Banks are unique institutions that handle valuable assets and sensitive customer information daily, striving to create a safe and welcoming atmosphere. A high level of security and comfort is crucial to their success.

Despite the banks’ efforts, security risks remain a significant concern. What happens if something goes wrong? What if there’s a security breach? The solution to these pressing questions lies in employing well-trained, highly professional bank security guards.

Qualified and experienced security guard services, such as those provided by Vigilant Tiger in Colorado Springs, can identify potential threats before they escalate into dangerous situations, creating a safe environment for everyone. Their presence can not only deter criminal activity but also instill a sense of safety and protection for customers and staff.

Why Do Banks in Colorado Need Extra Security in 2025?

While modern technology has enhanced the security of financial institutions, criminals continue to evolve and become more sophisticated. According to the FBI, there were 1,362 cases of bank robberies in 2023—a significant number.

If your financial institution lacks the best banking security solutions in 2025, it risks becoming a target for criminals, particularly due to the increased likelihood of:

1. Robbery and Armed Incidents:

Robbery and assault-related crimes increased by 8% in Colorado during 2023 and 2024, as reported by the Public Policy Institute of Colorado. Over 59,000 such cases were documented in Colorado alone in 2023, making it the state with the highest number. To effectively counteract robbery and theft issues, armed security services are necessary.

2. Insider Security Threats:

Employees can also pose security risks, including concealing and smuggling out bank resources. A security guard with expertise in loss prevention can monitor staff to prevent resource compromise.

3. Loitering and Unhoused Individuals:

Individuals loitering without purpose can become a physical threat if not addressed swiftly. They might gather sensitive information regarding banking schedules and staff timings. Additionally, customers could remain on the premises longer than necessary. Deploying armed or unarmed security guards is the best approach to handle these issues.

Customized Security Guard Services for Banks

The security needs of banks in Colorado Springs are unique. Customers and employees expect to feel safe during transactions, and anyone depositing money or assets in the bank should have confidence in its security. When an employee walks into a bank with a cash bag or someone is withdrawing a large sum, the presence of an armed or unarmed security guard fosters a sense of order and safety.

However, merely having a guard stationed at the door is insufficient. Every security flaw must be addressed to ensure a highly secure environment with minimal risks. Thus, each bank and financial institution requires a tailored security approach. We customize our armed bank security services according to your specific needs.

Your personalized security plan will be designed to provide the most effective protection in Colorado Springs. We consider every relevant factor, including:

– Is your bank located in a high-crime area? Should every customer be thoroughly searched and scanned for additional vigilance? Do you operate multiple branches? What type of security technology are you currently using? Are there walk-through security gates or high-tech body scanners in place?

Each of these questions, along with others, will help us formulate the perfect security plan to ensure your bank remains secure and your customers feel safe and valued.

Secure Your Bank’s Future with Brick Lanes Security

Are you constantly stressed about your bank’s security profile? Do you believe your bank requires enhanced safety measures to maintain your customers’ trust and avoid potential security incidents?

If so, you have come to the right place. Flawless bank security is only possible with Brick Lanes Security.

What Makes Us the Premium Security Guard Services Provider in Colorado Springs

Protect Proactively: We Are More Than Just a Security Presence. The presence of a dedicated security staff does not eliminate all security risks; rather, they must remain vigilant to prevent them. Our carefully selected and trained security professionals serve as the first line of defense, effectively deterring misdemeanors and keeping wrongdoers at bay. They will consistently supervise everyone in and around your bank, ensuring a safe environment for all.

Do you need Armed security guard services? Get in touch now!

CONTACT US TODAY

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We Secure Millions of Square Feet of Commercial Property Every Day

Our security services have been utilized by government entities, real estate investment trusts (REITs), retail corporations, and multi-family housing complexes nationwide. Whether you run a small business, a retail shop, a non-profit medical facility, or a nationally recognized corporation, Brick Lanes Security should be your go-to choice for security services.

Our innovative approach, using technologically advanced security services, distinguishes us from traditional security firms that still operate in outdated ways. Contact us today so the Brick Lanes Security team can begin protecting you, your property, your people, and your assets.

Brick Lanes Security is Changing the Way the Nation is Secured—One City at a Time

Our services are customizable to meet any security needs your facility may have. Whether you require a single guard on-site at one location or multiple security personnel actively monitoring a larger area, we can meet those requirements. We also protect your belongings, facilities, and staff members.

Our security team will work closely with you to establish and implement comprehensive security solutions tailored to your specific needs. For more information about our emergency security services, please get in touch with us.

