Security Services across the GTA: 1 (905) 415-1112
, ,

Security for Manufacturing & Industrial Plants Post-Covid

How to best guard your factories, goods and systems from the latest risks 

As a manufacturer, your job is to keep the wheels in motion for global businesses and consumers alike. Whether you assemble the cars we drive, the clothes we wear, or the food we eat, the world relies on your machinery and skilled workforce to keep us fed, clothed, housed and in motion. 

What if a security breach disrupted your vital manufacturing processes? What would be the cost implications for your facility? How might a manufacturing plant security incident effect your entire supply chain — and the consumers and businesses who rely on it? 

To be effective, you need a modern manufacturing plant security strategy suited to the times we live in. The threats are changing, along with the technology, physical environments and the more agile, flexible and secure way we need to operate.  In October 2021, global executives in a McKinsey survey singled out supply chain turmoil as the greatest threat to growth for both their companies and their countries’ economies – greater than the pandemic, labour shortages, geopolitical instability, war and domestic conflict.

Cyber security – just one major threat to the industry

Perhaps most seriously, the supply chain crisis has led to another problem: cyber security breaches. A 2022 IBM Security report details how in 2021 ransomware criminals attempted to “fracture” the backbone of global supply chains with attacks specifically on manufacturing plants. In fact, manufacturing became 2021’s most attacked industry (23%), overtaking the usual targets: financial services and insurance. An alarming 47% of attacks on manufacturing were caused due to vulnerabilities, and gaps in the system that had not been addressed – and could not be patched in time!  According to a 2022 Deloitte survey of manufacturing sector executives, Eighty-two percent expect their organizations will invest more in cybersecurity in 2022, with nearly one quarter budgeting at least 10% more than in 2021. 

But what about physical security – the threats to your equipment, warehouses, machinery – and workforce? How has that changed? Is physical security still as important?

Acts of violence and injuries have become the third-leading cause of fatal occupational injuries in the US, according to OSHA. Closer to home in Ontario, we are seeing an increase in workplace injuries and fatalities, particularly in the manufacturing sector.  

One of the problems is this: many industrial facilities across North America still lack the strong physical security programs required today. 

It’s not just about adding layers to your physical security. Manufacturers today need to take an integrated and modern approach to risk mitigation – and invest in a manufacturing security strategy custom fit for their specific facility.

So how can you best keep your production lines humming – and sleep better at night?

manufacturing plant at night

Here are three ways to bolster your manufacturing plant security

1. Access control – through authorization, identification, and cards.

Access control should be central to any manufacturing security plant security strategy in the post COVID world. With it, you can ensure no one has access to restricted areas and machinery, except authorized and fully vetted personnel.

In the old days, simple gates, barriers, and guards sufficed. Today, however, a vast range of technology-driven solutions exist that will ensure you more robust and reliable security technology suited to the needs of modern manufacturing facilities. 

 These technologies use one or more of the following approaches to ensure only authorized users get access:

  • Authorization: through individual passwords, PINs, or special codes
  • Identification: through mobile phones, phone numbers, hardware keys or identity card
  • Recognition: through advanced systems and the latest Biometrics: think fingerprints, voice recognition and iris scans!

Access cards: a good place to start.

Access cards themselves can be the easiest solution, especially for larger facilities where only certain people require access to certain rooms. These cards can even be coded to restrict access to these areas to certain times, dates, or hours, to ensure no nighttime visits transpire and to prevent entry at unapproved or unpatrolled hours of the day or night.

Access control is effective in curbing unwarranted entry and undocumented use of your facility. But it also serves to protect your people. By ensuring that only fully trained and authorized employees get access to machinery and industrial zones, you are taking an important step to avoid on-site accidents, injuries, and damages – even plant emergencies– all commonly caused by human error.

2. Surveillance – CCTV security cameras for manufacturing plants

It’s no longer enough to have either cameras or guards. You must have both. And when it comes to CCTV units, the technology, usage, and monitoring requirements have changed.

The right surveillance strategy — combining physical guards on site and CCTV units — is vital to ensure the physical security of the plant and its premises. The trend today is not to use CCTV cameras to replace guards, but rather to extend their reach and empower them to do their job in a more effective way.

Certainly, modern CCTV technology has increased the scale of video surveillance improving the quality of monitoring and incident handling. Round-the-clock live remote monitoring brings benefits beyond crime and accident prevention. They can be used to monitor operational efficiencies, track the arrival and dispatch of products, and even watch inventory levels.

But when it comes to risk mitigation CCTVs are a must have. With fewer personnel on site, cameras installed in low traffic areas can help keep you stay alert to undocumented ingresses and egresses, mechanical failures – and even critical accidents and injuries that might occur in isolated places. Monitored video cameras can watch the entire property simultaneously. It can also monitor areas where it’s not safe for people to go like on the roof and in certain areas of the building because of the machinery. 

Plant owners and security executives are seeing the light – and rushing to adopt the latest CCTVs in droves. It’s a trend underscored by recent statistics: the global video surveillance market is estimated to increase by about $30 billion by 2025.

There is no question that when it comes to manufacturing plant security, the latest automated CCTV cameras integrated with your alarm system and the right security personnel, are your best bet to mitigate risk during these changing times. 

3. Security guards – vigilant, tech savvy, and specially trained for manufacturing facilities

Despite the rise of complex technologies, systems, and a move away from the human element, the right guards are an essential component of any modern manufacturing plant security strategy.

Security guards for manufacturing plants need to be specially trained and equipped. They will need to possess a requisite level of knowledge and skills in:

  • Your manufacturing plant rules and protocols
  • Your mechanical processes and machinery, respond expertly in the event of an accident
  • The complex layout of your facility, including your warehousing and industrial zones
  • The latest technology including CCTV, access cards and other technology driven systems protect your facility

Guards you can trust:

Today, it is more critical than ever to only work with reputable security firms that provide only well-trained, and carefully screened security personnel. This is especially the case in light of some crimes being committed from the inside – by guards not fully vetted and background checked. 

By trusting in a reputable security guard firm, you rest easy that the guards on duty will never be the ones committing crimes. You will also be more equipped with the right crew trained to spot any internal or external transgression and take steps to stop criminals in their path.

A good place to start: conduct a manufacturing security risk assessment.

The first big step to beefing up your security is getting a holistic, detailed risk assessment. An in-depth survey of your facility’s vulnerabilities will inform what types of security you need to invest in and how to implement your security strategy. 

Integrated solutions manufacturing security — for today and tomorrow

Today, manufacturing facilities face a variety of threats, from workplace accidents to factory security breaches and supply chain disruption. The ultimate solution lies in an integrated approach – CCTVs, guards, access controls and new protocols all working together to secure your physical premises and people, no matter what. 

