The Benefits of Integrated Security VS Physical Security Guards

Security comes in all shapes and sizes—sometimes literally. Determining what type of security system you should implement depends on multiple factors, including your location, industry, staff size, and more. Not to mention that the two can sometimes be like apples and oranges, serving entirely different functions depending on the need.

So how do you compare benefits of physical security guards versus a fully-integrated system? Let’s start with security guards.

Regardless of the reasoning behind your search for a security system, it’s important to consider the size of your location, the amount of locations you have, the type of industry you’re in, the surrounding businesses, as well as business hours and general visibility as you begin looking at your options.

According to Tory Brownyard, there are many benefits to physical security guards depending on these variables.

“Officers are usually more effective for live events, special events, schools during school hours, retail facilities while they are open and wherever the threat of bodily injury is a concern,” says Brownyard. “In fact, some ask their officers to perform only “observe and report” functions, a choice that can lower the cost of the guard firm, as well as the guard firm’s liability.”

Unfortunately, in terms of cost, security patrol can range anywhere between $10 dollars an hour to $100 dollars an hour, not to mention the sheer massive liability that comes with human error.

And those rates can increase to untenable overhead costs at your business’ expense. According to an article from CostHelper.com, simply, “the time of day also affects pricing. Security guards working at a late-night party in the city may cost $30-$50 per hour, for example. An off-duty police officer typically costs $40-$60 per hour for security guard services. Interested clients can contact a local police department for availability and rates, which can be expensive because the officer is working overtime.”

From a cost perspective, integrated security systems are more of an up-front investment, but it pays back in the long haul.

According to Security Info Watch, “Security personnel, when deciding if managed security was the way to go for them, examined a number of factors and, in many instances, acknowledge they no longer have the manpower, infrastructure, capital or time to stay on top of all the moving parts needed to run and maintain an access control system.”

And without manpower to act as a deterrent to break-ins and other issues, your business is looking at a loss of data, equipment, an impact on the public perception of your location, possible harm to your staff and your clients alike.

In a recent study of 1,500 people conducted by Eagle Eye Networks, more than 70 percent of adults favor using video surveillance in schools.

“An overwhelming majority of survey respondents also felt that parents should be able to view video of their children at preschool and daycare (77 percent) as well as in K-12 schools (72 percent) …another 59 percent of respondents said that video should be used to provide real-time insights during emergencies and 57 percent said cameras should be used to deter crimes. Nearly 8 in 10 respondents believed it was important that first responders be granted real-time access to school surveillance cameras.”

The benefits of a custom-made, integrated security system far outweigh the alternatives, and it makes sense, too. In a time where technology rules our every day lives, it has outsmarted the possibilities of human error and can detect a variety of system errors without breaking a sweat.

This article originally appeared in Security Today Magazine and is written by Phil Lake