There are few choices as important for businesses as deciding who to trust with providing comprehensive security solutions. This is especially true for organizations working in high-risk industries like finance, energy production, data management, and healthcare. However, businesses across all sectors have compelling reasons to exercise caution when seeking a security systems vendor.
Why the Choice Is So Important?
Today’s security landscape is more complicated than ever, and choosing the wrong vendor can have lasting consequences. Some vendors that focus on solutions for physical security have blind spots when it comes to cybersecurity. Others provide only a very narrow range of security solutions.
The best vendors provide unified security platforms that allow personnel to access all the tools and equipment required to keep any campus safe without sacrificing network security. Genetec is one excellent example. The company provides an intuitive, unified security platform with highly secure networks and data safety protocols in place and works with equally reputable partners.
Top Factors to Consider
Every business has different needs, so no one solution’s right for all of them. That said, there are some factors that every business needs to consider when choosing a security systems vendor.
1. Technology and Innovation
No matter what industry an organization operates within, a security system that utilizes the latest in advanced technology will always be better than one that’s a step behind. The reasoning is simple. Criminals are smart, and they’re constantly finding new ways to thwart older technologies. Working with a vendor that stays one step ahead of them is the key to keeping any property safe, which means companies must find vendors that focus on providing innovative solutions to common security pitfalls.
2. Cybersecurity Knowledge
Some people still think of physical security and cybersecurity as being two entirely separate realms, but that’s simply no longer the case. If a security systems vendor doesn’t take cybersecurity seriously, the results can be disastrous. Remember that hackers are constantly on the lookout for easy entry points into networks. Preventing that from happening requires a host of network and data security protocols, including advanced encryption, authentication, and authorization protocols.
3. Industry Certifications
If there’s one way to tell that a security systems vendor takes its work seriously, it’s by checking the company’s industry certifications. Getting certified in different fields of physical security software and hardware provision and cybersecurity is a must for any serious vendor. Check to be sure the vendor’s certifications are in line with the company’s needs.
4. Relevant Experience
Industry certifications help to prove a company’s competencies, but so do case studies and client testimonials. Look for information that pertains specifically to the company’s industry, and choose a security systems provider with relevant experience. This factor isn’t just about the company’s competence but also whether or not the vendor will have access to all of the right equipment, experience, and expertise required to provide tailored, industry-specific solutions.
5. Company Reputation
Learning about the company’s reputation isn’t just a matter of checking for complaints and reading negative reviews. The effectiveness of physical security solutions is something that no security team can afford to leave up to chance. If a company has yet to establish itself within the industry, it’s not worth the risk of working with them instead of choosing a more experienced vendor. Don’t take a lack of negative reviews as proof of the company’s competence. Look for an experienced vendor with an excellent reputation in the industry.
Steps to Choosing the Right Security Solution
Know that the factors described above are important but are not sure how to begin the process of seeking out the right provider. Following some variations of the steps below should make the process easier.
Step One: Define Needs
Beginning with a clear idea of what the company’s security needs are currently and how they might change in the future makes it easier to find a security system that will meet them. Most organizations include some combination of perimeter security, video monitoring, and access control.
Step Two: Explore Products
Once security teams know what their companies’ needs are, they can explore ways of meeting them. Let’s take a look at one example that can help to explain how a company’s security needs can help to determine what hardware solutions should be included in its system. Airports have massive numbers of employees that must be carefully vetted and whose access to the facility must be constantly monitored and controlled. Automated license plate recognition systems and badging solutions offer far more help in this circumstance than they would at a bank in a city’s financial district.
Step Three: Choose a Vendor
Finding a vendor that offers all of the right security solutions can be tough, but patching together a system from multiple integrated software solutions is not a viable alternative. While it’s fine to explore the various product ranges offered by different hardware and software vendors, security officers should focus on finding one particular vendor that offers all of them. A good security systems provider will have partners in the industry that will help them ensure that all of their clients’ needs are met.
Step Four: Implementation
One of the great things about working with a vendor that offers unified security platform solutions is that the team should have little problem learning the new system. Everything will be accessible from the same dashboard, which, if the person or team responsible for choosing a vendor has done its job, should be user-friendly and easy to learn. A good vendor will be there every step of the way when it comes to implementation, as well. Once the process is complete, the company will be left with a fully functioning security system that is much better to meet everyone’s needs.
Start the Search Today
Finding the right provider can take some time, and it’s not a decision that should be rushed. Start investigating options now, even if it’s not quite a time to upgrade. That way, when the time is right, it will be easier to understand the organization’s needs and the tools available for meeting them.
HussaiN is a full-time professional blogger from India. He is passionate about content writing, tech enthusiasts, and computer technologies. Apart from content writing on the internet, he likes reading various tech magazines and several other blogs on the internet. Email ID: [email protected]
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