Winston Stewart, CEO & Founder

Winston Stewart, CEO & Founder

For more than 30 years, Wincon Security has delivered property monitoring and protective services to retail, commercial, industrial and condominium clients across the Greater Toronto Area. You can rest assured all our security guards are fully trained, carefully vetted, and ready to be deployed to keep your assets and people protected in the post-COVID world.

 

Click below to start a conversation.

Learn More by Requesting a Custom Quote

/by

Security for Logistics and Warehousing Post COVID

Guarding your goods from the inside out

Are you worried about warehouse security issues? Wondering if logistic security protocols have changed since the pandemic? Many industrial facility owners have emerged from the COVID 19 crisis uncertain about what warehouse security services are now needed, especially for large distribution centres. Perhaps you too are re-evaluating your security protocols?

Should you be more worried about crime and risk than before? According to rising theft statistics in warehouse facilities, absolutely!

​Each year, cargo theft costs the Canadian economy $5 billion – and often goes unreported. And there is another exciting trend that global security experts are reporting in the post-COVID world: a rise in theft at warehousing facilities: a clear shift from incidents occurring when goods are in transit to when they are at rest, in storage. In short: a joint report suggests storage locations for goods have become critical risk areas in the post-COVID world. Globally, cargo thefts at storage facilities have risen by nearly 30%

From in transit to warehouse theft occurrences: the big problem in logistic security

According to CargoNet, in the US alone, net losses from cargo theft rose from 49 million dollars in 2019 to 68 million dollars in 2020 – with financial losses 10 times more than the value of the stolen goods. But the interesting fact is this: Whereas cargo on the roads used to be the target, according to the 2021 Cargo Theft Report more thieves are targeting cargo at warehouses, distribution centers, and truck stops.

How ‘close to home’ in Ontario is this rising trend of warehouse security breaches?

In April 2022, a trio of thieves in the Durham region staged several break-and-enters at Stor-It Oshawa Police searched another nearby facility finding nearly 200 stolen items and more than two litres of GHB (a psychoactive drug). And in May 2022, $1 million dollars of goods were stolen (and subsequently recovered by police) from an LCBO warehouse south of Whitby. Security companies in Toronto and the
surrounding area will need to step up to the challenge of rising crime incidents like these.

For facility owners, warehouse security issues go beyond simple theft. A new approach to logistic security is needed.
warehouse security

Here are five of the most pressing warehouse security issues you will face in 2022 and 2023 – and tips on how to address them:

1. Break-Ins

One of the main security risks to any warehouse or storage facility is break-ins. These incidents can cost you both in goods stolen, but also damage to your facilities (doors and windows broken, machinery damaged) – and pose a risk to your employees. Break-ins happen when your warehouse is not properly secured, the right type or number of guards are not present, and weaknesses exist in your security infrastructure.

 What can you do? Here are a few tips (and more can be found below under “external theft”)

1.  Update your warehouse security cameras. Not only a great deterrent for thieves who plan to break in, but modern security camera systems can also collect high-definition footage and upload it to an offsite server to make the identification of trespassers easier.

2.  Boost warehouse lighting. Keeping warehouse facilities well-lit is a crucial safety measure—both to prevent theft, and accidents and to reduce incidents of break-ins

3.  More security patrols. It’s no longer enough to just have guards. More than ever, you’ll need to ensure they are fully trained and diligent in making the rounds to verify that there are no intruders lurking in security camera blind spots.

2. Health and Safety

Large heavy skids, forklifts, pump jacks – and other big pieces of equipment and machinery in your warehouse pose a safety risk to your workers you may not have fully considered.

If used incorrectly, or without security personnel who are fully trained to respond to emergency situations, you leave your facility open to serious incidents; accidents can happen that can lead to injuries, losses – and even death.

If you have employees working in your warehouse, it is important to ensure that they are safe and feel protected. This means that your warehouse or industrial facility should be secure and only accessible to employed workers and properly trained security staff.

Here are some other ways to boost health and safety at your warehouse facility:

  1. Make safety equipment use always mandatory. Ensure proper protective gear, as well as the use of safety equipment such as forklifts or hydraulic lifts to raise bulky products, are enforced to prevent major injuries of all kinds.
  2. Eliminate potential safety hazards. Ensure that floors are free of slip and trip hazards. Also, make regular checks on any potential hazards: electrical cords, spilled liquids, debris, cracks, and pits on the floor. These can cause severe injuries to employees and damage valuable machinery and cargo.
  3. Provide health and safety employee training. By training your employees on best warehouse security practices, you can ensure a safer workplace with fewer accidents – and encourage people to follow procedures more closely.

3. Fires & Flooding

There are few more catastrophic incidents than the breakout of a warehouse fire. Not only will it destroy or damage your goods, machinery and building infrastructure, but it can also put the lives of your staff members in danger. Whether accidental or intentionally set, the threat of fire is a risk that your security plan needs to address and mitigate.

Nearly as devastating as fire is the risk of flooding. As with fire, water can seriously damage your stored goods, along with your building infrastructure. Whether due to poor weather or issues with plumbing, it is essential to plan for this disastrous event – and be ready to respond should a flooding event ever happen.

Here are a few effective methods to help mitigate warehouse fires and floods:

  • Install fire suppression systems, such as sprinklers, fire doors, and fire extinguishers 
  • Have security personnel regularly inspect fire detection systems, such as smoke alarms.
  • Conduct regular flood risk assessments and inspections to identify any areas or goods that are particularly susceptible to flood damage.
  • Ensure you hire warehouse security guards fully trained in fire and flood detection and response.

4. External Theft

The most common type of warehouse security issue involves criminals entering your facility and stealing your warehouse goods. Incidents like this are more likely to occur if your warehouse is not secure. They can lead to a great deal more than a few items being stolen; losses and damage can be so dramatic that they threaten the future of your business.

How can you guard against theft by criminals at your warehouse facility? Here are some tips:

  1. Improve Lighting, inside and outside. Dark areas in and around your warehouse make it easier for criminals to go unnoticed. Adding extra lighting makes it easier for staff and security guards to immediately identify anything suspicious. Pay special attention to external areas, including perimeter fences, entrances, exits and parking lots. 
  2. Secure your windows. Windows are a weak point in any building, including industrial facilities; they are an easy entry point for thieves. Where your warehouse has ground-level windows, make sure they are shatter-resistant. You may also wish to consider security systems specifically for broken windows, where a microphone picks up the sound of smashed glass, and triggers a loud alert to warn thieves and rally security personnel.
  3. Maximize video surveillance. Security cameras are the best way to monitor large areas, especially those in low traffic zones and vulnerable areas of your warehouse. Combined with good lighting, cameras give you visibility of any suspicious activity. The presence of cameras is also a strong deterrent to would-be thieves, both internally and externally

5. Internal theft – Employees: the biggest concern

In September 2020, $150,00 in cell phones were stolen from an Alberta warehouse. More recently an Amazon warehouse in BC had hundreds of thousands of products stolen and, $70,00 worth of appliances were not long ago recovered from a warehouse theft in Abbotsford, Alberta. Was the culprit a desperate outside criminal? No – these were crimes committed by warehouse employees themselves!

