In corporate spaces, security officers are often the first person we greet. Officers are an integral part of office buildings. Seetan Varsani, divisional director at the London-based guarding company Corps Security, pictured, says security partners need to remain proactive against hybrid office use, changing threats and lone worker risks.
At this time of the year, office workers have settled back into work after taking some time to relax, celebrate the holidays with family, and mark the new year. For many, a staple part of that return was the friendly faces at the front desk of their building. In office buildings, security officers are often the first people workers speak to and are an integral part of setting the tone of their day, keeping them safe, and the building’s assets secure. Particularly in inner-city locations, they require a blend of consulting, monitoring and guarding teams that work together to deter crime and appropriately respond to complex public situations, including protests.
Though in-office working mandates are on the rise, with 40 per cent of organisations calling staff back five days a week, hybrid working is still common for many. With office occupancy fluctuating, security partners need to rethink their approach to their day-to-day services.
Changing trends
The way office spaces are used has adapted in the years following the pandemic. For example, there has been an increase in open-space area activities to draw people in. These events often feature guest speakers and staff who operate stalls on different well-being topics, from mental health and wellness support to crime prevention, offering advice to building users.
This heightened flow of non-employees in and out of the building requires increased vigilance and screening procedures. Organisations need to understand the risks visits may bring; if events are occurring in organisations’ office spaces, they need to be conducted as safely as possible, as they will be liable for any incidents and injuries. For example, their teams need to carry out comprehensive risk assessments and secure public liability insurance.
Suppose larger events like auditorium speeches are held, an increase in guards would likely be needed to monitor for any threats proactively, host guests and extract all visitors once the event is over. Though this is standard for the industry, larger events like these are a growing trend as organisations push for increased footfall. For all these situations, strong communication between organisations, building management and the security teams is paramount – to keep everyone in the loop, ensure all compliance needs are met, and ultimately keep everyone safe.
Flexible solutions
The debate on office occupation isn’t ending any time soon – some organisations advocate for a full-time return to the office and others argue for hybrid occupancy. Either way, if occupancy is still fluctuating, organisations may need to reconsider their security provision. It is a waste of resources, for example, to have an officer manning a desk for five days a week if an office space is only used for three. Security partners need to proactively engage with clients to develop agile solutions for their hybrid needs. The original investment in an officer on the reception desk could be redeployed into a mixture of officers on the ground, monitoring services and lone worker patrols. These ensure consistent monitoring and can reduce client costs and security downtime.
Responding to unrest
Beyond fluctuating office security services, the evolving threat landscape means that many inner-city offices require adaptable security response procedures. When multiple organisations are operating within the same building, they can come under the same threat from targeted protests. Organised groups may target the building, or partnered organisations of high-profile businesses engaged in controversy, like overseas wars or unsustainable business practices.
To understand the ever-changing threat landscape, there are requirements for intelligence analysis that can inform organisations of the risks posed to the business. All security providers should have intelligence services that scan open-source software online for any information publicised on protest activities, which can be profiled for customers depending on their sectors and work. Reactive responses can then be planned – this could involve increased staff mobilisation, practice tests on security protocols, lockdowns, and ‘invacuations’ (inward evacuations) that ensure those in the building are kept safe.
Another element is cost-benefit analysis – for example, regular officer patrols can counter and prevent incidents like paint vandalism, but organisations need to determine whether the cost of paint removal – especially in terms of the risk of reoccurrence or reputational damage – is lesser than the cost of regular patrols. Security partners can work with the organisation to deliver an appropriate strategy, whether it requires increased remote surveillance or a redistribution of resources.
Changing contracts
Beyond offering flexibility for client security investments, an increasing number of security contracts are prioritising social value. Issues such as ensuring all security officers are paid the Real Living Wage are becoming increasingly important across the sector. Portions of contract revenue can also be allocated to disadvantaged groups. Security organisations can establish a charity partner that benefits from new social value contracts. For example, Corps’ partner Combat Stress, the UK’s leading veteran mental health charity, receives a portion of revenue when it is embedded into new client contracts.
These changes are especially valuable for corporate spaces – not only is it the right thing to do for our employees and local communities, but for the public sector, it is an embedded requirement in procurement. When social value is considered in the tendering process, security partners and corporate clients can benefit from integrating it, together.
Support at all hours
Lone working security officers are a staple part of estate security, making rounds of properties and ensuring that everything is safe and monitored for up to 12 hours a shift. Unfortunately, lone workers are facing increased threats. EcoOnline reported that the physical and verbal abuse they face has steadily risen by 46 per cent over the past two to three years. To provide these officers with the right tools against any threat, their security provider needs to equip them with discreet options for emergency assistance. For example, Corps Monitoring developed the Corps Protect services that work in line with clients’ emergency escalation process to create a protective circle and reassurance.
Protective devices could include key fobs, ID badges, smart watches, mobile apps and body-worn cameras that contain an SOS button. Once triggered, either via pressing, vibration detection or another feature, these devices alert Corps Monitoring’s NSI Gold, BS5979 accredited Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). From there, the ARC can speak directly to the officer (if it is safe to do so), follow the security provider’s pre-approved emergency escalation process or contact emergency services. So, no matter the hour or the incident, officers remain supported and ready to tackle any threat.
Prioritising safety
Whether an office is used sparingly or occupied every day of the week, hosting events or facing threats from protest groups, a security partner’s role is to keep the environment secure and keep all employees safe. With proactive relationships with clients, safety strategies can be developed for all hybrid working.
