As a business or property owner, you know the importance of securing your assets and may believe that security guards are the best option, but what if they’re not? What if there is a better way? Sure, a live security guard can be a deterrent since there is always a physical presence there. However, depending on the risk you’re willing to take, you may find a live security guard is costing you more than just the guards’ salaries.
Instead, you might want to hire a virtual security guard as your primary security solution. This will give you peace of mind that your property and assets are protected at all times. We can work with you to find out what your specific needs are and install an in-depth security system with alerts, cameras, and sensors that act as a watchdog over your business.
Below, we’re going to explain some of the cons of using a live security guard and show you just how much better a virtual security guard can be.
Downsides of Using a Live Security Guard
There are four reasons why you might not want to hire a live security guard.
- Cameras can do the same job better
- Live guards increase liability
- Live guards get bored
- Live guards can’t see everything at once
We’ll explore each of these below:
Security Cameras Can Do the Same Job Better
There are very few things a live security guard can do that some of the more technologically advanced surveillance systems can’t. Plus, a surveillance camera system works at a fraction of the cost of live security guards’ salaries. When you place video cameras in high visibility and public areas, they provide the same deterrent that a security guard will, and you don’t have to pay the high salary of the guard. You can meet the same security goals with video surveillance as with a live security guard while saving money in the long run.
Live Security Guards Increase Your Liability
When you have a live security guard on-site, it can increase the risk of injuries for the potential trespasser and the security guard. While it’s true that in most areas, security guards are allowed to use a reasonable amount of force to get a situation under control, “reasonable force” is a matter of opinion. What one person considers reasonable, someone else might think is excessive. That being said, the use of reasonable force could open them up to assault or negligence charges.
In addition to possible assault and battery, as the property owner, you must also consider the risks of being charged with wrongful detention if the guard holds someone without cause. These risks that come with hiring a live security guard require lots of insurance, so you are always prepared for the worst-case scenario.
Live Security Guards Get Bored
Working as a security guard is not the most interesting profession. Often, they are just sitting around, waiting for something to happen. Most of the time, nothing ever does happen. This type of inactivity breeds boredom, which makes it easy to fall asleep, no matter what type of facility they are guarding. When you use a virtual security system, you can guarantee you aren’t paying somebody to sleep on the job.
Live Security Guards Can’t See Everything at Once
Live security guards are human and can only be in one place at a time. If they are patrolling on one end of the property, the other end is unguarded. Or, if there is something going on in multiple areas of the property, they can only address one of the incidents. There is not always time to call the police. Of course, the decision is ultimately up to you as the property owner, but you shouldn’t necessarily hire a live security guard because you feel it would make your property safe. You don’t need to have someone on-site to ensure security, and often, technology can get the job done more effectively.
Cost of Hiring a Security Guard
While it is true that a virtual system may be a larger investment upfront, you will save money in the long run. When you hire a live security guard, you have to pay them a salary, so you spend money every time you give them a paycheck. Plus, you must have liability insurance to protect yourself if something happens with the guard and a potential criminal on your property.
Visit our Virtual Security Guard page to learn more about our virtual guard services. We can monitor your property 24/7 without having to be on-site. You don’t necessarily need someone on-site to prevent crime. You just need to make sure your property is well protected.