With the difficulties of COVID, a tough economy and changing times, a rise in employee theft is being reported across many industries, including industrial storage and warehousing.
Have you noticed inconsistencies in your sales records? Invoices are missing or appear as duplicates. Or stock is constantly found near exits or loading bays? You may be a victim of internal theft.

Lower traffic, fewer staff, higher risks:

A lot has changed since COVID. You may have laid off staff or become less vigilant in your hiring practices. With fewer people on site, more attention needs to be paid to who works for you – and the logistic security systems and guards in place.

What can your facility do to combat internal employee theft? Here are some tips:

  1. Beef up your background checks before hiring warehouse staff. Whether you use your own HR professionals or hire a company, it is critical to do your due diligence on new hires before letting them into your facility
  2. Toughen up and communicate your company policy on theft. Now is the time to communicate a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to theft or fraud. You may wish to have employees sign a code of conduct that clearly outlines how violations will be punished.
  3. Better security guards: Recruit only fully trained and trusted warehouse security personnel. Inside jobs can also occur through the security staff you have contracted that man your facility. Today, it is more critical than ever to only work with reputable security firms that provide only well-trained, carefully screened and fully vetted security personnel. Not only will you rest easy that the guards on duty will never be the ones committing crimes, but they will also be more able and alert to spot any internal or external transgression and take steps to stop criminals in their path.
  4. Conduct internal financial audits of logistic operations.  Signs of employee theft and fraud that may be hidden out of sight in your warehouse or logistics centre may be revealed in during the course of an internal financial audit of the operations.  Irregularities in accounting details may be the first clue that something is out of order and warrants investigation.  This can be the first step in identifying and stopping ongoing theft that may otherwise go unnoticed for years! This approach may be especially effective where the theft or fraud is sophisticated or organized. Internal audits of operations can also be an effective tool for improving performance and productivity. If you do not have an internal audit staff of your own, contact your accountants or an accounting firm with audit capabilities like Deloitte or Peat Marwick.

A more “tech-forward” warehouse security services approach is needed now:

Ultimately, the world is changing – and security needs for warehouse and industrial facilities owners are too.  To keep up, you’ll need logistic security and warehousing teams that are honest, reliable, and fully trained in the newest technologies – including leading-edge computers, access systems and CCTV units. With a reduced staff and rising crime, you will need to make security your number one priority 

Choose the right systems, staff, and guards — and the future of your warehouse will be a brighter one!

Winston Stewart, CEO & Founder

Winston Stewart, CEO & Founder

Perhaps our most important lesson over the past 30 years is the importance of building and maintaining a strong employee culture powered by extraordinary professionals. We’re very lucky to have both, and it’s one of the main reasons why we’ve been able to maintain long-standing relationships with so many clients. As we say, Wincon Security is Built On Service—Driven By Culture. It’s more than a tagline.

 

Click below to start a conversation.

Learn More by Requesting a Custom Quote

Winston Stewart, President and CEO
Wincon Security 

/by

30 years providing trusted security in Toronto: What we’ve learned

Table Of Contents

There are many Toronto security providers, but very few maintain lasting relationships with the property owners/managers they serve. As we celebrate our 30th year in business here at Wincon Security, we’re proud to continue working with companies that have relied on us from our very first day in business. That type of customer satisfaction and retention speaks to the dedication of our team and an approach focused on servicing your unique security needs. 

As our customers, we put your security experience above all else. We’ve worked to earn your trust and maintain your business by delivering leading-edge protective coverage built around an integrated approach to security and service excellence. That focus remains to this day. We’re constantly researching the latest security systems and technology to keep your people and property safe while making enhancements to our team through training and customer service innovations.  

Along the way, we’ve learned a great deal about what it takes to exceed your security expectations, finding ways to ease your security burden so you can grow your business, improve your community, or better service the stakeholders that matter most to you. That means being a true partner and working to understand your ever-changing security needs. Here are a few of the key takeaways as we celebrate 30 years of Toronto security success. 

 

One of our key differentiators as a security company is the comprehensive pre-deployment training we provide to our guards. They’re never allowed to work on-site until they’ve completed all industry-mandated training and certification, our own pre-deployment training program and are fully briefed on details relevant to the protection of your people and property. 

 

Toronto security starts with strategy 

All too often, security firms will assign guards to a site after clients request service, but with little thought beyond covering hours. Early on we asked ourselves a key question: How can we not only provide exceptional security coverage but do so in a way that helps our clients achieve their larger business goals?

We realized that it takes strategy to provide extraordinary security service. We place a strong emphasis on working with your team to understand your needs and then design an effective security plan to protect your people, property and assets. That means working with your leadership team to understand your budget, the unique features of your property, the composition of your resident/tenant/customer/client base and the experience you hope to deliver to them.  

Teaching Compassion in Security Guard Training

We take it a step further by providing insights into ways you can further improve your security infrastructure.  Sometimes that can be as simple as improving lighting in certain areas. Our security integration solutions, for example, offer cutting-edge technology tools from HD CCTV cameras to biometric entry systems that add an impressive layer of protection and complement the work of our security guards. Most importantly, developing an effective security strategy requires communication and a commitment to regularly reviewing plans as your coverage needs evolve. 

A proactive and reactive approach to Toronto security

By thinking and acting proactively, our security guards are trained to spot problems before they create legal liabilities or non-compliance risks for your organization or residential community. That’s often as simple as being on the lookout for red flags such as frozen mechanical room pipes during the winter months or ensuring that doors are secured to mitigate the risk of unauthorized building entry. But as Wincon supervisors constantly remind our team, proactive security coverage is more of a mindset than a tactic. It involves a willingness to go above and beyond, to step out from behind the desk in order to provide a better level of protection. 

On the reactive side, we’re dedicated to near-immediate response times when an incident occurs. Our supervisors are on call 24 hours a day and are ready to react as needed. Wincon Security guards are also trained in effective incident report writing to help document issues and mitigate legal liability, along with fire response, de-escalation tactics and crisis management, among other reactive techniques. When you need us, in other words, we’re there. 

Effective training for the best possible Toronto security experience 

One of our key differentiators as a security company is the comprehensive pre-deployment training we provide to our guards. They’re never allowed to work on-site until they’ve completed all industry-mandated training and certification, our own pre-deployment training program and are fully briefed on details relevant to the protection of your people and property. 

That includes technical considerations such as on-site fire panel or elevator operation, as well as having a full profile of the individuals or community they’ve been assigned to protect. If you manage a condo property with a majority senior resident population, for example, our guards will be fully briefed and aware that special care may be needed to assist residents or to implement specialized evacuation procedures in case of emergency. 