CONTACT US FOR PERSONAL BODYGUARD SERVICES

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Retail loss, shrinkage or inventory loss is a growing menace in the industry that frustrates business owners and leaves customers unsatisfied. Retail loss is defined as a discrepancy between the inventory on the balance sheet and the actual inventory due to losses other than sales. These losses are often a result of theft, fraud, operational errors and inventory damage.

Shrinkage affects a business’s bottom line by cutting into the profits and sometimes leads to understocking situations that frustrate and disappoint customers. When left unchecked, shrinkage impacts employee morale, creates a sense of mistrust among employees and leads to lower job satisfaction. Below are actionable tips you can take to ensure loss prevention in retail.

The Types of Retail Loss

The first step toward successful retail loss prevention is identifying the various types and causes of your inventory loss. Here are the main types of inventory loss to be wary of:

• Operational errors: Errors in operations happen when employees make many unintentional inventory management and accounting errors. They might be misquoting prices or overpaying suppliers, which results in discrepancies on the balance sheet. Operational errors are especially common when employees are undertrained and when the company doesn’t have clear operational policies and procedures in place.
• Employee theft:  Malicious activities by employees and other members of the business with access to systems, facilities and inventory can also result in retail loss. Employee theft includes acts of vandalism, wastefulness, package pilferage, under-ringing merchandise and sweethearting — when employees might offer unsanctioned perks or discounts to friends or family members.
• External theft: Cases of external theft include customer theft, return fraud or vandalism caused by customers and other people who don’t work in the business. You can also incur losses due to external theft when criminals use stolen or counterfeit credit card information to make unauthorized purchases, which are charged back to you.
• Supplier fraud: Suppliers or vendors might also engage in fraudulent activities that cause retail loss. This kind of fraud can include charging inflated prices, not providing the agreed-upon amount of goods you ordered or fake invoices to receive additional cash for inventory they didn’t provide.

5 Loss Prevention Tips

Retail loss prevention involves tightening the grip on how things run on a daily in your businesses. Below are a few retail loss prevention tips to help you curb the most frequent and impactful causes of retail loss.

1. Train Your Employees

To prevent shrinkage caused by operational and administrative errors, it’s imperative to train your employees on the company’s protocols and best practices. For example, equipping employees with knowledge about your return policies enables them to follow the correct procedures to effectively accept only qualified returns and, therefore, prevent potential cases of return fraud.

Some best practices to prioritize training your employees include:

• How to identify potential shoplifters
• The common tactics used by criminal scammers
• The importance of being attentive on the sales floor
• How to handle the security alarm
• The verbal and non-verbal safety cues to use between team members when there’s a theft or other security incident

2. Utilize Physical Security Throughout Your Store

Physical security guards throughout your store, and especially at the key access points, are a surefire way to deter potential theft by employees or customers. The presence of highly trained and visible security guards intimidates thieves because they know your store takes security seriously.

Your best avenue is to look for professional security guards with military or police backgrounds. They have the experience and training to keep a watchful eye, take immediate action when suspicious activity is observed, de-escalate difficult situations and defend your facility and employees from attacks.

CCTVs and strategically placed mirrors are another layer of physical security that deter potential shoplifters and employees with sticky hands because they know they’re being watched and monitored. Video surveillance is also helpful in identifying criminals after a break-in, as it offers a starting point for investigation.

3. Invest in RFID Tech

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) systems help to reduce retail losses by improving inventory visibility throughout the supply chain. Employing the technology involves attaching RFID tags to products and using a machine to read and deactivate these tags at the checkpoints.

Products with their tags intact sound an alarm at the exit that signals a product with the tag is about to leave the store. This technology helps enable store employees and security personnel to take action fast. It also helps track the real-time movement of products in-store and enhances inventory accuracy to ensure you identify losses fast and reduce the chances of people getting away with theft.

4. Point-of-Sale (POS) Systems

POS systems reduce the likelihood of retail loss by enhancing transaction accuracy, monitoring sales and providing valuable insights into inventory management. They ensure that all sales are accurately recorded and prices are accurately applied. They also help to track real-time inventory levels, transaction logs and receipts and automate cash handling processes. They also tighten internal security by ensuring that only authorized personnel can perform specific functions, such as accessing the cash registers.

When synchronized with security cameras, your POS system can help review transactions alongside visual records to identify any suspicious activities. POS systems with void and return controls reduce the risk of unauthorized refunds and exchanges, which curb the likelihood of return fraud.

Employee training in the proper use of the POS system is also essential for maximum loss prevention.

5. Inventory Management

Implementing a regular inventory management system and delegating to a reliable manager helps to accurately track stock levels and identify discrepancies quickly. Tracking the movement of inventory from suppliers to the store shelves can go a long way in reducing the risk of lost or misplaced items.

