When Are Armed Security Guards Needed?
Armed Security Is a Risk-Based Decision
Frank Costa, President, Nexgen Protection Services
When should an organization consider armed security?
The answer begins with a professional risk assessment—not assumptions or appearances.
Factors may include credible threats, the nature of the assets being protected, the operating environment, previous incidents, and the potential consequences of a security failure.
Armed personnel may be appropriate in certain higher-risk settings, but the decision requires careful evaluation of legal requirements, licensing, training, use-of-force policies, liability, and coordination with local law enforcement.
In some environments, unarmed officers, access controls, surveillance, and improved procedures may provide a more appropriate solution.
The right security plan matches the level of protection to the actual risk.
Hashtags: #ArmedSecurity #SecurityRiskAssessment #ProtectiveServices #RiskManagement #SecurityPlanning
APA reference
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Workplace violence. https://www.osha.gov/index.php/workplace-violence