Nothing can replace a strong team 

Winston Stewart, CEO & Founder

Winston Stewart, CEO & Founder

Perhaps our most important lesson over the past 30 years is the importance of building and maintaining a strong employee culture powered by extraordinary professionals. We’re very lucky to have both, and it’s one of the main reasons why we’ve been able to maintain long-standing relationships with so many clients. As we say, Wincon Security is Built On Service—Driven By Culture. It’s more than a tagline.

 

Is your Toronto business interested in security services?

Fill out our quote form and enjoy a consultation with us to learn about your security options.

Learn More by Requesting a Custom Quote

 

Winston Stewart, President and CEO
Wincon Security 

/by
,

Parking enforcement services by security guards – What you should know

Table Of Contents

Parking enforcement is a challenge across condo communities and commercial properties. The good news is that Wincon Security delivers a turnkey parking enforcement service. We start by asking questions about the stakeholders that live in, or use, your property.  Property managers and their security teams are responsible for ensuring that unauthorized parking doesn’t occur on a property, they often run up against a raft of obstacles to enforcement. This creates a spiral effect where it becomes difficult for residents, tenants (think office complexes) or customers (in retail settings) to find parking, impacting their experience and/or ability to shop or work.

In condo communities, for example, visitor parking spaces can easily become overrun by vehicles that don’t belong on the property—namely areas frequented by tourists, or where people may look for inexpensive or free parking (residential properties near shopping malls or main-street retail districts, for example). This becomes an immediate (and obvious) issue because most properties lack enough space to accommodate residents, guests, as well as unauthorized visitors. In condo complexes, the number of parking spaces is controlled, with each suite entitled to a set number of visitor permits per month. In the absence of adequate parking enforcement services, individuals may take advantage of the opportunity to fill limited parking spaces with unauthorized visitors, with the potential for lots to quickly become filled.

The same is true with overnight parking, which is usually also tightly controlled. While some buildings will set different limits for day and night visitor or resident parking, overnight parking is almost always strictly managed with permits.

The benefits of parking enforcement services

Sustained and effective parking enforcement services are about more than convenience. It’s a way to ensure that business can be properly conducted or that residents can access their property as needed. In that sense, it becomes a bottom-line issue.

If parking is a nightmare at a shopping mall, customers will seek out other retail options. If residents don’t have access to parking in their own building—in particular seniors, who may have mobility issues and are unable to walk long distances—a lack of parking can make a residential property less desirable. If clients can’t park when they visit your office for a meeting and are faced with delays or parking-related inconveniences, it can have an immediate negative impact on your brand.

In that sense, the benefits of parking enforcement services are numerous, including:

  • Preventing transient parking
  • Ensuring that parking is available for all residents, by having a limited number of registrations per month
  • Ensuring full compliance and satisfaction among residents, tenants or customers
  • Keeping fire routes clear for emergency services</span
  • Ensuring ample access to disabled parking spaces, as needed

 

Parking enforcement tactics

So, what are your rights as a property owner or manager when it comes to parking enforcement?  As the property owner, you can control who parks on your property. Consent is provided when someone pays or is given a permit—and if they don’t receive consent, they can be ticketed for parking on private property without your permission.

Issuing and limiting parking permits in residential communities or introducing paid parking in commercial settings—potentially with validation options for customers—are some of the most efficient approaches to making parking enforcement services more effective.  While rules vary by municipality, for commercial and sometimes residential properties, it’s generally possible to enforce paid parking by checking for payment and issuing tickets to vehicles that have not paid.

Once the site is approved by the local municipality, security firms can issue tickets for infractions including:

  • Parking in a fire route
  • Parking in a designated handicap spot
  • Parking on private property without consent

The caveat is that as a property owner/manager, you must comply with local regulations before implementing a parking enforcement strategy. That typically includes the aforementioned site approval, and the posting of appropriate signage indicating parking restrictions.

Parking enforcement best practices

The process may seem overwhelming at first. The good news is that Wincon Security delivers a turnkey parking enforcement service. We start by asking questions about the stakeholders that live in, or use, your property. What are your strategic goals as a property owner? If it’s about creating a positive retail experience, for example, that starts the minute your customers drive into your parking lot. How can your parking enforcement strategy improve their shopping visit?

The best approach is to ensure that parking enforcement occurs without confrontation. Overly aggressive enforcement is a common problem among some security providers. Typically, parking enforcement should occur when a site is experiencing the greatest challenges with parking control. It may not make sense to patrol a commercial lot for parking violations at midnight, for example, whereas a condo may experience greater parking violations overnight. 

Our focus on security guard training ensures that our team takes a fair, reasonable and consistent approach to parking enforcement services. We encourage strong communications with your stakeholders (e.g., residents, tenants, or customers), making them aware of new or existing parking regulations and clearly explaining the reasons for enforcement and the consequences of violation.

It’s our way of ensuring that your parking enforcement strategy delivers results without exacerbating existing challenges. It’s about going the extra step to be a true partner to your organization.

Is your business interested in parking enforcement services?

Fill out our quote form and enjoy a consultation with us to learn about your security options.

Learn More by Requesting a Custom Quote

 

Winston Stewart, President and CEO
Wincon Security 

/by

How to choose a security company in Toronto – your 5-point checklist

  1. Does the firm provide pre-deployment training to their guards?
  2. Does the firm offer integrated security solutions?
  3. Does the firm take a strategic approach?
  4. Does the firm embrace proactive and reactive tactics?
  5. Does the firm maintain a strong company culture?

Choosing the right security company in Toronto for your needs can be a game-changer. That’s true for any business or organization that requires ongoing protective services—from commercial and office properties and retailers to condo communities and institutions such as post-secondary educational or healthcare facilities. Effective security coverage can help mitigate the risk of legal liability, theft or vandalism, can help enhance your brand and proactively highlight opportunities for improvement in areas such as security technology integration and emergency response protocols.

But all too often, organizations struggle to find security service providers they can rely on. That’s because many security companies take a passive approach when providing coverage. They often face chronic staffing shortages due to high employee turnover, will win new business, and then struggle to fill positions. This typically results in frantic recruitment leading to the deployment of ill- or untrained guards who are disengaged. The resulting poor on-site performance would be familiar to many organizations that have cycled through a number of security providers: guards who fall asleep at their monitoring stations, who show up to work missing their proper uniform, or who fail to complete basic duties during a guarding shift. 

It’s not entirely the guards’ fault. In many cases the performance expectations are low, the employee coaching is non-existent and the consequences for the ensuing poor performance are almost entirely absent—until the situation gets so bad that the employee is fired and the process starts over again with the next recruit. 

