work with technological solutions such as CCTV, ANPR, access control systems and perimeter detection systems. A comprehensive risk assessment can identify security threats that are present and a hybrid approach can recommend a bespoke solution involving security officers and technological systems to provide a tailored system that addresses your specific security threats.

The benefits of a hybrid security system

• Visible deterrence – Human security officers are a physical presence and a clear sign that security measures are in place. Combined with cameras and signs that CCTV systems are in place, for example, this also demonstrates that security is being taken very seriously and provides a visible deterrent which prevents security issues occurring.
• Expanded visibility – While CCTV cameras can cover a lot of ground, can record incidents and can detect movement, they can’t necessarily cover every area of your site. Security personnel can work with CCTV to fill in the gaps and patrol the areas that your cameras can’t cover. This provides 100% visibility and ensures weak spots are being monitored.
• Response – While cameras and motion sensors can identify a threat, they can’t react to it. Security officers can use this technology to be notified of a security threat and then can be very quickly on the scene to deal with it. This often prevents security issues occurring or downgrades them from major to minor.
• Reduce costs – Using security officers to patrol areas of a site means you don’t have to invest as heavily in technology, and also means a tailored approach exactly meets your security needs. Bespoke security solutions are proven to be more effective in addressing the needs of a risk assessment. Similarly, the technology you use can reduce the burden on the human resources you employ and make them more efficient and effective in their work.
• Public profile – Technological security solutions can provide hi-tech detection and notification of security threats, but there can be no substitute for the friendly welcome and human intervention of front-of-house security in some situations. For a business where customer relations and public-facing representation is important, security officers are irreplaceable, and can still work with integrated systems such as CCTV and access control systems.

How to implement a hybrid security system

You can only implement an effective security system based on the findings of a comprehensive risk assessment that analyses your specific site and the security risks your location, operations and buildings present, but in general terms you would base a hybrid security system on:

• Strategically placing security personnel in high profile and high-risk areas.
• Installing technological solutions where activity or motion needs to be monitored, or where access is difficult.
• Ensure there is a central monitoring station where security officers and technology can combine to provide 100% visibility and where reactive decisions can be made to respond to the security threats as they happen.

Some considerations you will need to make when implementing hybrid security solutions include:

• Properly identifying your security threats.
• Identifying the right solutions to address these threats, whether they are security officers or technology.
• Partnering with professional security services providers such as First Response Group, who can offer a hybrid approach and who are experienced in integrating security solutions to provide a robust and effective service.

Technology provides much deeper insight and can give you powerful surveillance capabilities, but the vigilance, adaptability and reactive qualities of security officers can be more effective in some situations. In some respects, technology can act as the eyes of your operation, while security officers provide the judgement, insight and decision-making that keeps people safe. It is essential that you harness the benefits of both approaches with an integrated solution and a hybrid approach that improves response times and reduces the impact of security threats. This also ensures you can improve your security as threats evolve and your physical landscape changes.

To talk about integrated security solutions and how technology can combine with security personnel to provide a comprehensive security solution, talk to our team at First Response Group today.