Every year, more and more events are being started by entrepreneurs looking to put on something spectacular, however, when it comes to event management, Security is often one of the most overlooked things, even though they are one of the most important.
But how do you find the right security company for you? Here are 5 important questions you should consider before hiring a security company.
What kind of experience do they have?
Security covers a huge range of industries from hospitality to retail and office, often security companies specialise in one niche area of the market. So hiring a company that specialises in office security might not be a good idea if you’re planning your first festival.
Make sure you ask the security company about their previous experience and whether or not they have managed an event similar to yours.
Can they provide references?
Linking on to the previous question, a security company should be able to provide reference details of other companies and events they’ve worked closely with.
A security company will be working closely with the management team to ensure a safe event, and that relationship is key if the event is to be a success.
Security companies should confidently be able to provide references to find out how they have previously interacted with the management team, employees and patrons.
Do they have a security plan?
If you’ve whittled your decision down to a handful of companies, then those companies should be able to provide you with a clear plan of how they will manage safety and security issues at the event.
The company should layout it’s security plan in concise detail, showing how they will manage the site and communicate with the management team.
Do they use the latest technology?
How up to date with their technology should be a good indication of how they manage themselves and their staff? Do they provide tracking information on stewards on-site? Are they using CCTV to record incidents for evidence for the police?
New technology is coming out all the time, so it’s important to know how up to date the company you’re hiring is.
How much will they cost?
The million-dollar question. And a security company really should be one your list as one of your highest spends. it might be tempting to go for the company looking to low-ball the competition, but that cheap contract could have a trickle-down effect onto its staff.
If they’re not getting paid enough then you could have an event with inexperienced security staff and shoddy management, and as the face of your event, that’s not a good look for you. If things go wrong, it is the security personnel that are on the front line. You need a proactive team who will deal with all issues professionally with a wealth of experience and knowledge, and this will come at a cost. As the saying goes, ‘pay peanuts, get monkeys’