Want to avoid turnover in security providers, along with the risk associated with sub-par security service? Then be prepared to conduct careful due diligence when hiring your next security company. Here’s a checklist of questions that every organization should ask to help make the process as simple and streamlined as possible:

Does the firm provide pre-deployment training to their guards?

It’s important that before a guard is assigned to a client site, they are fully briefed on the technical and personnel/community details relevant to that property, any technical considerations (e.g., use of fire panels, elevator control panels, etc.) and challenges those guards may face during a shift. Additional training points include risk and liability mitigation, fire response procedures, and incident reporting.

Does the Toronto security company offer integrated security solutions?

From High-definition TurboHD and IP cameras to biometric identification and verification systems, leading security companies will be equipped to help address the full scope of your security requirements. Consulting, procuring, and installing relevant technology is a critical piece of the protective services puzzle. So, too, is being able to service that equipment and help you stay a step ahead by making regular upgrades and system enhancement recommendations. If a firm can’t offer integrated security solutions, they aren’t delivering a comprehensive suite of services. 

Does the security company take a strategic approach?

From the moment the Wincon Security supervisory team engages with your organization, their discussions will centre on your strategic operational needs. Some of the most important considerations include:

  • Your operational requirements and objectives (think everything from proprietary information and building access points to vulnerable areas and product/personnel specifications)
  • Your immediate security staffing requirements 
  • Your integrated security technology needs
  • Whether you have an emergency preparedness and disaster response plan (and if not, how we can help you develop one); and
  • Any other detail that may enhance our service offering

At that point, we develop a comprehensive security plan designed to service your needs. If a Toronto security company isn’t prepared to discuss strategy, but simply offers to assign guards to watch over your property or business, don’t expect them to meet your coverage needs.

Does the security company embrace proactive and reactive tactics?

proactive security guard services

It’s easy for a security company to react to a situation after it occurs—think of a slip-and-fall incident or a burst water pipe in a mechanical room. It’s another for that same firm to train its security professionals to think and act proactively, to spot potential issues (including legal and compliance liabilities) before they occur and, when necessary, to respond to incidents in a timely and effective manner. It takes ongoing reinforcement to ensure that security personnel are on the constant lookout for potential problems and take the opportunity to address these issues before they result in otherwise preventable incidents. 

 

From fire response, report writing and de-escalation training to comprehensive first aid/CPR/AED certifications, our guards are well-equipped to deal with situations on a proactive and reactive basis. That includes completing the industry-mandated security training program for guards in Ontario. Not every firm trains to this level or has such stringent security guard qualification requirements, so be prepared to ask questions to ensure that a prospective security provider is equipped to meet your expectations.

Does the firm maintain a strong company culture?

Ask about how the firm works to boost employee engagement, retention and professional development. If those aren’t priorities, then it’s time to look for another provider. Top security companies in Toronto will go out of their way to properly train and motivate their employees while reinforcing a culture of service excellence. In our case, we have team members that have been with Wincon Security for more than 20 years. That’s a testament to our commitment to our people and their professional success. Not many firms can boast that kind of employee retention track record—and it’s a clear indicator of strong company culture. 

Remember that it pays to take the time to conduct the necessary due diligence and select the right security company to protect your people, property, and assets. It’s a process that can require research and vetting, but when you find the right provider, the investment is fully worthwhile. Just ask the clients that have been with Wincon Security since the day our company was founded 30 years ago. 

 

INTERESTED IN LEARNING HOW WINCON WILL MEET YOUR NEEDS?

FILL OUT OUR QUOTE FORM AND ENJOY A CONSULTATION WITH US.

Learn More by Requesting a Custom Quote

Winston Stewart, President and CEO

Wincon Security

/by
,

Wishing you a happy holiday from the Wincon Security team

It goes without saying that 2020 is a year that many of us will be glad to forget, just as we look forward to a socially distanced and happy holiday with loved ones. Indeed, the coronavirus pandemic has challenged everyone from individual Canadians and healthcare professionals to business owners and bureaucrats in ways that we couldn’t have imagined as recently as early March. But the many struggles of the COVID-19 crisis have also reaffirmed our strength and resilience as a country. In the face of adversity, we adapted and managed, even as we continue to mourn the many lives lost and the scores of businesses brought down by the ensuing economic disruption.

The security industry has not been immune to the pandemic’s harsh economic impact. Companies large and small have reeled as affected sectors such as hospitality, travel and retail were forced into shutdown mode or were suddenly required to scale back business in ways that immediately lessened the need for security coverage. But I’m proud to say that through it all, Wincon Security has managed to not only navigate these stormy waters, but thrive.

The reason, of course, is because we’ve built incredible partnerships with our many clients. Their loyalty and support has been pivotal to Wincon’s success for more than 26 years, and in hard times, they’ve remained by our side. We’re grateful for the opportunity to protect their people, property and assets, and we can’t wait to see how we can find new ways to meet their security needs in the years ahead. The push to constantly improve is a core value, one that we embrace and also consider a responsibility that we simply won’t take for granted—it will continue to drive us to deliver even better service to our customers long after this pandemic has passed.

Case in point: We made significant investments to upgrade our technology infrastructure this year, while also working to enhance our employee training and development programs. We believe that delivering effective security solutions is about far more than doing the basics. In most cases, our security personnel are not only frontline representatives of Wincon Security, but also of our clients’ brands—be they retailers, commercial property managers, or any company in between. Their work on-site can significantly impact that brand experience, which is why we constantly strive for new ways to enhance our team’s customer service skills with real-world, situational training.

Of course, helping our customers succeed means staying at the forefront of new technology reshaping our industry. We’ve continued to research the latest in security software and hardware from facial-recognition cameras to advanced biometric systems that could have applications across both commercial and residential properties. That work is ongoing as we enhance our organizational commitment to research and development, which includes enhancing our own back-end technology infrastructure—a critical investment that enabled much of our administrative staff to work remotely during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, none of our success would be possible were it not for the tireless dedication, professionalism and hard work of our team members. At the pandemic’s peak, they put themselves in higher-risk public settings to ensure that our clients’ properties and people were kept safe and secure. They neither complained nor refused the challenge. Instead, they made it to work each and every day with an attitude that exemplified the very best that Wincon Security has to offer.

To better protect them, we recently implemented a new Whistleblower Program that provides a mechanism to report everything from sexual harassment to any form of unwelcome behaviour experienced while on the job. We’re committed to providing a safe, welcoming and fruitful workplace experience—and we’ll do whatever it takes to make sure that our company culture isn’t negatively impacted by unacceptable behaviour. Our whistleblower directive to employees is simple: If you see something, say something.

So, as we look back on 2020 and raise a glass with the promise of a better 2021 ahead, I’d like to take the opportunity to wish you and your family a happy holiday and a healthy New Year. While rising COVID-19 case counts remind us that difficult months still lie ahead, vaccines give us hope that a return to normal is on the horizon. This year proved that we can make it to the finish line—safely, securely, together.

