Why security is even more important in times of uncertainty and upheaval
It won’t have escaped anybody’s attention recently that the world has gone and gotten itself into something of a pickle.
America is essentially on fire and across the globe, millions of homes and livelihoods are being torn apart by the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic – and that’s before we even bring politics into the equation.
In such uncertain times, the security of our homes and our places of business have never been more vital, as we have to work to not only keep them safe from criminal behaviour but hygienically safe too.
Indeed, security has probably never been more important than it is right now for (amongst others) the following reasons:
Keeping it clean
CCTV might be used primarily to keep a property secure and to dissuade criminals from attempting anything illegal but in the coming weeks, as we’re all being told to keep ourselves clean and wash our hands regularly in order to avoid spreading the virus, it can also be used to monitor employee and customer hygiene.
Social distancing
Alongside helping employees to monitor hygiene, CCTV can also be used to ensure everyone is maintaining a safe 2-metre distance from one another.
Social distancing is not a natural impulse for most of us, so sometimes we might need some occasional reminders and real-time monitoring can really help in that regard.
Access control can also be installed in more extreme situations, to allow only certain individuals to access a property at any one time.
Risk assessment
Many security experts will not only provide a range of potential products but will also provide vital risk assessment services. Risk assessment would traditionally have centred on fire risk but in the wake of coronavirus, an assessment can also be made on the risks posed to a business by the virus and what measures need to be taken to ensure the safety of both staff and customers.
Front line staff protection – Throughout the lockdown period, our NHS workers, supermarket staff, and countless others have been working tirelessly to keep us healthy, keep us safe, and keep us fed.
Sometimes, however, those key workers might need a little extra protection from a public who might not have as much patience as they do.
During lockdown, registered security staff were classed as key workers to help keep our workers safe and without them, we’d probably have been lost.
Quick response
If this virus has proven one thing it’s that, as a country, we’re actually surprisingly good in a crisis and can build a major hospital in the space of a few weeks ready and waiting in case the worst happens and the pandemic gets out of hand.
These new builds will require security gates, access controls and perimeter protection, all of which can be provided by an expert security firm.
Security against looters
Whilst the looting and rioting taking the US by its reigns has yet to reach the UK, it’s not unthinkable that it could reach our shores eventually.
With such a potential threat looming, doesn’t it make sense to ensure that your security system is up to date and up to fending off against civil unrest?
It’s going to be a long time before we get ‘back to normal’ and there is almost certainly going to be a long period of adjustment.
And while society has changed as a necessary reaction to the pandemic, protecting valued assets is still crucial for an organisation to remain secure and that’s true regardless of the size of the organisation.
Security can not only be used to these ends but to prevent overcrowding of public spaces whilst maintaining the privacy of employees and the general public. It’s a balancing act, but it’s one that can be quite happily achieved as long as you’re working with the right team.