You should also conduct periodic inventory audits to identify discrepancies between recorded inventory and available stock. A good inventory management system will also help to identify high-theft items or categories to allow for strategic product placement, increased monitoring and implementation of additional security measures.

How Brick Lanes Security Can Help With Retail Loss

Vigilant Tiger is a remarkable security service provider who can help you prevent retail loss by providing you with a strong security presence on the floor. Our professional retail security guards are well-trained former military or police officers with the experience to easily identify and respond to situations that could lead to inventory loss. Our guards conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and attention to intimidate and deter potential thieves. We also conduct extensive background testing and psychological evaluations to ensure your facility’s security is in good hands.

Put shrinkage to a stop now by contacting us today to get started or learn more about our retail loss prevention services.

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The public calls upon police, safety and security officers to solve problems that often require physical intervention. However, what happens when these individuals can’t access weapons or have the time needed to use them effectively? In these cases, law enforcement officers should have the skill to take down an assailant quickly and efficiently. If you want to be able to defend yourself in these situations, you should consider learning martial arts.

What Are Martial Arts?

Martial arts are various forms of combat that have many different styles and vary widely in approaches to training and technique. Practiced for thousands of years in cultures worldwide, the first martial arts had primarily military purposes, but many styles developed for personal self-defense and development over time.

Who Should Learn Martial Arts?

Martial arts are a great way to get in shape, build confidence and gain self-defense skills. Some individuals who would benefit from learning these combat forms include:

• Safety officers: Police, safety and security officers face many dangers on the job. Martial arts for law enforcement give these individuals the skills to defend themselves from physical attacks and protect properties and people.
• First responders: First responders save others every day. When not in an emergency, they should train for one. Martial arts for first responders allow these individuals to mentally and physically prepare for any situation that might arise.
• Anyone who wants additional security: Whether you need extra protection or want to sharpen your mind and body, martial arts training can help you achieve your goals.

Types of Martial Arts for Self-Defense

In unsafe situations, martial arts can give you the tools and skills to minimize risks or get out safely. The process of learning about martial arts for self-defense takes time and patience. Types of martial arts to consider include:

• Krav Maga: Developed in Israel, Krav Maga has since established itself as one of the more popular self-defense styles in law enforcement, as it focuses on using multiple angles and attacks to overwhelm an opponent.
• Filipino martial arts: Many Filipino martial arts systems focus on striking with knives or sticks but also work to hone grappling techniques. Filipino martial arts prioritize leverage, locks and control over strength, making these methods ideal for smaller officers, especially when handcuffing or restraining someone.
• Brazilian jiu-jitsu: Brazilian jiu-jitsu gives officers and safety officials a way to gain control over suspects without seriously harming them, if possible. As many Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners are ex-military or ex-police themselves, your instructor will know how to use their skills in various situations, including when negotiation is not an option. You’ll also learn grappling and ground fighting techniques for cases when you end up on the ground with your opponent.
• Judo: Founded in Japan in the late 19th century, judo emphasizes using an opponent’s strength against them and teaches efficient ways of getting people off you so you can retreat safely. These techniques make it a tremendous defensive art and an effective way to disarm someone who may possess a gun or knife.
• Japanese jujitsu: Japanese jujitsu is similar to judo in its emphasis on throwing techniques. However, this technique differs in its focus on groundwork and submission holds instead of throws alone, making it more helpful in dealing with multiple opponents.

Advantages of Learning Martial Arts for Self-Defense

Five benefits of martial arts for self-defense include:

1. Increased flexibility: Martial arts’ emphasis on flexibility makes them perfect for the physically demanding situations and jobs of a law enforcement or safety officer.
2. Improved strength: These fighting techniques help build muscle mass throughout the body. As a result, martial arts improve overall strength and endurance in preparation for situations like running down suspects or lifting objects. This increased strength can even improve morale around you.
3. Enhanced mental acuity: Martial arts require focus and concentration on physical and mental levels. By stimulating both physical and mental aspects while practicing the various techniques, you’ll find yourself more aware of how your body moves while also learning how this movement affects others around you.
4. Developed self-defense skills: Martial arts teach you how to defend yourself with and without using weapons, increasing your safety wherever you go.
5. Refined emotional control: Martial arts training helps you remain calm under pressure. When faced with an emergency situation, panic and mistakes could cause harm or cost lives. By learning to stay calm and focused in stressful situations, you’ll know how to keep your cool, even when others can’t.

Contact Brick Lanes Security Today

When it comes to security, you want the best of the best. You need a company that can help you develop a long-term strategy tailored to your needs and stand ready when you need them most. We offer customized plans designed to fit your unique requirements and keep you or your business safe from internal and external threats.

