7 Preparations You Should Make Before Using Security Guard Services

7 Preparations You Should Make Before Using Security Guard Services

Before hiring security guard services, it is important to understand what your property needs and what you expect the security team to accomplish. A clear plan helps your security provider develop the right coverage, responsibilities, and procedures for the assignment.

Security requirements can vary significantly between an office building, warehouse, residential community, construction site, retail property, and industrial facility. The more information you can provide before service begins, the easier it is to establish clear expectations.

Here are seven important preparations to make before starting security guard services.

1. Identify Your Property’s Security Needs

Start by identifying the areas, activities, and situations that require security attention.

Walk through the property and consider where security personnel may be needed. This may include entrances, exits, parking areas, loading docks, lobbies, gates, common areas, or exterior perimeters.

Also consider when the property is most active and when security concerns are most likely to occur.

Ask yourself:

• Which areas need regular observation?
• Which entrances require access control?
• Are there areas that need regular patrols?
• What hours require security coverage?
• Are there specific activities that require additional oversight?
• Have there been previous incidents or recurring security concerns?

The answers can help your security provider understand the assignment before recommending a coverage plan.

2. Determine the Type of Security Coverage You Need

Not every property needs the same type of security service.

Some businesses need a security officer stationed at an entrance throughout a shift. Others may need officers to patrol a large property at scheduled intervals. Some locations may benefit from a combination of physical security and video monitoring.

Common options include:

• On-site security officers
• Mobile security patrols
• Armed security officers
• Unarmed security officers
• Video monitoring
• Security solutions combining multiple services

For example, mobile patrol services can be useful when a property needs regular inspections across multiple areas rather than continuous staffing at one location.

For a fixed security post, armed and unarmed security officers can provide a physical presence at an assigned location according to the property’s requirements.

The right service should be based on the property, operating conditions, and agreed responsibilities rather than simply choosing the most extensive option.

3. Define the Security Officer’s Responsibilities

Before service begins, clearly define what officers are expected to do.

A security officer may be responsible for access control, visitor management, patrols, observation, incident reporting, opening and closing procedures, or other property-specific duties.

Write down the responsibilities that matter most to your operation.

For example, a warehouse may require officers to monitor vehicle access and inspect designated areas after business hours. A residential community may focus more on visitor procedures, common-area patrols, and reporting unusual activity.

Clear responsibilities help prevent confusion between the security team and property management.

4. Prepare Post Orders and Site Instructions

Post orders provide officers with instructions for performing their assignments.

Depending on the property, post orders may include:

• Assigned security posts
• Patrol routes
• Access-control procedures
• Visitor and vendor procedures
• Emergency contacts
• Incident-reporting requirements
• Opening and closing procedures
• Areas requiring special attention
• Escalation instructions

Review these instructions with your security provider before the first shift. Make sure the procedures are practical and reflect how your property actually operates.

Post orders should also be updated when important property procedures change. A new entrance, revised access policy, construction activity, or change in operating hours may require an update.

5. Establish Communication and Emergency Procedures

Security officers need to know who to contact when something requires attention.

Before service begins, provide the security provider with the appropriate property-management contacts and establish how different situations should be communicated.

Define:

• The primary property contact
• A backup contact
• Who should receive incident reports
• Which situations require immediate notification
• How routine issues should be reported
• What information should be included in an incident report

Security personnel should follow the property’s established procedures and contact the appropriate emergency services when a situation requires police, fire, or emergency medical assistance.

Clear communication procedures help reduce confusion when an incident occurs.

6. Prepare Access, Parking, and Site Logistics

Security officers need to be able to access the areas they are responsible for monitoring.

Before the first shift, identify important site logistics such as:

• Security-office locations
• Employee entrances
• Visitor entrances
• Vehicle gates
• Parking areas
• Loading docks
• Restricted areas
• Keys or approved access credentials
• Emergency exits

Give the security provider clear instructions about where officers should park, where they should report at the beginning of a shift, and which areas they are authorized to access.

This preparation is particularly important for large properties where an officer may need to move between several buildings or access points.

7. Decide How Security Performance Will Be Documented

Before service begins, discuss what information you expect to receive from the security provider.

