Technology - July 2007

How Secure is Your Security Company?

Protecting Your Business

by Rex Verley

What are the reasons for installing a security alarm system at your business location? Is it to protect important business documents from outside theft, protect equipment from being stolen, or to protect your business from internal employee theft? The most common answer is the latter. It is often the people closest to the business who are the most threatening to its success.

We put a lot of trust into our security company. Therefore, it is important that both the security company and its employees meet the proper licensing requirements to conduct business in Las Vegas. All security alarm companies doing business in Clark County, Las Vegas and Henderson are required to be bonded and obtain a privileged business license in addition to their contractor’s business license.

More than half of the security alarm companies operating in the Valley do not carry a privileged business license. Additionally, some security alarm companies use smaller subcontractors, which would also require both the security alarm company and the subcontractor to carry the same privileged business license – and often neither does.

In actuality, it is quite difficult for a security alarm company to obtain a privileged business license. A number of steps and application procedures must be followed, including submitting a 20-year history of employment and places of residence for the security alarm company’s principal owner.

Furthermore, the sheriff requires a full set of fingerprints, photographs and an investigation into the principal’s character, reputation and integrity before recommending the security alarm company to the director of Business License. At that time, the recommendation goes to the Board of County Commissioners, who then award the privileged business license based on the fact that the principal has never committed a felony or two or more misdemeanors involving moral turpitude. Specific employee regulations must also be followed. It is mandatory that each employee carry a registered sheriff’s work card, which requires both a background check and fingerprinting prior to being issued.

Once the licensing has been researched, ask about the company’s additional operational procedures designed to keep your security alarm information protected. This includes inquiring about the employees who are installing the system’s equipment. Does the company require employees to obtain a sheriff’s work card? Does the monitoring center follow employee background-check procedures? How does your security alarm company handle its important documents and archiving processes?

It is important to examine these procedures. Think of all of the sensitive material that encompasses your security contract: name, address, phone number, not to mention the “all-clear-password.” Who is handling this information and where is the documentation kept?

Security systems are meant to add protection to your business and your home. Like the weakest link, a security alarm system is only as good as the company that installs and monitors the system. Research your security alarm company and be sure that you are giving your business and home the protection they deserve.

Rex Verley
Rex Verley is president of NextGen Integrated Solutions, specializes in security, surveillance and fire alarm systems.