Hiring a professional security firm is the key to ensuring the safety and security of the guests at your next big event.
That said, the wrong security firm can make things a whole lot more difficult and throw the entire event into complete chaos. So, with so many different security firms online vying for your attention and business, how do you go about finding the perfect security for event?
In this article we will help you to do just that, walking you through the easiest steps that you can take to find the ideal security company to bring in to manage the security at the event you are hosting. Of course, the perfect security firm will vary depending on the event in question and your specific needs, but here are a few of the universal tips of the trade that you can rely upon.
Work out your security requirements
The first step to finding a security company whose services meet your security requirements is to identify exactly what those security requirements are.
Take into account the size of the venue, the number of people that you expect to attend, and common security threats that would be expected for similar event. If you are unsure where to start with this, why not get in touch with other event organisers in a similar industry.
The type of event you are hosting will have a major impact on the type of security measures that will need to be put in place. For example, at a concert, crowd control barriers may need to be installed to prevent dangerous overcrowding, whilst at a political rally the threat is more likely to come from protesters intent on disruption.
Whilst conducting your own risk assessment and using the findings to locate the perfect security firm to put appropriate measures in place is a good idea, you will also want the firm you do choose to conduct a further investigation after you hire them. They will be able to use their expert eye to spot risks around the venue that you might have missed and use their experience of providing security for similar events in the past to build the most effective security system possible.
Make a list of potential options
Once you know exactly what it is that you need from your security company, it is time to start looking for companies that offer the required services and narrowing down your options. Seeking recommendations from other event managers or the venue itself is a good place to start with this search, as is the SIA approved contractors register, a compilation of security firms who are committed to maintaining the highest standards of work.
Online searches will return a flood of results that can be a bit overwhelming but are still a pretty solid place to begin your search, especially if you look at independent review websites rather than relying on the word of the security company themselves.
Make a list of around 3-5 different security companies that you think may be a match and begin to look into each in a bit more detail.
Ensure they are properly licenced
All security officers must hold a SIA licence in order to carry out the duties that are required for an event security guard. It is essential that you check that all the companies on your list are fully licenced and accredited before proceeding any further with your consideration.
The precise licencing requirements for events may vary depending on the location but bear in mind that there will be additional requirements if you intend to serve alcohol on the day.
What is their experience?
The more events a security firm has handled successfully the more confident you should be that they are a good fit. A background in similar events should have been a pre-requisite for getting onto your shortlist in the first place but make sure to ask further questions about the firm’s background at similar events. They should be able to provide you with specific information about events they have worked on and tell you how they would utilise this experience to ensure that your event is a success.
Talk to them
At the end of the day you are giving an event security firm a huge amount of responsibility and it is vital that you are confident with the services they are providing and trust them to deliver. The only way to build this trust is to talk directly with each firm and choose the company who provides the most assured responses. Many event security companies offer the same or similar services and the final decision may well come down to personal preference rather than numbers or statistics.