Written by Eyal Ben-Shir
“The cost of non-compliance is great. If you think compliance is expensive, try non-compliance.” former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty
With the current economic climate and the need for all types of security growing rapidly, clients are asking the fundamental question, do we need the services of a compliant security company? This blog post will look to clarify what compliance is in this growing industry and the advantages of teaming up with a compliant security company. We will investigate the ramifications of noncompliance and how it can develop with harmful effect. This is vital to investigate as the threat of crime looms large and it is up to each stakeholder to understand the preventative measures one should take to mitigate this.
The Goal of the Security Industry
“Prepare and prevent, don’t repair and repent.” – Anon
Everyone in the security has a duty and responsibility to provide safety and peace of mind to their customers and the communities they serve. No matter what the position or title conferred on any security professional, security companies should adhere to the overarching mission of protecting people’s lives, properties, and information. To battle the complex nature of crime, we need to possess clarity of the overall mission to guide us better. Breaking this complexity down to this fundamental principle allows us to understand the finer nuances and prepare for the tasks needed to achieve the overarching mission of safety and security for all. Better decisions lead to better actions which develop into better results in the long term.
Proactivity and Compliance
“You have to think a little smarter, be proactive, not reactive.” – Frank Abagnale
Proactivity in the security industry involves understanding and committing to compliance. Compliance is generally defined as the obeying of a particular law or rule, or of acting according to an agreement. Compliance in the security industry is paramount to improving employee satisfaction levels and improved security awareness levels. If we do not follow the compliance standards or measurements, then we cannot hold ourselves up to rate our security efforts honestly and realistically. According to the Private Security Industry Regulation Act (Act 56 of 2001), the purpose of the regulation is to regulate private security in South Africa. Furthermore, the basic objective is to create a trustworthy, legitimate, and competent private security industry for all.
Non-compliance to this code of conduct may result in the imposition of fines, suspension, or withdrawal. This act and code of conduct indicate the minimum wages payable, Sunday premium, sick leave, annual leave, study leave, family responsibility leave, provident fund, annual bonus, and night shift allowance. These regulations stipulate other statutory payments such as UIF, COID, Training, Uniform, and cleaning allowances. If we do not follow these crucial requirements, we are circumventing the minimum standards which may have a deleterious impact on the emotional, psychological, and financial aspects of security employees and companies.
Examples of this can lead to minimal or poor training, inadequate salaries, unfair compensation, no time off to recuperate, financial penalties, or jail time. Security officers who have no off time or work for fly-by-night companies may be disgruntled with their employers and their standard of performance may rapidly disintegrate in criminal activity or collusion on the sites at which they work. Impaired performance may reduce levels of vigilance, observation, and awareness. This is not what clients deserve or need at their sites. Instead of inviting more problems in, we need to mitigate and eliminate these risks before they can occur in the first place.
Pricing to Ensure Compliance
“Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.” – Henry Ford
Safety and peace of mind require the strictest of standards and if we want to engage with a compliant security company, then the service pricing may be higher. However, we cannot compromise on security standards and by trying to pay less for this, clients can fall into the trap of lacklustre service delivery and innumerable potential issues. Compliance and regulations do change fairly frequently but it is up to the security providers to keep abreast of all these developments. Ethics falls into the domain of professional standards and the security industry needs to constantly treat all members of staff with dignity, integrity, and respect.
Pricing is a persistent concern due to the current economic climate in South Africa and worldwide due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. We live in uncertain times nevertheless security is essential to improving the quality of life for all. If we take shortcuts with ensuring our safety, then we can encounter disastrous outcomes and further financial losses. A worthwhile investment in security accumulates to better loss prevention, avoiding and detecting criminal activity before it reaches our doorsteps, and having happier staff overall.
To render a quality security service, adhering to strict compliance regulations will improve the security efforts required for a safer society in totality. Compliance is vital to the security industry, and we need to heed this urgent call for compliance. Mantis Security is fully compliant with the PSIRA Act, is a member of the Security Association of South Africa (SASA) and adheres to all fair business practices. If you are interested in upgrading your security solutions or having one of our knowledgeable staff discuss an integrated solution of guarding and technology for you, look no further than the leading contract guarding specialists in South Africa, Mantis Security. We can conduct a free risk assessment on your property, business, or establishment. Our related services also include employee vetting and screening.
Put Security in Trusted Hands with Mantis Security, call us today,
Johannesburg: 0861 101 000
Pretoria: 0861 101 000
For more information visit our website – https://www.mantissecurity.co.za/