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Protecting your property and personnel is a critical aspect of hotel management. Hotel security services are a reliable and effective way to bring this protection to your establishment. Trained officers understand the importance of hotel security and can provide the services your hotel needs to deter crime and safeguard guests and staff.

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What are the Benefits of Hiring Hotel Security Guards?

Here are the different ways hiring hotel security guards can help your business.

1. Respond to Emergency Situations

A hotel security team has been trained to respond to many situations a hotel may face, such as fires, medical emergencies and theft. Officers can be a calm presence and take charge in these chaotic scenarios to keep everyone safe.

2. Prevent Property Damage

Hotels are often a target of vandalism. The presence of hotel security guards discourages vandals from following through, so you can keep your building exterior and public facilities like reception halls and conference rooms in pristine condition.

3. Protect Guests’ Possessions

Hotel guests usually keep expensive items like cell phones, laptops and jewelry in their rooms, and thieves may attempt to steal these belongings. A visible security presence reduces the chance of theft. Officers can patrol the halls to discourage lockpicking and other suspicious activity.

4. Offer Training and Guidance

Hotel security guards know how to keep a hotel safe, and they can pass this knowledge on to your staff. Security officers can train your team to count and handle money, monitor keys, deal with unruly guests, handle emergencies, evacuate the building, and more.

5. Protect Staff

Sometimes, guest behavior might make staff uncomfortable, whether the guest is acting inappropriately or threatening team members. Hotel security services provide backup for your team to diplomatically resolve disputes and protect their well-being.

6. Prevent Crimes

Many hotels are open at all hours, and some are located in isolated areas. These factors make these businesses a common target for crime. Hotel security services can patrol parking lots, parking garages, the property perimeter and hallways to deter criminal activities.

7. Monitor Entrances and Exits

Hotel security guards can be posted at the building entrance to watch traffic and stop suspicious persons. This service keeps your hotel safe by ensuring the only people on your property are those who are allowed to be there.

8. Handle Disorderly Conduct

Hotel security officers can manage and defuse disorderly conduct situations with your guests. They can prevent issues from getting out of hand.

9. Monitor Security Equipment

If your property has surveillance tools like cameras, hotel security can operate, monitor and maintain this equipment. This technology can also help security officers identify suspicious persons or situations and take action.

10. Provide a Security Presence

Most of your guests are likely not from the Colorado Springs area. Seeing security officers in your hotel can put them at ease in the unfamiliar environment. Your guests can relax knowing your hotel security has their well-being in mind. The presence of hotel security guards may also encourage future stays at your hotel.

11. Offer Special Security for VIP Guests

If your hotel hosts conferences and special events, celebrities, politicians and other well-known people may stay at your building. Hotel security officers can make your VIP guests feel protected by preventing unwanted contact and keeping suspicious persons out of the facility.

12. Identify and Correct Security Weaknesses

Hotel security guards have specialized training in protecting people and property. These skills help them notice security issues in your hotel and offer suggestions to fix these problems. Their knowledge can strengthen your hotel security.

Contact Vigilant Tiger About Hotel Security Today

Vigilant Tiger provides security services for hotels and motels in the Colorado Springs area. Our security team helps your guests and staff feel safe and comfortable.

Our hotel security officers have undergone extensive training to meet your security needs. Our staff will consult with you to create a long-term security plan tailored to your hotel’s requirements. When you partner with Vigilant Tiger, we will offer any protection your hotel needs.

Start protecting your hotel staff and guests with hotel security guards from Vigilant Tiger. Contact us online today to learn more about our security services.

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When it comes to protecting your business, employees and customers, there’s no substitute for on-site security. Hiring a security guard is the take-charge approach to managing facility safety and personal welfare that you deserve.

Maybe you’ve been researching security options. You might be saying, “Why can’t I just use a security system with live monitoring instead?”

As you compare the pros and cons of hiring a security guard to the option of using security cameras with live monitoring, you should know the advantages of surveillance by a person on-site.

1. Security Guards Discourage Crime

Using a security guard shows that you take the welfare of your business and property seriously. Statistics prove that having a physical guard on-site discourages crime. This fact is why so many establishments like banks, retail businesses and medical dispensaries use security guards as a proactive defense. Even with remote video surveillance, security systems simply record incidents as they happen, unlike an on-site security guard who can respond right away.

In some cases, your business may need access control or scanning. Your guard helps identify authorized visitors and employees and prevents dangerous items from entering your property.

Recent studies also show the public police force is experiencing a staffing shortage. Approximately 86% of public police departments nationwide are coping with staff challenges that translate into fewer resources. The more you do to proactively protect your people and property, the less likely you’ll need to rely on those resources.

