What to Look for When Hiring a Security Company

So, you’ve made the decision to hire a security guard to protect your business. Where to begin?

What are the main things to look out for? What questions should be asked? How do you know which security company to partner with? All of these are common questions that pop up in our line of work. The answer is – it depends on your objectives!

In security, there’s no one size fits all solution. At Blackbird Security, our approach is to enter into long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships that work equally well for both sides. Not every security company operates this way. There’s nothing wrong with that approach, especially if a prospective client is seeking a short-term solution.

When it's time to pick your next security company, it's important to know which questions to ask. To help clarify your decision, here are five areas to focus on when choosing which security business to partner with.

What Type of Security do You Need?

Security companies often specialize in specific areas. If you’re looking for a company to run event security, try to partner with a security business that’s experienced in the type of events you run. Some businesses prefer to bundle their security alongside another type of service such as cleaning or landscaping. Decide whether you want to work with a specialist security company, or one that offers the service alongside others.

When you initially meet with a prospective security partner, it's ok not to fully understand what type of security you need. Ask their opinion. They're the ones with the expertise and they can advise on the best course of action.

What is Their Track Record?

Any security company worth working with will happily share their client testimonials. Plenty of new security operations pop up regularly with no track record to speak of. Before committing to any sort of security agreement, ask to see client reviews, testimonials, or even consider doing your own research online. Google Reviews are a powerful source of information on a prospective company.

Consider asking other businesses in your industry, or property owners in your community who they partner with for security and would they recommend them.  

Are they a Local or National Security Business?

So much of a security guard’s work is grounded in their understanding of their surroundings. Working with a security company that understands your city well is a strong recommendation. They’ll understand the character of the neighbourhood, potential risks, and how to maximize their coverage based on historical trends.

Learn how Blackbird Security operates in one of Vancouver's most iconic neighbourhoods in our recent case study for District Main Vancouver.

How Flexible is their Security Service?

As we mentioned earlier, security is not an industry that lends itself to off the shelf solutions. Any security company worth working with should be willing to tailor their services based on your unique needs and budget. At Blackbird Security, we meet with each client to devise a custom security plan for their property that maximizes coverage while remaining respectful of budgets.

Whether it’s our innovative mobile security patrol service, or our uniformed guards, we can tailor a security plan that’s unique to your needs.

How Well Trained are their Security Guards?

When you hire security guards, they will often operate in a public facing position within a challenging landscape. How well trained they are will reflect on you. It’s crucial to ask, and expect a thorough answer, when you ask about the training security guards have received. The last thing any property manager or business owner wants is a security guard that’s ill-equipped to handle an emergency situation.

Blackbird Security’s training plan is one of the most comprehensive in Canada. To help ensure world class service, our guards are trained in four key disciplines: Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, and Adaptability.

Find Out More

Ready to discuss your unique security needs? If you have any questions about our professional security services, or how Blackbird Security can help protect your business don’t hesitate to contact us.


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