It’ll come as no surprise that security is a huge point of passion for us. Whether that’s in the services we provide for businesses and events up and down the UK, or in the informative guides and content we produce, we’ve long sought to be the foremost experts in what we do. That’s alongside a deep and long-established understanding of our sector.
Of course, while we’re incredibly enthusiastic about the services we deliver and the expertise we have, we understand that choosing between in-house and outsourced security isn’t an easy decision. Tight budgets, time constraints and worries about service delivery can all contribute towards uncertainty around what the right move is.
That’s where today’s guide seeks to help. We’ll be looking at the differences between outsourcing your security and keeping it in-house, as well as how to come to the ideal conclusion for your site. We’ll provide an expert look at what the pitfalls are, and how you can avoid them to keep your business ticking over.
While there’s much to consider when we’re looking at in-house vs. outsourced security, we’ve distilled it down to the 5 key talking points. We’ll delve into why these are crucial considerations, and how you can make an informed decision.
Often the first port of call for anyone looking into the security, price is almost always the bottom line. Even if you’ve got a substantial budget at your disposal, there’s always the desire to get more bang for your buck. Understandably so – economic downturn, tightening pursestrings and savvier customers all drive a conscious effort to cut back.
That’s arguably where the desire to bring security in-house stems from. It’s easy to assume that, by bringing your security services in-house, you’re ultimately saving money. That’s only partially true, though.
We won’t deny that there’s an initial cost-saving, in that you’re able to pass along those security duties (like locking up or setting an alarm) to someone within the business that you trust. For some, this can prove to be enough – smaller businesses (especially those that are run from a business park or industrial unit with existing security measures) often find themselves in this boat.
If that’s the case, we’d recommend liaising with the security company already on site to let them know about anything you’re planning to put into place. This can address those lingering doubts you might have, and foster a stronger partnership with that company. It’s also a great way to better understand what you can expect from any on-site presence or electronic solutions.
However, where that does become more of a pressing concern is when we progress to more complex security needs. Even small businesses – independent art studios and workshops often spring to mind – are always looking to expand and grow, and as they do, security becomes more complicated.
It’s here that some of the more budget-friendly security options come to the fore. Take our suite of services for small businesses as a great example. Alarm response packages are often the most affordable of options but still provide robust coverage for a fraction of the cost.
That’s scalable as you grow, too. Alarm response is suitable for businesses of all shapes and sizes, but an on-site officer or CCTV system provides a more comprehensive solution to the concerns you might have.
In A Nutshell: If you’re a small business operating from a unit, you could opt to rely on the existing measures organised by the premises owner, with minimal input from your staff or yourself. However, for anything larger or for businesses that are seeking to grow, it’s worth investing in those early stages of security.
Security can be a strenuous job – we know that firsthand, and we’ve seen countless times just how much pressure can be placed on security officers. That’s particularly true if there’s a wide range of duties to undertake, a constant influx of visitors or deliveries, or an ongoing issue with criminality or trespassing.
With hazy laws around retail worker abuse often muddying the waters around the potential consequences of any mistreatment directed to your staff, it can be a scary time to operate as an in-house security officer. That’s where outsourced security can and does come to the fore.
While some premises have more of a public presence or are better equipped with lighting, there are many more that lack those safety measures. This can make staff feel uncomfortable, and you run the risk of your premises being improperly or hastily secured – the last thing you need if you’re in one of the UK’s crime hotspots.
An outsourced security solution is the way to go here. A lock-and-unlock service is one of the more understated options, shaving down costs while still offering the levels of coverage a professional security service can and does provide.
You’ll essentially have an officer at your site when it needs to be opened up, and again when it’s time to lock up. A small service, but one that we’ve seen substantial uptake of, especially for smaller businesses who perhaps don’t have the same budget as larger companies.
In a nutshell: Outsourcing your security removes what can be substantial pressure on your staff, especially if there are concerns in your area. A locking-and-unlocking service is the most accessible way to do this and offers that comprehensive coverage you’re seeking.
One of the lesser-known facts about the security industry is that it’s one of the UK’s most rigorously regulated. The Security Industry Authority (SIA for short) oversees the standards of training, and is consistently updating those in line with new developments.
