About Sandown Bay Security CC ( sbs@intekom.co.za )
What does SECURITY mean today ?
Security is not merely an alarm system or burglar bars
or a well fed pet. An effective SECURITY SYSTEM comprises a decent ALARM SYSTEM coupled to a CONTROL CENTRE that is manned 24 hrs a day 7 days a week from which a RESPONSE can be initiated. The Control Centre is of paramount importance as this is the central point to which reporting takes place and from which reactions are co-ordinated.
Criminals are constantly devising ways to bypass and render useless the protection we afford our assets and ourselves. Modern alarm systems are designed to cater for the protection of persons and assets. The ‘noise makers’ of the past were designed for a bygone era. The security industry as we see it today is made up of players specializing in the various elements of security ranging from guarding to surveillance. It is important to understand that the perspective of each of the players depends on his involvement – an alarm installer needs to make a profit on the installation but may have little concern for the ongoing service of that client. On the other hand the Security Service Provider who has to monitor and respond to the client requires the best product to be used which will give the best information and limit unnecessary false alarms. This may result in the cheapest product being used by the installer while the Service Provider specifies the best. The whole issue is further complicated by alarm system purchases being categorised as ‘grudge purchases’ other than informing one of bad news an alarm will generally not have much to say or do!
It is obvious that standards need to be set not only for installations but also for monitoring stations and response entities to ensure that reliable service levels are achieved and maintained.
P.S.I.R.A. (Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority.) the mandatory watchdog of the industry as a whole has strict control mechanisms in place for guarding, response entities etc. Regulations concerning monitoring control centres, marketing, maintenance and alarm installations will no doubt follow.
In the absence of official control mechanisms the industry has tried to police itself through the establishment of voluntary organisations such as S.A.I.D.S.A (South African Intruder Detection Service Association.)
I.S.P.A. (Independent Security Provider’s Association) Essentially both organisations strive for similar goals - meaningful standards, customer security, awareness and control of the industry.
How does one assess a Security Service Provider?
The basic principles apply:
1. Make sure that the prospective Service Provider is registered with P.S.I.R.A. and preferably affiliated to either S.A.I.D.S.A. or I.S.P.A. Visit the Operations Centre and satisfy yourself of their professionalism.
2. Enquire about the products that t
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