Learn More by Requesting a Custom Quote

Winston Stewart, President and CEO

/by
,

A heartfelt ‘thanks’ to our employees for their work throughout COVID-19

When the COVID-19 outbreak took hold in March, it was difficult to imagine the size and scope of the challenge that lay ahead. Industries ground to a halt as social-distancing measures forced the closure of everything from offices to recreational facilities. Businesses and their employees faced unprecedented uncertainty. Security firms such as ours weren’t spared from the widespread economic impact.

While some clients needed less of our time, many sectors called on us to do more—much more—to help them weather the coronavirus storm. Business leaders quickly realized the degree to which they needed trained security professionals to help them manage everything from store line-ups to protecting shuttered office buildings. Perhaps most importantly, those who needed additional help from Wincon Security came to understand that we could protect their people, property, and assets, but we were also well-positioned to become an extension of their brand. Because our people are well-trained and committed to providing industry-leading service, they could rely on us to positively reflect their company values and uphold their service standards.

Specifically, they could rely on you—our employees—to make the very best of a very challenging COVID-19 situation.

By no means are we out of COVID-19 crisis mode as a second wave of the outbreak looms large. We’re likely to face more difficulties in the weeks and months ahead before we can put this pandemic behind us. But I know that because of your dedication and commitment to excellence, our company will emerge from this stronger than ever. The past six months have only proved what I already knew about each and every one of you: You care. You’re passionate about servicing our clients. You want to make your communities better by helping to make them safer. You want to help our company grow and achieve even greater success together.

Through it all, you not only showed up for work every day, but you demonstrated unbelievable engagement and professionalism. Our competitors faced widespread labour shortages, but all of you ensured that we were able to meet client demand for our services. And you did it with a smile from behind our Wincon-branded face masks. At times that meant exposing yourselves to the general public to do your jobs. But you did it without complaining because that’s what was needed.

As a business owner, I couldn’t be more proud of your hard work and commitment to becoming better at your jobs every day. You’ve proven once again that Wincon is a partner to our clients—be they on the commercial property, retail, condominium or residential sides.

Along the way we’ve taken efforts to ensure your safety in the workplace, whether it’s in the office or at client sites. That meant investing in personal protective equipment (PPE), and sanitizers, increased cleaning of everything from our headquarters to patrol vehicles and even purchasing those aforementioned reusable Wincon masks. Rest assured, we’ll continue making the necessary investments to keep you safe and healthy on the job. Nothing is more important to us than your well-being, as well as that of our customers and partners. We hope the new workplace normal—however it continues to evolve—alleviates the need for such stringent health and safety measures, but that day could still be a long way off.

In the meantime, our strategy is focused on finding innovative ways to service our clients as the COVID-19 pandemic carries on. Many of you have shared ideas to help us find new efficiencies and service-delivery methods as we’ve worked to achieve that goal. We invite you to continue making suggestions and thinking about ways to make Wincon and even better security provider.

As a company built on service and driven by culture, we have the tools we need to make it through this pandemic. Let’s continue working together to achieve our goals and prove once again that there is no emergency situation that our team can’t handle.

Learn More by Requesting a Custom Quote

Winston Stewart

President and CEO

/by
, , ,

How to prepare a disaster and response emergency action plan

An emergency can happen anywhere, anytime.

A fire, flood, natural disaster, or an incident involving a disgruntled employee threatening violence. Preparing for an emergency is critical to ensuring the safety and security of employees or residents across your properties. But if that’s the case, why are so few commercial property owners prepared to handle just such an event?

In our experience, fewer than 10 percent of commercial property owners or condominium corporations take proactive steps to develop comprehensive emergency preparedness and disaster response plan (EPDRP). Those that do rarely communicate the plan or conduct drills to ensure that, in the case of an emergency, the action plan is executed properly. To say this is an oversight would be a huge understatement.

It’s critical for organizations to maintain an easily deployed EPDRP to avoid any unnecessary loss of life in the event of an emergency, as well as to mitigate the threat of litigation or penalties for not taking the necessary, reasonable steps to be prepared. Now, you may be wondering—particularly if this is your first time thinking about the topic—how to design an EPDRP. It’s a good question and one that we’re asked whenever we engage a new client.

With that in mind, here are seven steps for designing an emergency action plan that makes sense for your commercial property and assets:

Wincon Security personnel are fully trained to manage on-site emergencies, even when a formal EPDRP hasn’t been drafted.

Assess the risk—This is the critical first step we recommend when developing any EPDRP. Every property is different, and so are the individuals who either work or live there. To fully understand the risk, you’ll first need to understand what could happen in an emergency situation, even unlikely ones. If your building is in a known flood plain or a tornado-prone area, for example, your plan should reflect those potential risks. If yours is a commercial property, assess the risk from the kinds of activities that are conducted on the premises. If you produce chemicals, for example, your risk levels will be far greater than those at a warehouse facility. In addition, do a headcount to determine how many individuals live or work on site. If you’re a condominium corporation responsible for the well-being of thousands of tenants in an ultra-high-rise building (a scenario I discussed in my last post), the complexity of designing an emergency evacuation action plan will be far greater than in a building of fewer than 10 stories.

Ensure full legislative and insurance compliance—Depending on the location of your property, there may be a set of provincially-mandated emergency preparedness rules and regulations that need to be followed in order to ensure full compliance with local legislation and requirements set out by your insurer. Work with your lawyer, HR team and stakeholders such as local fire or police departments to understand your obligations and ensure that your EPDRP not only complies but even exceeds those minimum requirements. The last thing you need in the event of a catastrophic emergency is to face litigation or legislative penalties because you didn’t take the necessary steps to obey relevant laws pertaining to emergency preparedness and evacuation procedures.

Consult with your security firm and appropriate first responders—Again, police, fire, and paramedics are great resources to contact when developing an EPDRP. Whether preparing plans designed to respond to a potentially horrific incident such as a live-shooter scenario at one of your properties, or taking steps to ensure speedy evacuation in the event of a major fire, first responders are obliged to provide information pertaining to legislative requirements and are (at least in my experience) eager to help mitigate risk for property owners, while minimizing the threat of loss of life in an emergency situation.

Of course, your security firm will be another important resource to help develop an EPDRP. Any reputable firm should even be able to offer a templated plan, then assist in customizing it to suit your specific needs.

emergency action plan security response in toronto
We often work with clients to prepare a custom emergency action plan just for them.

Train all security staff—This is a critical step. In our case, all Wincon Security personnel are fully trained to manage on-site emergencies, even in cases where a formal EPDRP hasn’t been drafted (we typically work with clients to prepare these plans as part of our onboarding process). Your security team members will usually be your very first responders and will likely be the ones making a call to police, fire or paramedics in the event of an emergency—while also meeting first responders and answering questions when they first arrive on site. Security personnel should be fully trained to handle any emergency incident that could reasonably occur on your property. Remember, every building is different, and its occupant population is unique. An EPDRP must be customized to suit all stakeholders’ needs.