To work as a security officer, you must have an SIA licence (usually a Door Supervisor (DS) or Security Guarding (SG) licence). Additionally, any security company must also be registered under the SIA – companies that aren’t registered cannot legally operate in the UK, and run the risk of prosecution.
These are the gold standard qualifications for the industry. As an overview, security officers spend several days learning key aspects of safety including:
While these aren’t areas we’ll necessarily identify as regular or recurring issues, they are problems that can and do arise throughout a business’s lifecycle. Even smaller businesses often have a stream of visitors, and having someone who’s able to seamlessly check those in and out is a must-have.
That’s especially true if you’re planning an event such as a product launch or facilities tour, but it’s just as important even if you’ve not got anything of that nature on the horizon. While you’ll always hope no conflicts arise at your site, they can and do happen.
In a nutshell: There’s no substitute for proper training and qualifications. It’s not just peace of mind, it’s about that reactivity and reassurance that – if the worst happens – you’ve always got what you need to keep your business, people and assets safe.
Closely tied with the above point around the right qualifications, an SIA licence is also a stamp of the level of quality you can expect from your security officers. The inside scoop is that to receive your SIA licence, there are examinations you need to complete before you can ever become a security officer.
Of course, after that, there are further measures you can look into to ensure that you’re receiving the highest possible standards. A great way to ensure that is with the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) – a voluntary initiative that places security companies under a meticulous auditing process.
We’ve delved deeper into the importance of the ACS scheme in our complete guide, but suffice it to say that it allows you to better understand the quality you’re receiving and that the company you choose understands the importance of delivering a consummate, quality service.
You could also check the company’s additional certifications. These are extra marks of quality, and allow you to better understand where that company’s focus and priorities lie. Even ones your own business might have – such as ISO:9001 or SafeContractor status – demonstrate how pivotal the right pursuits can be.
These additional accreditations would naturally incur an additional expense, should you choose to pursue them for your in-house security. However, by taking that externally through a security company that’s already gone to great lengths to acquire them, you’re essentially cutting down any potential expenses.
In a nutshell: Extra certifications often require significant and concerted efforts to secure, and by choosing to outsource your security, you’ll circumvent those extensive processes and skip straight to the quality.
One of the most difficult aspects of planning out your security is ensuring you’re able to adapt to the changing tides of business. We’ve already alluded to the idea that most businesses are always looking to expand their scope – that always has to involve security to some degree, and for good reason.
Bigger businesses often paint bigger targets for opportunistic criminals, and as profits rise so too do the risks. Opting to keep your security in-house means you’ll need to scale that alongside the expansion of your business, which only incurs further costs and headaches down the line.
Outsourcing here is a no-brainer. Not only do you prepare more effectively and pre-emptively for your future developments, but you’re also ahead of the curve on the latest developments. Take the newly introduced Martyn’s Law as a great example – an impactful change to the way events and gatherings are secured.
Any SIA-licenced security officers you hire from the law’s introduction later this year will already be well aware of the new developments, where if you opt to keep that service in-house, it’ll be on you to ensure that your team are fully compliant.
There’s also the idea of new premises or larger facilities. As your staff base grows, these are naturally going to change, and with an outsourced security solution, you’re able to simply request those adjustments as and when you need them.
In a nutshell: The pros of outsourcing your security when it comes to expanding and adjusting the services you provide far outweigh the cons. While cost will still no doubt be a factor, the flexibility offered by the best security companies is too good an opportunity to miss out on.
While we’ve comprehensively compared outsourced security and in-house security, the question remains – who should I partner with? And with Churchill Support Services, you’re joining in on the ground floor with the UK’s official #1 security firm.
That’s a position we’ve held for 2 consecutive years now, having been among the top 0.1% for an additional two. We’ve continually refined an approach to security that evolves as you do, tailoring all of our services to match the constraints we know businesses across the UK face.
That even includes your budget. We know not everyone has the luxury of a dedicated fund for their security measures, and we’re happy to work alongside your businesses to tailor a security solution that’s built with those financial concerns in mind.
Interested in learning more about our exceptional services, and how we could be the ideal option for outsourcing your security? Get in touch with our in-house experts today to discuss your options in much more detail.