2. Security Guards Can Actively Patrol Your Premises

While security systems can alert you if doors are ajar or a camera isn’t working, they can’t close doors to keep an intruder from entering or make minor repairs to a camera. In those situations, you’ll need an employee to return to the premises to fix it. Does anyone enjoy waking at 3:00 a.m. to respond to an open door alarm? Probably not.

Unlike stationary cameras, a guard can police the whole of your property at regular or random intervals to keep you free from potential harm. Guards can check that entrances and exits function correctly and that other monitoring equipment, such as fire alarms, are in working condition. Random policing makes your business a less probable mark when patrol routines are unpredictable. On-site security guards can also resolve situations with potential mischief-makers on the spot.

3. Security Guards Are People Observers

A security guard has a set of people skills that security systems don’t.

Guards train to understand the way people normally move and speak and identify suspicious behavior that can signal a crime is about to happen. When necessary, an experienced guard can also use de-escalation tactics designed to steer a situation into a calmer territory and prevent it from getting worse.

4. Security Guards Provide Helpful Assistance

While a security system monitoring service can dispatch emergency medical personnel when needed, they can’t provide treatment on the spot. On the other hand, a security guard is often certified in CPR and first aid so they can assist in a medical emergency. Getting assistance quickly and effectively can make a positive difference in outcomes for you, your workers or customers.

In the event of a fire or other urgent situation, trained security guards can help get people to safety, establish boundaries and assist first responders. When Mother Nature delivers a surprise, guards assist in securing your property and responding to events in ways cameras can’t.

Security guards also help your employees increase their productivity. Workers are free to focus on job-related tasks instead of their welfare when they’re in a safe environment. When you face the unpleasant task of terminating an employee, a security guard can facilitate that process, too. Guards can prevent property theft and destruction as well as bodily injury from an aggressive employee during the termination process.

5. Security Guards Make Technology Better

Even if you already have a security system in place, a security guard can be a valuable member of your protection team. Guards consistently monitor any cameras on the premises and respond when needed. Their on-site presence gives them an advantage over law enforcement that’s not on the scene. A recent study found a drop in crime of 18% when guards team up with traditional security system technology.

At Brick Lanes Security, Protection Is Our Profession and Our Passion

Vigilant Security is an experienced Colorado Springs business protection provider that designs long-term security plans customized to your organization’s needs. Many of our guards are former Special Forces, and they all have military experience. Our team members’ comprehensive training is unparalleled in our industry and sets Brick Lanes Security apart. You can rest assured that your investments are in the hands of our reliable professionals. When you need elite protection for your Colorado Springs property, contact our knowledgeable staff for a complete consultation.

The post Benefits of Using Security Guard Services Versus a Security System appeared first on Brick Lanes Security.

If you own or operate a business, you work hard to ensure productivity and profitability. What about physical security, though? You need a way to keep people safe from intruders, ensure product security and protect your business against monetary losses. Almost 9% of small businesses experience burglaries in a year, for instance, so preparing for and thwarting events like these is essential.

What are physical security risks, and what steps can your business take to mitigate them? The guide below will explore the benefits of physical security services, point out a few common business security mistakes and provide some tips for enhanced physical security for businesses.

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What Is Physical Security?

A few different types of security risks to organizations exist. Physical security involves protecting physical property, people and assets.

This type of security is distinct from other considerations like cybersecurity, which focuses on protecting your digital information and infrastructure. Physical security focuses on protecting things, people and places you can see and touch.

Physical security includes utilizing physical deterrents, detecting unauthorized personnel and responding effectively to their threats. It often involves keeping people, both malicious external actors and insiders, from accessing other people and assets they should not. It also entails keeping the public out of your sensitive areas and protecting employees from physical injury.

Below are a few examples of physical security measures:

• Installing locks, security cameras or alarm systems to thwart malicious individuals.
• Using bodyguards to protect high-level executives or other people experiencing a heightened threat of bodily harm.
• Hiring armed or unarmed security guards to patrol a bank or business operation.
• Stationing security guards at building entrances for access control to ensure only authorized personnel gain entry.
• Posting patrol personnel around a retail center or warehouse to minimize the threat of product loss.
• Dispatching security teams to protect a sporting contest, music festival or other public events.
• Deploying armed couriers to conduct monetary deposits safely to their destination.
• Hiring school resource officers to protect teachers and students from intruders.
• Contracting with a security company to protect a private gathering like a wedding or corporate event.

Why Is Physical Security Important?

Reliable physical security is essential for any business. Many companies today focus tremendous resources on cybersecurity, but physical security deserves equal attention. You may have the latest, most sophisticated firewalls and encryptions for your networks. But they won’t step in to help if a person gains access to your building and steals valuable merchandise, cash or the servers that contain your vital data.

