by Ntsoaki Sibiya (née Kortjass), founder & ceo, Tsoabelo Security Solutions
Efficient management of a company-wide security policy is the key to making security a positive player in the corporate market, and will single-handedly cut out the negative connotations that some corporates may have attached to the industry.
Everyone in the security industry has heard complaints from clients that their security process - be they external guarding, monitoring, or compliance processes are not delivering the expected returns. The most common reason for this complaint is simply that the processes are poorly managed and supervised. This is related to the fact that there is no formal process by which sustainability can be measured, or that there is no accountability or responsibility for the continuous fulfillment of the original contract. This is most often the case with contract guarding, but is also equally applicable to almost all other aspects of the security industry.
Finally, the problem is compounded by a lack of awareness of the importance of security throughout an organisation, particularly amongst non-security personnel, who do not think of security issues as their problem. It is not as if there is no money being spent in the industry - estimates are that of the R14 billion annual spend - and this excludes IT security -- some 54% is spent on the guarding sector alone. With spends like that, clients have a right to ask for full performance and maximum returns, yet very often what is needed is a corporate mind-set change or shift in approach to the security issue throughout the organisation, rather than just hopping from one service provider to the next.
This mind shift entails an understanding that a complete security spend management process is needed, which ensures that services are supervised and managed properly. Failure to do this can result in a perception that the client gets a raw deal, and that security is some type of grudge purchase. This is compounded when something goes wrong, as then the company as a whole looks to the security department to explain why things have gone wrong. Too often, the attitude is that a security department is not part of the 'real' commercial activities of a company, and only an appendage. This remains so until something happens and then they are once again the centre of attention, usually being asked to explain how they allowed a specific event to happen. Then they are blamed, and conveniently forgotten again until the next time.
Understanding security
Companies first need to understand that security is not some side issue, but in fact central to the efficient running of the entire commercial success of the undertaking.
Security is not just about guarding, but covers the entire HR spectrum as well. It is no good having an efficient physical monitoring system if the employees who are supposed to man that system are demotivated or apathetic in their approach to the job, or if intra-organisational crime is so widespread that there is no self-compliance. Corporations need to understand that it is not only the security department, but the entire organisation which needs to address security related issues. Staff, management, executives must all be made aware of how they can combat intra-organisational criminality and plug holes in external facing security problems, either through motivation courses or a sustained policy of engendering greater loyalty to the company.
Holistic approach
In addition, security departments need to be run by capable people with proper powers and stature, and a decent budget. While there are many capable and efficient people heading up security departments, their hands are often tied because of a lack of resources. Part of an efficient management program is the reform of how budgets are allocated to the security department. Only by addressing the entire range of issues - HR, company loyalty, budgetary division, efficient departmental management, and organisational mind-set change, can a company truly hope to combat the security threats which everyone faces.
A holistic approach to security operations holds the key, not some piecemeal patchwork solution. Have a safe and secured day!
Ntsoaki Sibiya is the Founder and CEO of Tsoabelo Security Solutions, a 100% black woman owned company that specialises in security & risk management services (guarding operations , installations of access control systems and cctv surveillance). The company was established in 2017 and is based in Pretoria, South Africa. Having worked in the security industry for almost a decade, she quickly found her passion for the protection and risk management industry. She embarked on extensive research into the industry’s process, context and content, which gave her insights into the workings of a security business, and the ability to form the blueprint for her own security company. Ntsoaki is a firm believer that a greater role for women in the security is necessary not only to rectify a social injustice, but more importantly, because there is an economic and business imperative to use the talents of women to solve the problems that the world faces. She refers to herself as “the portrait of a power woman” – who is purpose driven and passionate about creating empowering environments, and uses her knowledge and expertise to articulate the importance of security and risk management in all environments. www.tsoabelosolutions.co.za