Connley Walker Security Consulting Blog: Facility Management – Using A Managed Physical Security Service

In the area of security guarding and technology, a security consultants or advisers licence is generally required to legally provide this advice. A number of the large Facility Management companies do have this licence, but most however do not. Licensing is generally required if a Facility Manager advises their client on matters such as security guard numbers and deployment, recommended responses to security incidents, security procedures, what security technology to purchase, what keying systems to implement, what security improvements can be made etc. Without this licence, they are exposing themselves and their clients to penalties (the client being exposed for engaging an unlicensed operator) and lack of insurance coverage if unlicensed advice results in an adverse incident.

A simple solution to these problems is to engage a Managed Physical Security Service. This service can answer to the Facility Manager on a day to day basis but their invoices are sent to the building owner/occupier directly for the service. They also vet and approve security equipment and service provider invoices and send these directly to the building owner/occupier also. In that way, the Facility Manager is not providing security advice and is not on-selling any security services which would also require a security seller’s licence in some states.

A Managed Physical Security Service can be provided by an independent security consultancy that has the appropriate licences in place. Their complete independence from security equipment and service providers is paramount. They can legally manage all security contracts and security capital works in a way that allows them to input their expertise to reduce costs and risks. Their services can also include audits of service providers, audits of guard adherence to standards and procedures, security service quality audits, audits of security equipment for condition and appropriateness, site security risk assessments, development of site security plans, development of security procedures, detailed design of capital works, cost reduction and value management strategies and other ad hoc security advice.