Beefing up your company’s physical security offers the following advantages:

• Creates a culture of safety: You want your business to earn a reputation for being a safe, comfortable place to work. If employees fear for their physical safety, you’ll likely lose good people to high turnover, and the quality of your services will suffer.
• Ensures peace of mind for patrons: You also want your clients to feel safe when they visit your business. Providing sufficient physical security allows you to keep your customers safe so they can do business with confidence or enjoy themselves at your venue.
• Protects valuable information: Companies often keep detailed physical records as well as digital ones. Adequate physical security allows your business to deter intruders who could access sensitive files, financial documents or the physical servers containing your digital data.
• Minimizes profit loss: Your business needs ways to keep products and cash secure. Robust physical security enables you to reduce losses so you keep your business strong and profitable.

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5 Ways to Improve Physical Security

Physical security risks for businesses are more common than you might think. Below are a few tips for how to boost your physical security for a safer working environment.

1. Focus on More Than the Front Door

What are the threats to security at your business? To answer this question, you might imagine an intruder bursting through the doors in search of cash or valuable items. Too often, companies focus all their security resources and attention on the front door, leaving other entrances exposed and vulnerable. Malicious individuals can easily sneak around to an unlocked back door or window or unsecured loading dock and gain access.

Be sure to lock all windows and doors when your facility is not actively using them. Installing alarms or stationing physical guards to secure the rest of your building also helps deter threats at each entry point. Those steps provide comprehensive security to keep people and property safe.

2. Address the Potential for Internal Threats

In considering security risks to an organization, business leaders focus on external threats — intruders who could sneak through a window or shoplifters who could take products. These are important threats to mitigate, of course. Still, it’s essential to consider the potential for internal threats, as well.

Be sure to vet new employees as thoroughly as you can, and try to use two-person systems for handling products and cash. You might also consider limiting the number of keys you hand out to employees and using video monitoring systems in high-value product areas to prevent loss.

3. Diversify Your Security Measures

One of the best ways to increase security at your business is to diversify the systems you use to protect it. Maybe your company has a security camera system but some areas of your facility get little to no coverage. Or maybe you have an alarm system but no way to monitor your property directly.

Using overlapping systems helps you provide more comprehensive security coverage to deter intruders. For instance, consider supplementing your alarm system or security cameras with armed or unarmed personnel who can provide on-the-ground surveillance and react quickly if needed.

4. Invest in Building Security Features

Guards and monitoring systems are effective defenses against intruders. Still, it’s often more advantageous to keep external threats from breaching your business in the first place.

Investing in security features for your building is often an ideal solution in high-threat areas. Bulletproof glass, steel doors and heavy-duty safes are all useful, for instance, in areas that store currency and other valuables.

5. Protect Valuables in Transit

Sometimes, businesses take care to secure their buildings but provide little protection for valuables that leave the premises. This gap in protection creates an opening for thieves to access your valuable products or monetary deposits as you transport them.

If you’re investing in security personnel for your physical location, consider hiring armed couriers, as well. These security details can escort your valuables off-site and secure them from external threats during transit.

Contact Vigilant Tiger for Physical Security Services Today

When you need to increase physical security risk management at your business, get in touch with Vigilant Tiger. We offer professional services, event services and personal and private security, so you’ll have access to highly trained professionals no matter what level of protection you need. Our reliable, professional teams in Colorado Springs are happy to work with you to secure your premises and make clients, executives and employees feel safe.

Contact us today to schedule security services or learn more about how we can provide local, effective protection for all your security needs.

The post 5 Security Mistakes Your Business Might Be Guilty of Making appeared first on Brick Lanes Security.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed businesses and individuals in ways that might have previously seemed unimaginable. Among those changes are new company rules and regulations, such as requiring people to wear masks. Although initially discouraged, mask-wearing has become the norm, as it’s been shown to help reduce the spread of the virus. As a result, many states, including Colorado, issued mandates that require people to wear masks in public places.

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Mask mandates and other COVID-19 related regulations have affected the way companies protect themselves. In addition to using security guards to protect against theft and loss and de-escalate complicated situations, many companies are finding that their security teams are also useful for enforcing mask requirements in Colorado and elsewhere. Security guards can also encourage compliance with employee temperature checks and screenings.

How COVID-19 Is Affecting Business Security

Before COVID-19, many customers visiting a business might not have paid much attention to the security guards stationed at the entrance. Customers might have nodded or smiled as they passed a guard on their way into an establishment, but unless there was a significant problem, such as a person shoplifting or harassing another customer or staff member, the security guard was often a background figure. They were there to keep people and companies safe, but usually had little direct interaction with customers.

