Detect Deter Report

It was 4 am and Security Guard (SG) Keith was making his rounds, when he encountered an open door leading to the employee parking lot. Upon further inspection he noticed that the door had been propped open using a folded piece of cardboard. So he immediately took photographic evidence of the open door and then stepped outside to survey the parking lot to see if he could view anyone loitering or within view. After not seeing anyone, he stepped back in through the open door and removed the cardboard. SG Keith then radioed in to the command post what he had discovered prompting all on-duty guards of the situation and thereby a sense of heightened vigilance. Finally, after completing his rounds he filed an Incident Report so that further action would be taken to address the event.

Does this sound like a plausible event? Did Security Guard Keith fulfil his duties? Were the actions of SG Keith able to achieve the Securitas mission? In the field of security a guard must be keenly aware of the important functions tied to their position. At the heart of it, and the reason private security was even established, lies a three prong role of the security guard - Detecting, Deterring, and Reporting. It is these tasks, which are also at the core of a Securitas guard's position, and which our clients are expecting from us in the course of a day's work. On the face of it this seems like a pretty straight forward concept, but one must understand all the interrelated assignments that are associated with these functions. To fully comprehend this let's examine each of the three major roles one by one.

Download our This Month's Spotlight from the following link:

http://goo.gl/FF4Ae7

Employee Wellness: Tips for Healthy Living

With busy schedules and lifestyles, keeping the mind, body and soul healthy can be a major challenge. Securitas would like to offer these tips to help everyone live a happy, healthy, safe and balanced life:

• Get Physical – Exercise not only helps you build muscle, lose weight and gain self-confidence, but it's vital in maintaining a healthy heart. And, don't think you need to spend hours at the gym to achieve a new physical you. From strength training and cardio workouts, to walking the dog or taking the stairs – anything that gets your heart pumping will benefit your health.

• Stress is a Mess – Over time, stress can lead to serious health issues such as obesity, depression and even death. Wellness experts suggest that when you start seeing red, instead think blue – as in blueberries. Antioxidants found in the tasty fruit fight stress hormones. Also, don't forget to breathe. Inhaling a deep breath for 5 seconds then exhaling for another 5 seconds can help clear your mind and enhance blood circulation.
• LOL, Laugh Out Loud – Build your immune system through laughter! Health-increasing hormones like endorphins are released into your body when you laugh. Additionally, laughter works your abdominal muscles.
• Eat Healthy – We know we should eat healthy, choose the ideal proportions or foods and food groups to eat according to your body size and structure.  For more information, please reference Canada's Food Guide.

• Get Plenty of Zzzzzz's – Between work, family and extra activities, it's sometimes difficult to get the necessary 6 to 8 hours of sleep per night. Be sure to avoid caffeine or exercise right before bed. Instead, try reading a book or mediating.

• What's Up, Doc? – Going to the doctor only when you're sick isn't going to cut it. For both your physical and mental well-being, it's wise to have a routine annual physical examination. Especially if your family has a history of health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure, getting regular check-ups can help prevent or detect serious health issues.

• Yoga-tta Do It – Yoga, an ancient practice of stretching and breathing techniques, has become a popular exercise for both men and women. In addition to releasing positive energy, yoga prevents injuries, promotes flexibility and can add relief to a stressful day.
• The Right to Recreation – You schedule meetings and appointments each week, so why not schedule time for recreation? Be sure to set time each week for activities you enjoy. Whether it's dinner with family and friends, or taking the phone off the hook and curling up with a good book, be sure to block out time on your calendar with activities that you enjoy and will rejuvenate you.

Identity Theft: The Digital Doppelganger

"But he that fliches from me my good name/Robs me of that which not enriches him/And makes me poor indeed." (Shakespeare, Othello, Act iii, Sc.3.)

We live in a modern digital world where there exists a growing and unknown threat from cyber thieves. As we approach the end of the summer and begin to prepare for the holiday season, we must realize that we all are at risk of identity theft. In the era of quick internet searches one can find out a treasure trove of information on people with nothing more than a name and maybe an address. Understanding and awareness is what can mean the difference between proactively stopping a crime in its tracks or working reactively for months, if not years, to repair the damage.

