Most companies implement some level of security. They install cameras at their doors, they get an alarm system, they sign contracts with patrol. Interestingly, just because a company has security doesn’t mean that it’s working.
If something hasn’t happened, people automatically think what they have implemented is working. It’s like saying your smoke alarm works because there hasn’t been a fire in your building. Technically, that logic doesn’t follow through.
How do you know, then, that your security system is working? Here are the signs that indicate whether or not a security system is effective.
A Working Security System Tells You What’s Happening
The first way to tell if something security related is working is if it’s showing you information. For example, do you have cameras that you look at after incidents to find out what’s going on? Or do you actually watch the daily recorded footage and have someone tasked with accessing archives of information?
A working security system gives you information. A motion detection camera logs actions. An access control security system maintains a count of cards and passcodes used per shift. An alarm system—monitored or otherwise—attempts to discern false alarms versus actual incidents and either responds or logs response timestamps. If no one is giving you this information to assess a situation, then something does not work.
Unfortunately, many business owners find out too late that their security system isn’t operational. They assume the camera recorded only to find out later that it was recording to the wrong hard drive. They assume the alarm system is monitored, but they’ve never connected the monitoring station to the alarm—they assume the security company will do it for them. The industry standard for effective security systems include periodic checks and reporting. AG Security Group, for example, includes quarterly reports to ensure systems are checked for efficiency so that business owners don’t fall victim to major gaps in coverage.
With that said, effective systems will attempt a level of testing. A camera will require someone to check it’s still angled down to meet eye level height. An alarm system should be tested once a month. Access control systems should be audited from time to time to see if any old employees still have codes or cards functioning for entry.
If no one is testing anything, then you won’t know if it works.
Response Time Is More Important Than You Think
What happens when the patrol car or monitoring company receives an alarm? How much time passes between the incident and someone on site?
This response time is where working security systems break down. They could have excellent detection systems, but if no one acts quickly on said detection, then what’s the point? An alarm that takes fifteen minutes for someone to show up on site means that person already attempted to rob a cash box and fled before action was taken. A patrol alarm that requires video footage review the next morning means nothing in real time.
How long does it take you to go to security after it goes off? If you use an actual patrol service, do they pitch up when they’re supposed to? There’s a timestamp for this reason.
This is the gap where things go wrong. It isn’t that the devices didn’t do what they were supposed to do; it’s that the lag between detection and acknowledgment meant someone got away with too much.
False Alarms Are Good Indicators
Companies often ignore false alarms because they’re annoying and blame systems they paid for instead of themselves. An automatic door sensor might be too sensitive to sunlight; staff members might forget how to disarm their alarm; equipment might be outdated and needs replacement or calibration.
That’s okay; it happens. But what’s important is understanding that false alarms signal something’s amiss.
If a system is working, it should rarely send out false alarms unless an incident occurs. If it sends a lot of false alarms, it’s not calibrated to fit your needs or the workings around you.
On the flip side, however, if your system operates perfectly yet never sends out any alarms whatsoever—meaning they’ve never sensed something incorrect—then it’s either too stupid (yes, sometimes that’s the case) or not working at all.
There should be times when someone approaches a door without authorization; your system should notify you of that. There should be times when someone forgets their passcode; your system should let you know despite being relatively minor.
Your Employees Know What To Do
The most effective version of a security system only works if people know what to do with it.
For example: if an alarm goes off and people are running around screaming but no one knows how to react, what’s the point? Does everyone know whether or not they’re supposed to evacuate? To call 911? To call the supervisor on shift?
Your team should have protocols in place so that everyone understands what’s going on. Have you conducted drills over your time in business? Has anyone reviewed how the security cameras work so everyone knows how to position themselves if need be? Do employees know what windows are designated emergency exit windows if panic buttons can be pressed inside?
This aspect comes up often; companies purchase thousands of dollars in equipment and never announce how it works or what people are supposed to do with it when it comes down to it.
Your Numbers Make Sense
Has your security system deterred any losses that can save you money based upon your annual coverage?
At some point, everyone should tally how much theft, vandalism or incidents could happen even if they had not secured coverage over their properties—just without deterrent systems in place. Can your systems pinpoint specific incidents since they’ve been in operation? Can they prove prevention—or at least deterrent—was responsible for mitigating action?
If the answer is no—or you’re forcing any anecdote upon it—it means either you don’t work in a high-risk area (unlikely but possible), or more likely, your systems aren’t triggering anything they should be triggering.
Performing a risk assessment annually can allow companies access into understanding when their boundaries aren’t secure—and why.
Walk Around Your Coverage Gaps
You’d be amazed at how many companies realize things lack coverage after they’ve already discovered nefarious activity.
Take a walk around your property with a critical eye. Are there cameras missing certain spots? Is there a gap where no one is watching at certain times?
Keep in mind timing for this coverage as well—perhaps your systems work great during business hours but lock up after hours—literally; they’re gone before anyone else gets on site. Maybe weekends are weak points—or certain entries/exits.
Get Out Of Your Monitoring Contract
Trust your instincts. If something feels off about your system, there’s a chance it is off.
For example: if your patrol hasn’t shown up in weeks; if certain footage never seems up to scratch when need be; if any alarm seems outdated—you don’t need a second opinion to investigate these alerts and call someone else to check.
Most reputable security companies will come in and do their own surveys, noting what’s up to speed—and what’s not even addressing what’s wrong with systems you’re getting paid to maintain.
A security system isn’t something that’s only set once and never visited again—companies change; risks evolve; equipment ages. What worked three years ago may not suffice now—and without anyone else conducting reassessments—you’re operating out of paranoia more than necessary assessment.
If you can’t point towards logs from patrol reports; responses acknowledged timely from video footage; or reports from your monitoring stations, then it’s time to dig deeper as to whether security is worth the cost.