During the pandemic, many security guards have found that their roles have changed. They are now front and center and often have to interact directly with visitors. They might screen employees’ and customers’ temperatures at the door, refuse entry to people who aren’t masked or enforce occupancy limits.

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In some cases, the requirements have been a challenge. Some customers have behaved in ways they usually wouldn’t, in part due to pandemic-induced stress and confusion or fear of the new policies. There have been reports of customers physically harming security guards at stores for seemingly small issues, such as being asked to wait outside the store until a certain number of shoppers leave or being asked to wear a mask.

One positive change within the security sector as a result of the pandemic is that the need for guards has increased. As 40 million people have lost their jobs and many industries are struggling to stay afloat, the security sector has seen an uptick in openings and opportunities. Stores large and small have hired more guards or employed guards for the first time because of mandates and new policies.

Enforcing Mask Policies

The state of Colorado is one of several to enact a mask-wearing mandate. As of July 16, 2020, people aged 11 and older need to wear a covering over their mouths and noses when they are going into or moving about an indoor public space. A face covering is also required when they are waiting to use or are using public or shared transportation. So far, many people have complied with the new mandate, although some have not.

Business owners in Colorado have wondered what they can do to protect their staff and effectively de-escalate a situation where a customer refuses to put on a mask or leave the premises. There is also the question of what to do when a shopper tries to enter the store without a mask simply because they do not have one.

Some retailers, particularly big-box stores such as Target and Home Depot, have said that they will give free masks to customers if necessary. Another tactic retailers and businesses are using is to hang up signs and notifications to remind people to wear a mask and stress the importance of doing so. In some cases, the signs suggest other options such as online ordering or curbside pickup if customers do not want to wear a mask.

As far as enforcing mask-wearing goes, the approaches taken by retailers have varied. Some have decided on a hands-off approach, trusting that customers will police themselves and wear the masks because it is the right thing to do under the circumstances. Others have enlisted current employees to act as “mask ambassadors” to enforce the policies. A third option is for companies to hire trained security guards to ensure people are abiding by the mask mandate, taking the pressure off of existing employees.

Employee Temperature Screening

Another practice many companies have adopted is taking employees’ — and in some cases, clients’ and customers’ — temperatures before they can enter a building. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) allows employers to take their employees’ temperatures during a pandemic. Any health information collected, including the thermometer reading, is kept confidential.

Staff temperature checks are allowed by the ADA during a pandemic and are also encouraged or required in some states. Colorado encourages workplaces to implement coronavirus temperature screenings and symptom monitoring protocols, for example.

There are a few ways to handle the process of checking people’s temperatures or monitoring systems. Employee temperature checks are another task that security guards can perform at your business. Guards can use no-contact digital thermometers to take people’s temperatures. If an employee or customer does have a fever — a temperature over 100.4 degrees — the guard can ask them to return home. Guards can inform supervisors about any employees who are turned away because their temperature is too high.

Since the people responsible for manning temperature check stations have an above-average risk for virus exposure, they must be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including face coverings, gloves and goggles. Guards should also remove and replace PPE frequently throughout the day and sanitize their hands often.

How Vigilant Tiger Can Help

In the middle of the pandemic, your employees already have a lot on their plate, whether they are essential workers or people just beginning to return to the office after working from home for months. Vigilant Tiger, a security company based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, can relieve some of the burdens and pressures on your team.

Our trained guards can ensure that visitors to your company comply with local mask mandates, and they can also defuse any tense situations that may arise. Your staff will be better able to focus on their most pressing responsibilities and tasks rather than debating with customers.

We’ve been taking the pandemic seriously and recognize that it creates new challenges for businesses of all kinds. When you work with us, we offer employee screening and mask-wearing enforcement at no extra cost. We’ll even provide a no-contact thermometer for our guards to use during temperature checks.

We also take the health and safety of our team members and your employees and customers seriously. Our guards receive PPE such as masks and gloves. We also offer COVID tests to each member of our team monthly and require any guards who show symptoms to quarantine for 14 days. If you’re interested in employing our services for your business, contact us today to learn more.

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Divorce may mean the beginning of a new life, but for those leaving abusive relationships, it can be a time of potential danger. Even a spouse who has never resorted to physical violence may find the divorce is the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Unfortunately, in these cases, it’s up to the victim of domestic abuse to protect themselves and their children from a potentially violent ex.

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5 Ways to Stay Safe During a Divorce or Domestic Dispute

Regardless of whether your divorce is amicable or not, the following steps are recommended to ensure everyone’s well-being and safety:

1. Safeguard Important Documents

Things like passports, social security numbers and mortgages should be kept in a safe, neutral place. You should also make copies of these documents and keep them safe in a different place.