Learn Proper Work Email Etiquette, Today

What is proper email etiquette while at work?

Ask yourself two questions when preparing a work email. First, “Is it inappropriate?” and second, “Will it offend anyone?” If you can answer yes to either or you are not sure then err on the side of caution and do not click that send button.

The best rule is always use a common sense approach to email then you will not have anything to worry about. In this day and age of social media and digital technology keep your professional and private lives separate. If you would never say it to someone's face then do not send it to their email! 

In this issue:

• What is email etiquette?
• "I deleted it, but is it really gone?"
• Learn clear and concise communication skills

Continue reading...

How do you Create Efficiencies without Compromising Security?

True alternatives create efficiency while saving both time and money. Today's economic environment is driving many companies to strike a delicate balance between managing costs and continuing to maintain high standards for their security program. So it's not surprising that companies are looking for a possible way to reduce expenses; security services are often the easy target. But compromising security can create vulnerabilities that could end up costing thousands, if not millions of dollars.

We understand the need to manage costs without compromising security. That's why we've developed Integrated Guarding, a three-dimensional approach to security. This innovative solution combines On-site Guarding with Remote Guarding and Mobile Guarding to provide the most efficient, cost-effective solution for all security needs. Securitas officers perform vital functions that rely on friendly, consistent human interaction but also have a wealth of resources on hand to cover core duties in non-traditional ways. After an operational analysis, we develop custom-tailored alternatives to cover any unique security need.

Spotting Suspicious Activity

The milder weather of spring coaxes green stems to sprout and dreams of travel to blossom. Unfortunately, the weeds of terrorism also sneak out of their underground hiding places and attempt to blend into the crowd of budding spring flowers. Travel experts are forecasting a sunny season for increased tourism in 2015. At the same time, security experts are forecasting a stormy year of increased terrorist activity. Unlike the lovely spring flowers, terrorists cannot thrive in the bright light of day. They prefer to strike from the shadows; blending in with innocent people so as to make detection of their despicable plans more difficult. The challenge for the security professional, and the general public, is to spot the weeds as they are sprouting and rip them out by the roots before they can overrun the flower beds. 

Focus Your Vigilance 

Most tourists tend to be curious and somewhat adventuresome, occasionally wandering off the beaten path to discover new sights and experiences. Terrorists may also be curious and adventuresome when planning an attack. How will you tell the difference between the two groups? You will have to be alert to some subtle differences in behaviour.

Download and Read the complete Spotlight on Security from the following link:

http://goo.gl/05cbD5

* This guide is for informational purposes only and does not contain Securitas Canada’s complete policy and procedures. For more information, contact your Supervisor or Branch Manager.

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Your Guide to Travel Smart & Safe

Are you "leaving on a jet plane," "rolling down the river," boarding the "Chattanooga Choo Choo," or just "cruising down the highway, looking for adventure?" Travel can broaden your knowledge and enrich your spirit. So, let's start packing! But remember to pack more than just your clothes. Pack one of Securitas's core values, Vigilance to help make your travel safe and secure.

One of the very first things you should do is to make a thorough checklist of all the items you need to pack and to take care of before you leave. Did you remember to put a hold on your mail? Did you confirm your hotel reservation? Did you get your traveler's checks? Have you packed any medications you might need? With so many different things to remember, it is easy to overlook something. Making a checklist will help you keep it all straight. In the same way that a good security officer should check their post orders, a good traveler will verify that every item on their checklist is packed or taken care of before they set foot out of the home.

The attached handbook provide you some safety tips on how to travel smart. Click on the Download Link Below for your copy of the handbook.

Three Golden Rules

These safety tips are only a few of the dozens recommended and following them will help make our travel safer. At the root of each of these safety tips are three simple rules that apply to daily living as well as to travel.

• Plan ahead 
• Remain vigilant 
• Use your common sense

Following these three key safety rules and applying the safety tips can help make your travel experience both secure and satisfying. Have a nice trip!

***This guide is for informational purposes only and does not contain Securitas Canada's complete policy and procedures. For more information, contact your Supervisor or Branch Manager.***