As the UK enters Lockdown 2.0, which includes restrictions like the closure of pubs, restaurants, gyms, and non-essential shops going into effect on 5 November, security technology is likely going to play a bigger role than ever before. This lockdown comes as the head of the NHS said that there are over 11,000 Covid-19 patients in hospitals across the UK. The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, has told the public that the lockdown will end on 2 December.
So what are some of the guidelines and best practices that the security industry has learned since the first wave of Covid-19?
According to the Security Industry Authority (SIA), the best advice is to stay at home whenever possible and keep your children at home – even if you are an essential worker. The definition of an essential worker includes security provision in hospitals, schools, social care, courts, government offices, supermarkets and the food supply chain, the transport network, national infrastructure and utilities.
Similarly, roles supporting law and order also meet the critical worker definition. This would include, amongst other areas, the guarding of empty or closed commercial, retail or office premises, the monitoring of premises via CCTV or live video, and the provision of alarm response centres including mobile patrols. If your work cannot be performed from home, then try to assess whether you can deliver services remotely. If you need to be physically present then you should seek to minimise the number of staff working alongside you and enforce social distancing. That’s where technology can help.
The pandemic caught much of the world off-guard and the need to rely on security technology now has never been greater. The last 9 months have seen an increase in the number of security officers in our communities. They work within the school system, public areas in the city, and are a valuable asset supporting public events.
According to Oakpark Security, a premier supplier of technology-driven resilience and security solutions across East Anglia, UK, TrackTik’s security workforce management software has been a fantastic investment. “We started using TrackTik in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic because they are the only solution that could handle our mobile operations. 3 months in, and we’ve already started reaping the benefits of automation for our mobile division, flexibility when it comes to reporting, and giving our clients more value through analytics. With them, we’ve become more efficient on the field even while working remotely. TrackTik has been one of our best investments yet.”
In addition to providing safety for citizens in our communities, it is equally important to ensure that the safety of security officers is just as important as the safety of the communities they protect. That’s why private security service companies should invest in a solid security workforce management solution like TrackTik that includes safeguards to ensure the safety of officers and especially lone workers. Look for a solution that includes guard safety tools like real-time incident reporting, and other mobile tools like a panic button, GPS tracking and automated notifications, and video recording.
Must-Have Features
- Panic button: For situations when your officer is in serious trouble, the inclusion of a panic button ensures that your guard can send an immediate alert to your office team. Your site-dedicated emergency contact can then take swift action to call emergency services and get the necessary support to your officer. Being able to respond quickly to this type of notification could very well save an officer’s life.
- Tracking and Automated Notifications: One of the most frequently highlighted features of lone worker systems is GPS tracking, which allows you to keep tabs on an officer’s location at all times. Many lone worker systems take things a step further with the implementation of geofencing systems and other alarm features.
- Video Recording: The addition of video recording can also improve lone worker safety. For example, let’s say that one of your security guards encounters an intruder while on patrol. Rather than attempting to describe the suspect afterward, they can instead activate their video recording to capture a clear image of the perpetrator. This not only helps law enforcement take proper action, but it can also protect your worker against legal concerns if there is a dispute surrounding the incident.
To learn more about how TrackTik can help you maximise your resources, deliver better service, and protect your officers, please reach out to us at https://www.tracktik.com.