Have a plan to stabilize the situation—So, you have an emergency, your security team helps evacuate the premises and now you have several hundred residents or dozens of employees waiting outside the property for first responders to arrive. Now what? Any comprehensive EPDRP should also have a stabilization plan that includes details on where to shelter accident victims until help arrives on the scene, for example, or a relocation spot in the event of a natural disaster that threatens your property. Simply clearing the building isn’t good enough.

Communicate the plan—Many companies go through the motions of creating an EPDRP, only to let it gather literal or proverbial dust on a shelf or in a hard drive. The only effective plan is the one that your security team, management, staff, and other key stakeholders fully understand. Include an EPDRP briefing in your employee onboarding process, then provide a refresher on the plan at least once a year. We even recommend giving everyone from security staff to rank-and-file employees a brief, basic quiz to ensure they understand key points such as how to exit the building from their workstation.

Practice—Remember those annoying fire drills you used to do in school? Well, it turns out they were a pretty useful tool—and they still are. Be prepared to practice emergency procedures such as having employees or residents evacuate your building, and execute steps laid out in your EPDRP. Drills should be conducted at least twice a year—and at random times—to make sure your people know how to respond if, or when, disaster strikes.

Why you need to prepare a return-to-work security plan now

As lockdown measures are slowly eased across Ontario and the rest of Canada, organizations are preparing to return to the new COVID-19 workplace normal. But nothing is simple when it comes to navigating the uncharted waters of social distancing and industry-wide lockdowns–especially when it comes to developing a return-to-work security plan.

While a return to the business may still be weeks away for organizations in some parts of the province, no one can afford to be idle. As a business owner/leader, you need to start planning today to ensure that your workplace is as safe and secure as possible once your employees return to the fold—and that you comply with all relevant government health and safety rules and regulations.

“It will happen in phases, it will be very complex and it will look different for every organization.”

Bill Knightly, Cushman and Wakefield’s Chief Operating Officer of Global Occupier Services

Security plays a key role

Of course, safety and security planning is about much more than ensuring the availability of sanitizers and protective equipment, ramped-up hygiene practices, or establishing social distancing rules and protocols. Those are, of course, essential foundational elements. But there are many security-related components that need to be addressed in a comprehensive and strategic return-to-work plan, many of which will take time and resources to implement.

Cybersecurity, access control, monitoring employee movements and activities, and secure collaboration practices, are among many items that need to be integrated into a well-architected security plan. The good news is that your security provider can play an important role in helping develop and execute a fully integrated strategy—one that addresses the new (and in some cases, rapidly evolving) demands around health and safety compliance, risk mitigation and technology.

A return-to-work security plan should cover everything from basic policies around distancing rules and staffing requirements (some organizations may resort to staggered hours, for example, or a combined office/work-from-home model to minimize personal contact), to more complex technological initiatives around health monitoring and building access and control.

Cybersecurity training
Analyze cybersecurity vulnerabilities and requirements in your action plan.

Conduct a security infrastructure audit

An integral part of the initial planning stages is a thorough review of infrastructure equipment. Planners need to examine what needs to be improved or updated. Are repairs required due to the protracted pandemic shutdown? This is an especially important checklist item for facilities that have been fully closed for a long period of time.

Organizations will also have to familiarize themselves and their employees with the plethora of new safety protocols that are being introduced, including those established by public health authorities and/or the building managers, or your company itself. With that, extensive retraining for both security personnel and other staff will be needed before doors re-open for business. This will need to be refreshed as new guidelines evolve in the months to come.

Bear in mind that security personnel, in particular, may be required to perform additional services, from temperature checks and entrance/exit screening, to more frequent patrolling and social distancing enforcement.

Analyze cybersecurity vulnerabilities and requirements

With the rapid transition to a work-from-home business model, organizations should also be making time to review their cybersecurity protocols. During the recent, rapid escalation in remote workers accessing cloud-based services from multiple devices, organizations had little time to assess their network security in an in-depth way. Now that you have a bit of breathing space, it’s time to develop or enhance your current digital security strategy as part of your return-to-work plan. This should include a rapid redeployment backup plan in the event of a future shutdown.

A safe and secure workplace will likely involve new technology investments. As you plan, consider the role security solutions can play in reducing touching of surfaces; tracking and tracing movements to quickly isolate and address potential outbreak situations; or responding to social distancing infractions (e.g., alerts when employees enter a restricted area).

There are a number of technology enablers that can be integrated into existing security systems to meet the demands of a post-lockdown work environment and ensure that only authorized employees or visitors can enter your premises. Examples of tools being implemented right now across some organizations include swipe pads on doors, touchless registration, “smart” barriers at entrances and exits, biometric scanners, remote locking systems and pressure sensors, and mobile two-factor authentication.

Additional video surveillance systems, along with thermal scanners and face recognition software can help identify suspected infections while tracking the contact and movements of anyone within range of a potentially infected person.

All of this needs to be supported by HR policies that clearly outline restricted areas, who has access, and policies around travel and sick leave—among others. Work with your HR team and potentially even a qualified labour and employment lawyer, to draft effective policies customized to the needs of your workplace and employee culture.

Return to work
The key to action planning is planning early and often as the situation evolves.

Getting your workplace ready to reopen

Global real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield has developed a document entitled Recovery Readiness: a How-To Guide For Reopening Your Workplace. It’s a handy starting point that outlines six guiding principles on how businesses can ensure a safe and efficient transition to workplace readiness.

Here is a distilled version of the principles:

  • Prepare the Building—Implement cleaning plans, pre-return inspections, and HVAC and mechanicals checks
  • Prepare the Workforce—Create policies for deciding who returns, shift/schedule management and employee communications
  • Control Access—Enforce protocols for safety and health checks, building reception, shipping/receiving, elevators and visitor policies
  • Create a Social Distancing Plan—Follow guidelines for decreasing density, schedule management and office traffic patterns
  • Reduce Touch Points and Increase Cleaning—Implement open doors, clean-desk policy, food plans and regular cleaning of common areas
  • Communicate for Confidence—Recognize the fear employees may feel in returning to the workplace and work with them to alleviate their anxiety

Plan early and be flexible

There’s no question there will be a great deal of uncertainty as organizations plan their return-to-work strategies.

“It will happen in phases, it will be very complex and it will look different for every organization,” Bill Knightly, Cushman and Wakefield’s Chief Operating Officer of Global Occupier Services, noted in a recent webinar. “We know progress is unlikely to be linear … We know the rules of the game are likely to change as we’ve seen inconsistent messaging from health authorities and governments around the world.”

That being said, a safety and security planning professional can help alleviate the uncertainty and tailor a fully integrated security plan to meet the specific needs of an organization and its workforce. The key is planning early and often as the situation evolves.

