G4S Fire & Security Systems explains why the future of security is technology-led

With modern security consumers expecting a proactive, data-driven, intelligent and informed approach to security delivery, the role of technology in the modern security programme has become critical. 

The trend is reflected in market forecasts, with Mintel expecting the security equipment market to rise by 26% between 2021 and 2025 in their UK Security Equipment, Access Control and CCTV report published in 2021.

Far greater accountability

Tim Goodwill, Sales Director G4S Fire and Security Systems explains how identifying a security partner that can deliver across both technology and personnel provision provides far greater accountability and makes security more effective.

Security works best when human expertise is considered alongside technology

Security works best when human expertise is considered alongside technology, allowing the strengths of both to work together in a holistic, integrated program. When they employ technologies in this way, it not only improves security but also makes the operation more financially efficient and sustainable.

Centralised control room

CCTV platforms cover a far greater surface area than an officer performing a patrol and provide real time, 24/7 monitoring to a centralised control room.

Analytics can alert to unusual activity or motion, which can then be used to direct the security officer on what and where to investigate. Without this intelligence, the chances of security being in the right place at the right time are significantly reduced. 

Post pandemic, they see a far greater appetite to challenge security design with a view to controlling risk and delivering financial savings. Technology has a critical role to play. One of their clients, a property management company operating an industrial estate made up of over 100 tenant business units, recently realised the cost benefits available.

Static security officers

They gated the site with physical security measures and upgraded the entire CCTV system

Theft, vandalism and trespassing were major problems at the site, leading to dissatisfaction and lack of confidence from tenants. There were regular incidents of fly-tipping, pallet theft, equipment theft and car dumping.

When G4S took a closer look at the existing security coverage, it was clear that the CCTV coverage was inadequate and the static security officers on site felt vulnerable and unsafe. 

They gated the site with physical security measures and upgraded the entire CCTV system to improve coverage. The static guard and vehicle were replaced with 24/7 remote monitoring of the site, as well as a regular site patrol and timed incident response service.

Physical security measures

This approach improved security, while reducing costs by over £65k pa. In addition to cost savings, the client enjoyed huge sustainability benefits. Their carbon emissions dropped by approximately 8,308kgs per year and water use decreased by 63,000 litres.

Their carbon emissions dropped by approximately 8,308kgs per year and water use decreased by 63,000 litres

With a total of 17 sites for this client, the estimated savings if this approach was implemented at all sites was estimated at £550,000 per year and the CO2e reduction at 28,949 kg per year, which is the equivalent to a car driving around the world, twice.

Critical national infrastructure

Whilst most people know G4S for the provision of security officers, technology is far more developed in G4S than many realise. G4S Fire and Security Systems is the technology arm of the business.

Employing over 150 engineers and supporting 3,500 sites across the UK, G4S Fire and Security Systems designs, installs and maintains a broad range of security systems to customers of all sizes, with a specialisation in high security environments such as critical national infrastructure. 

Clients include universities and higher education, healthcare, data centres and stadia, as well as Europe’s largest construction project. They supply security systems to a number of critical infrastructure and high security projects which means that their existing and potential customers view us a trusted partner.

Access control doors

G4S Fire & Security Systems is currently delivering the largest value Security Systems Project

As an example of the size and scale of the technology capability, G4S Fire & Security Systems is currently delivering the largest value Security Systems Project ever awarded in its sector.

The project covers 800 sites across the UK and includes 50,000 cameras, 25,000 access control doors, 32,000 PA speakers, 250,000 intruder alarm points and 150,000 network points. 

What’s significant is that not only does G4S Fire & Security Systems install the technology itself, but real time service is delivered by their SOC (Security Operations Centre) which monitors surveillance from all sites simultaneously and intervenes when necessary.

Mobile incident response

If the SOC is alerted to a threat such as a fire, intruder or lone worker request for support, staff will immediately react and deploy an appropriate physical security response working in close collaboration with the on-site security teams and G4S mobile incident response.

Staff will immediately react and deploy an appropriate physical security response working

This centralised approach has allowed G4S and the client to consolidate the servicing of both the fire & life safety and security systems. This centralises accountability for system support and issue resolution and means that the same engineer can service both systems, reducing the amount of travel needed for site visits - offering a clear sustainability and cost-saving benefit.

Carefully managed partners

Rather than manufacturing the technology, G4S Fire and Security Systems is an ‘integrator’, leveraging multi-year relationships with trusted manufacturing partners such as Avigilon, Axis and Honeywell. They operate a rigorous vendor selection programme and then commit to accreditation programmes so the customers can be confident that they have the necessary skills and support infrastructure to deliver on the promises.

They take quality seriously and recognise the confidence that product accreditations provide the customers. One example is G4S’ Access Control System Symmetry which has been listed in the National Protective Security Authority Catalogue of Security Equipment (CSE). This catalogue exists to help security practitioners identify appropriate physical security equipment.

Physical security equipment

They look at a whole host of factors including power availability, network infrastructure

Behind every system’s deployment is a well-established support process that exists to make sure each project is completed on time and within budget. 

The process starts with design. For each project, the Design Team carefully evaluates the requirements and recommends a solution to suit the environment and budget. They look at a whole host of factors including power availability, network infrastructure, coverage and integration with existing systems.

Preventative maintenance cycle

Once the project is approved, it is handed over to the Project Management team, who oversee all aspects of implementation to make sure the project is successful. The team following a 3-stage process made up of:

• Preparation: where the team complete pre-installation surveys, produce detailed delivery, installation, commissioning, handover and user training plans.
• Execution: equipment deliveries, ensuring the right site access clearances are in place, installation and testing, certification and handover completion.
• Optimisation; completion of user training, definition of preventative maintenance cycle and handover into customer care team.

Remote security services

Once the systems are live, the Customer Care Centre provides 24/7 support to quickly resolve any issues, as well as working closely with the UK-wide field-based engineering team. When a service issue does arise that cannot be resolved remotely, the team uses real time, location intelligence to identify the most suitable engineer with appropriate skills to attend site and complete the fix.

Given the critical nature of many of the sites that we secure, speed of response is key

Given the critical nature of many of the sites that we secure, speed of response is key. They operate with some demanding response targets that they are proud to meet over 90% of the time.

In many instances, they go a step further and provide real time remote security services from their highly accredited, fully resilient Cat II NSI Gold Standard Security Operations Centre, which provides round the clock support and delivers a whole suite of services, including remote surveillance, alarm monitoring, lone worker monitoring and intercoms. 

Lone worker monitoring

This site manages over 750,000 security incidents annually, triaging false alarms, providing first level support and then dispatching a security team or blue light (emergency services) when necessary for more detailed investigation.

So, with the post pandemic environment pushing the shape and scale of the future of security, technology is here to stay, and G4S Fire and Security Systems is playing a crucial role. With technology systems at the heart, G4S connected security programmes are reshaping the security of the future.

To find out more about the role of technology in modern security and how G4S Fire and Security Systems integrates with G4S personnel provision visit the technology area of the G4S website.