Depending on the service, documentation may include:

• Daily activity reports
• Incident reports
• Patrol records
• Checkpoint verification
• Photographs
• Management notifications
• Follow-up documentation

Ask how reports are submitted, who reviews them, and how you can request additional information when necessary.

Secure Guard uses SecureTrack to support digital security reporting, patrol documentation, and operational visibility when those features are included in the service configuration.

Clear documentation gives property management a better understanding of what occurred during a security shift or patrol.

What Information Should You Give Your Security Provider?

The more accurately your security provider understands your property, the easier it is to develop appropriate procedures.

Before requesting a proposal, prepare information such as:

• Property address
• Property type
• Operating hours
• Requested security schedule
• Number of buildings or access points
• Parking and loading areas
• Known security concerns
• Previous incidents, when relevant
• Existing cameras or access-control systems
• Preferred reporting procedures

Providing this information early can make the consultation more productive and help the provider understand what the assignment requires.

How Many Security Guards Does Your Property Need?

There is no universal number of security officers that works for every property.

The appropriate staffing level depends on factors such as property size, layout, operating hours, access points, required duties, patrol requirements, and the level of coverage requested.

A small commercial property may require a different staffing plan from a large warehouse or multi-building facility.

Instead of selecting a number of guards based only on property size, discuss the actual duties that must be completed during each shift.

Should You Choose Armed or Unarmed Security Officers?

The choice between armed and unarmed security should be based on the property’s needs, applicable requirements, and the responsibilities assigned to the officer.

Unarmed officers may be appropriate for duties such as access control, observation, visitor management, patrols, and reporting.

Armed assignments involve additional considerations and requirements. Discuss the property conditions and security objectives with your provider before deciding which option is appropriate.

You can review the available armed and unarmed security officer services offered by Secure Guard to better understand the available service options.

When Should You Consider Mobile Patrols?

Mobile patrols can be useful when a property needs regular security inspections across multiple areas but does not require an officer to remain at one location continuously.

Patrol officers can inspect designated areas such as gates, parking lots, building exteriors, loading areas, and other locations identified in the patrol plan.

Depending on the service configuration, patrol activity can also be documented through GPS checkpoints, timestamps, photographs, and incident reports.

If your property has multiple areas that need regular inspection, discuss mobile patrol security with your security provider.

What Should You Expect During the First Days of Service?

The beginning of a security assignment should focus on making sure officers understand the property and their responsibilities.

During the initial period, pay attention to:

• Whether officers understand the post orders
• Whether access procedures are being followed
• Whether reports contain useful information
• Whether communication with management is clear
• Whether the patrol or staffing schedule matches the agreed plan

If something is unclear, communicate the issue early. Small adjustments to post orders or communication procedures can make the security program easier to manage over time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring Security Guard Services

What Should I Do Before Hiring Security Guards?

Identify your property’s security needs, determine the coverage schedule, define officer responsibilities, prepare site instructions, establish communication procedures, and discuss how service will be documented.

Do I Need Post Orders for Security Guards?

Written post orders are useful because they give officers clear instructions about their responsibilities at the property. They can include access procedures, patrol areas, reporting requirements, emergency contacts, and other site-specific instructions.

Can Security Guards Patrol Multiple Buildings?

Yes. Depending on the assignment, mobile patrol officers can inspect multiple buildings or designated areas during a shift. The patrol route and frequency should be clearly established in the service plan.

How Do I Know If I Need 24/7 Security?

Consider when your property needs a physical security presence, what activities occur after business hours, and whether there are specific periods when access control or continuous observation is required. Your provider can help evaluate the coverage schedule based on your property requirements.

Can Security Services Be Combined With Video Monitoring?

Yes. Some properties use a combination of on-site officers, mobile patrols, and video monitoring. The appropriate combination depends on the property, coverage requirements, and security objectives.

Prepare Your Property Before Security Service Begins

Good preparation makes it easier for security personnel to understand their responsibilities and for property management to evaluate the service being delivered.

Start by identifying your security needs, defining the coverage schedule, preparing post orders, establishing communication procedures, and deciding how security activity should be documented.

The more clearly these expectations are established before service begins, the easier it is to build a security program around your property’s actual requirements.

Secure Guard Security Services provides security solutions for commercial, residential, industrial, construction, and other properties. Contact Secure Guard Security Services to discuss your property, security requirements, coverage schedule, and service options.