DOES YOUR TORONTO BUSINESS NEED EMERGENCY PLANNING?


FILL OUT OUR QUOTE FORM TO LEARN ABOUT OUR SERVICE OPTIONS

Learn More by Requesting a Custom Quote

Winston Stewart, founder
Wincon Security 

/by
,

Wincon security is here for you as the coronavirus pandemic escalates

The current emergency situation has evolved rapidly in Canada and around the world with the declaration of the coronavirus pandemic and ever-escalating measures to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Our team has been closely monitoring these developments and has enacted Wincon Security’s emergency preparedness and disaster response plan accordingly. Our focus at this point is ensuring the health and safety of our clients, the occupants of the retail, industrial, educational and residential facilities we protect and, of course, our employees.

These are extraordinary circumstances and we’re responding with workplace policy and procedure updates in real-time. We’re in the people business and are fully prepared to meet the challenges that lie ahead. This pandemic is testing the resolve of individuals and organizations across our economy with the introduction of everything from social distancing measures to outright closures. To do our part, we’re monitoring and implementing the advice of local, provincial and federal health agencies and ensuring we go a step above and beyond to protect the people at the heart of Wincon Security.

Our focus is on helping you navigate the hurdles that lie ahead.

With that in mind, we’ve implemented the following policy changes effective immediately. We are:

  • Permitting administrative staff to work remotely or from home where possible
  • Enhancing hygiene procedures across our workplace and at client sites
  • Adjusting resourcing at some facilities and shifting our guards to sites where a physical presence is required, or utilizing technology such as advanced camera systems to monitor facilities where a physical presence may no longer be necessary (e.g., office buildings whose tenants are temporarily working from home)
  • Cancelling all in-person client meetings for the time being and stopping all non-essential business travel
  • Conducting client meetings using teleconferencing platforms until further notice

As first responders entrusted with protecting the people and assets across your commercial or residential properties, we take great pride in providing high-quality customer service, no matter the situation. This one is turning out to be one of the most challenging that we’ve experienced in our organization’s 25 years of operation.

Our focus is on helping you navigate the hurdles that lie ahead in as efficient and seamless a way as possible. We’ll be providing insights in the days and weeks ahead to help you manage and implement everything from data security procedures for employees forced to work from home, to tactics designed to help ensure social distancing and to restrict access to your facilities until the pandemic wanes and life can return to normal.

We believe the key to success at this point is to remain calm and educate employees, tenants and other stakeholders of their role in maintaining health and safety across your properties. This is likely going to be a protracted event that will cause considerable disruption in the coming months. Count on Wincon to be there with you every step of the way.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SECURITY SERVICES?

FILL OUT OUR QUOTE FORM AND ENJOY A CONSULTATION WITH US.

Learn More by Requesting a Custom Quote

Winston Stewart, President and CEO

/by
,

The prince harry and meghan security conundrum: what it takes to protect vips

It’s not easy being royalty. Just ask the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced in January that they’d be stepping back from their royal duties, working towards financial independence and moving to Canada—yes, Canada—the world recoiled at the upheaval shaking the usually staid House of Windsor.

With the royals in crisis over Harry’s snubbing of his monarchical calling—this despite the fact that he’s currently sixth in the line of succession and has no real chance of becoming king—the Queen struck a deal with her grandson that saw him lose several peerages and official titles in return for a life of (relative) freedom in B.C. Then came the next question: who would pay for the Sussexes’ security?

That’s a delicate topic and a political minefield that the British and Canadian governments have been attempting to tiptoe through without causing public uproar. Just last week it was announced that the RCMP would cease providing security to the couple in the coming weeks, the assumption being that they, or the British government, would now be picking up the tab.

One question I’ve been asked of late is an interesting one: What, exactly, does it take to protect a prince? And estimate that Prince Harry’s security could cost in the millions of dollars accurate? While I don’t have any insider knowledge on the topic—and nor should we speculate on the security measures that would be undertaken to protect the Sussexes while in Canada—we can look at the tactics that would be used to protect any VIP or high-net-worth individual whose family could be vulnerable to privacy intrusions or, worse, threats to their safety.

To start that process, a private security firm that specializes in protection for high-profile individuals would be called in to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment. Verifiable threats against the family’s safety would be taken with the utmost seriousness. Security specialists would monitor inbound communications by phone or email, as well as social media activity, for hints of potential criminal threats on the horizon. They would then draft that aforementioned security strategy taking into account those potential risks and implementing tactics to proactively mitigate each one.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle - security guard issue

As part of that risk assessment, a security team would sweep the VIP’s property (once a suitable one was located, of course) to analyze any and all points of vulnerability—including by air, land and water. They would work to lock down any potential access points (the property could potentially be fenced) and highlight weaknesses. A security detail would patrol the grounds as needed.

Any VIP’s home would undoubtedly be equipped with a very high-tech camera system. This would likely include facial recognition software and would be monitored 24/7 by a security detail stationed somewhere on the property or very nearby. Non-celebrity VIPs might rely on remote monitoring instead. Every window in the home would be equipped with glass break sensors and could even be retrofitted with bullet-proof glass. In the case of the Royals, RCMP or British authorities would determine the necessity of the latter feature based on their initial security assessment.

Inside the home, officials would work to make security measures as inconspicuous and unobtrusive as possible. One common feature of luxury homes for the very wealthy or famous are panic rooms—a space where VIPs can take shelter in the event of a home invasion. The trend nowadays is moving away from dedicated panic rooms to a specific functional room in the house, such as a master bedroom, that can be locked down in an emergency. Whatever the proscribed solution, most VIP families would likely have a reinforced space with full communications—and possibly even a dedicated air supply—that could serve as a mini-fortress in the event of a threat such as a home invasion, an attack or a kidnapping attempt. The likelihood of any of those scenarios playing out is slim, but security officials don’t take chances with the safety of their high-profile charges.

Because very wealthy people tend to jet-set and home-hop on a regular basis, they often have only a relatively short list of property options limited to homes with suitable security infrastructure.

A last point on the cost to protect a VIP couple, especially one as high-profile as Harry and Meghan: Initial estimates that the Sussexes’ annual security expenses are in the high six figures are likely understated. If the couple are engaged in public events while in Canada, the cost for their protection could easily climb to more than $1 million per year. Simply having round-the-clock protection involving multiple security professionals can be extraordinarily expensive, let alone the cost to secure venues at official engagements.

Living the high-net-worth or celebrity life isn’t cheap, especially when you’re two of the most famous faces on the planet. Who foots the bill for Harry and Meghan’s security while in Canada remains uncertain, but let’s all hope the Queen is picking up part of the tab—this one could get expensive.

Learn More by Requesting a Custom Quote

Winston Stewart, President and CEO

/by