If you’re leaving an abusive situation, it’s even more important to keep your documents safe and easily accessible to you and the people you trust. If you have a will, make sure to update it and remove your ex if they are listed as a beneficiary. Any mementos or valuable items should also be safely stored where your spouse cannot get to them.

2. Cancel Joint Cards or Accounts

If you and your spouse had joined cards, be sure to cancel them to prevent any malicious activity that may affect your credit score. If you shared bank accounts as well, it’s best to close them down as well.

For those leaving abusive relationships, it’s recommended that you close even your individual accounts and reopen them at a different bank to keep from being found by a violent ex-spouse.

3. Get the Law on Your Side

Hire an attorney to help you deal with the potential complications of divorce, and be sure to refer to them before you sign anything at all. Your lawyer will be able to help you understand your rights and will help you find the best ways to keep you and your children safe and prepared for a new start.

4. Speak Out About Your Divorce

When it comes to protecting yourself during a divorce, speaking out is one of the best ways to ensure your safety. This is especially relevant if you’re leaving an abusive relationship because you will want all the support you can get — people can’t support you if you don’t tell them what’s going on.

It’s also a great way to maintain your privacy. When your neighbors, friends and coworkers know that you and your ex are no longer living together, they will be able to spot red flags, like if your ex is going through your mail or shows up at your workplace.

5. Attend Therapy or Counseling

Recognize that you are not alone and that you are not at fault for leaving an unsafe situation. Therapy and counseling will allow you to acknowledge your feelings and work through them in a productive way. It may also help you meet like-minded people who are familiar with your experience.

How to Protect Yourself From Domestic Abuse

In a perfect world, you wouldn’t need to learn how to protect yourself from domestic violence, but unfortunately, the reality is that there are things everyone should know in order to keep themselves and their children safe.

When leaving an abusive relationship, it can be even more frightening because you have to make a new life for yourself while still figuring out how to deal with a violent ex-spouse. Here are some tips to protect yourself:

• Get a restraining order: If you fear for your safety and well-being, consider taking out a restraining order against your ex-spouse. Give a copy to trusted neighbors, your employers and your children’s school administration, along with a photo of your ex-spouse to make sure they don’t violate the order.
• Have an exit plan: If you’re still residing with your abuser, have an emergency exit plan that you can put into action as soon as you need it. Make sure your kids and any trusted loved ones know of the plan as well.
• Break from routine: Change up the routes you take when taking the kids to school or going to work so your ex-spouse is not able to easily find you. Consider changing the times you go to the gym or alternate between walking, driving and using public transit when possible.
• Keep records: Note down any acts of violence from your ex-spouse as well as any threats. If possible, keep photos showing physical abuse — all of this will help strengthen your case.
• Change your locks: If you’re living in the same home you shared with your abuser, change the locks to prevent them from re-entering. If you’ve moved, consider using a post office box for your mail and only give out your new address when absolutely necessary. Similarly, you want to get a new phone number and only reveal it to trusted individuals.

How to Prepare for a High-Conflict Divorce

Divorce is never easy or fun, but it can be even more stressful when it’s a high-conflict divorce. But how should you prepare for a divorce?

• Don’t tell your spouse you’re leaving: Keep things to yourself and share only with your lawyer and select, trusted individuals. Knowing that you are planning to leave them can sometimes trigger or escalate violence from the abuser.
• Reach out to authorities: If you have been threatened or physically hurt, file a report with the police if you can. If you end up going to a hospital, ask that your visit be documented, so there is a paper trail to support your claims.
• Never meet your ex-spouse alone: For whatever reason, your ex-spouse may ask you to meet to talk to them about the divorce. Should you decide to meet them, avoid doing it alone. Ask a trusted loved one to accompany you and always insist on meeting in a public place with lots of people around.

How Do You Protect Yourself Before a Divorce?

There are many resources available for people who are ready to leave abusive relationships. That seemingly simple step is extremely difficult and requires tons of support.

If you’re ready to live life without fear, consider reaching out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. You can also gain information and resources from the National Center for Domestic and Sexual Violence.

If you’re in the Colorado Springs area, speak to professionals at TESSA using their safe line at 719-633-3819.

Contact Brick Lanes Security for Help

At Vigilant Tiger, we understand the importance of feeling safe, especially after leaving an abusive relationship. We provide private security with empathy, dignity and professionalism. With ex-military staff who are fit, trained and respectful, Vigilant Tiger provides whatever type of security you need, including bodyguards and armed security guards.

Get in touch by calling (302) 602-4874, and get some peace of mind right away.

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