Make sure you ask the right questions
1 May 2019
Smart Home Automation
Security Services & Risk Management
Appointing an armed response company for your home is becoming increasingly essential with latest crime stats released by Fidelity ADT pointing towards housebreaking and common thefts as the most often reported types of crime.
Selecting a new security company can be a daunting task if you haven’t figured out what you’re looking for. Charnel Hattingh, national marketing and communications manager for Fidelity ADT, suggests weighing all the options before deciding. She says there are four questions to ask.
1. Are their officers properly trained and equipped?
“This is crucial in the case of an emergency; a security provider that deploys efficient and well-trained officers should be a top priority,” advises Hattingh. It is advisable to ask the company what kind of training their response officers have received. It is also imperative to be aware of what kind of protective items they carry when patrolling and responding to emergencies. For example, do they have vehicles with armour plated windows, and are the officers protected with Kevlar vests?
2. Is the security company compliant?
Check if the company is registered with the industry regulatory agency, like the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA). A company that isn’t registered won’t be held accountable for providing officers who are subpar. Non-compliant organisations are not bound to the industry’s regulations, which can negatively impact its services and employees. “The onus lies with the public to ask the relevant questions before entering into any agreement, and to be on the lookout for any potential ‘fly-by-night’ security providers,” says Hattingh.
3. What are you looking for?
There are many technical advances to make things convenient and give you peace of mind. CCTV cameras, home monitoring automation systems and mobile panic buttons are some of options available to homeowners. The company should keep abreast with the latest industry trends. “Technology available on your smartphone can help you to arm or disarm your system remotely and view your property through security cameras, aside from receiving a notification when your alarm is set off,” explains Hattingh.
4. What is the cost?
Ask about hidden cost and know what you will be paying for. To ensure good value for money, become acquainted with the various services on offer to suit your needs. “There is a big difference between merely offering a monitoring service as opposed to a full armed response service. Ask exactly what you will get for your money,” says Hattingh.
“Doing your homework and considering all of these factors will help you find the best security company to keep you and your loved ones safe.”
For more information, contact Fidelity-ADT, +27 11 697 7271, [email protected], www.adt.co.za
Further reading:
Empower individuals to control their biometric data
Information Security Access Control & Identity Management Security Services & Risk Management
What if your biometrics, now embedded in devices, workplaces, and airports, promising seamless access and enhanced security, was your greatest vulnerability in a cyberattack? Cybercriminals are focusing on knowing where biometric data is stored.
Read more...
Strategies for combating insider threats
Information Security Security Services & Risk Management
In Africa, insider threats pose an increasingly significant risk to businesses, driven by economic uncertainty, labour disputes, and rapid digital transformation. These threats can arise from various sources, including disgruntled employees and compromised third-party service providers
Read more...
World-first safe K9 training for drug detection
Technews Publishing SMART Security Solutions
Editor's Choice News & Events Security Services & Risk Management Government and Parastatal (Industry)
The Braveheart Bio-Dog Academy recently announced the results of its scientific research into training dogs to accurately detect drugs and explosives without harming either the dogs or their handlers.
Read more...
New firearms training modules from ITA
News & Events Security Services & Risk Management
The International Firearm Training Academy has launched two new firearms training modules to support career development in the firearms industry: the Maintenance Fitter and the Firearms Custodian modules.
Read more...
Empower individuals to control their biometric data
Information Security Access Control & Identity Management Security Services & Risk Management
What if your biometrics, now embedded in devices, workplaces, and airports, promising seamless access and enhanced security, was your greatest vulnerability in a cyberattack? Cybercriminals are focusing on knowing where biometric data is stored.
Read more...
Background checks: risk levels and compliance
iFacts
Access Control & Identity Management Security Services & Risk Management
Conducting background checks is a vital step in the hiring process for employers or when engaging service providers; however, it is crucial to understand the legal framework and regulations governing these checks.
Read more...
On the ball or unaware
Technews Publishing
Information Security Security Services & Risk Management
Whether an organisation is operating at a high level of information security maturity or has dangerous vulnerabilities that could put an entire business at risk, advanced, strategic penetration testing can uncover its true state of IT security.
Read more...
The bane of burnout
Editor's Choice Security Services & Risk Management
The World Economic Forum has recently formally acknowledged burnout as an occupational syndrome, giving it a status that is even more worthy of being taken seriously and resolved as quickly as possible.
Read more...
A winning combination for modern cybersecurity
Information Security Security Services & Risk Management
Companies are compelled to comply with legislative mandates and, more importantly, implement appropriate security measures for their customers and their most valuable asset – their data.
Read more...
Federated identity orchestration
Technews Publishing SMART Security Solutions
Editor's Choice Access Control & Identity Management Security Services & Risk Management AI & Data Analytics
Understanding exactly who resides at the end of a digital device is key, and simple identity number verification by the Department of Home Affairs is no longer a viable solution on its own.
Read more...
printer friendly version