Homework Responses Wk 3

Hello Professor and classmates,

 

The difference between contract security guards and proprietary security guards is contract guard are normally hired and trained by a company that is then contracted to provide security for another entity. For example, the U.S. Department of State (DoS) can advertise that they are seeking high threat protection within global hotspots now that this opportunity has been advertised. Private security companies can compete for this contract and everything from costs and experience / qualification levels of the personnel are taken into the equation. Ultimately the company is selected and start filling the contract requirements. The personnel performing the protective mission usually come from military combat arms experience or law enforcement and posse some form of security clearance. They are trained by the company they were hired under (let’s say Triple Canopy) (Constellis.com, 2020). There may be some training or indoctrination completed by DoS but the personnel are not DoS personnel and are considered Government contractors. Proprietary security guards provide security for the specific company that hired them. For example, Lowes will hire a loss prevention officer. This individual will be trained and onboarded according to company policy. Following the onboarding they will work within the Lowes store location that they applied for until they quit, get fired, or get fired. The differences between contract security guards and proprietary security guards varies as to which is a better option. It depends on level of security, experience and the professionalism of the individuals performing the work. Another example, some apartments with private security hire individuals who don’t seem to care and just sit on Facebook the entire night instead of roving the property. You get what you pay for!

 

If tasked with countermeasures for a medium sized public library we must first select the cost-effective appropriate level required to protect the property, employees and the general public. According to our reading assignment, medium level security “impedes, detects, and assesses most unauthorized external activity and some unauthorized internal activity. This is achieved by the use of a properly installed centrally monitored alarm systems. Unarmed security officers may be on the premises for part of the day” (McCrie,2007). A risk assessment should be conducted for the area of the site should be researched to determine if additional resources need to be allocated. With this said, every government building should have a fire detection system, and an alarm system for unauthorized entry after hours or when the facility is closed. For this library, I would say that the entry was should have key entry with RFID access to first unlock and secure the building at the end of the day. A simple upgrade is hardware used for doors and the frame or wall. Exterior constantly on or motion detecting lights is a must for a perimeter, or for this I would say the outside of the building. Parking lot lights for general public safety. CCTV cameras should be on the exterior covering points of entry and egress to the building and property as well as cameras in the parking lot. CCTV cameras should also be internal and placed with visual of entry ways. The Cameras should be monitored by a monitoring service. Signs saying “NOTICE: VIDEO SURVEILLANCE IN USE ON THIS PREMISES” can be employed as another deterrent. Workers should have visible township identification visible during business hours. I would also implement an internal alarm for active shooter threats. A possible memorandum of understanding could be implemented with the local police to include a perimeter check of the grounds.

 

References:

McCrie, R. D. (2007). Security operations management. ProQuest Ebook Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com

 

Norman, C. T. L. (2015). Risk analysis and security countermeasure selection. ProQuest Ebook Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com

 

Constellis.com. (2020, November 16). Physical Protective Services. Retrieved October 21, 2021, from https://www.constellis.com/what-we-do/security/physical-protective-services/