80% of businesses prefer to outsource security services, research shows

The professionalism of staff and getting suppliers to deliver on contractual promises were the biggest priorities cited by businesses who outsource security services, new research has revealed.

Conducted by facility services specialist Grosvenor Services the study also showed that four in five firms (80%) preferred to outsource security functions than use an in-house team.

Half favoured providers that specialise solely in security because of what could be described as the ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ perception.

Thirty percent of those surveyed – which included security and facilities managers plus other buyers of security services – said they would prefer to buy security services as part of a bundled ‘FM’ contract. Also offfering cleaning, grounds maintenance and other facilities management services a bundled contract appealed primarily because of the convenience of having a single point of contact for building management services.

New technology and the need for increased levels of security have raised the bar in terms of service delivery requirements.” Bernard McCauley, group MD, Grosvenor Services

“Organisations looking to outsource need to be confident that the supplier they’ve selected has the expertise and innovation to meet ever changing security needs in a professional manner,” said Bernard McCauley, group managing director o Grosvenor Services, which also owns Charter Security.

“Developments, including the application of new technology and the need for increased levels of security, have raised the bar in terms of service delivery requirements.

“It is now time to re-educate the marketplace about how much more a modern, professional security services provider can deliver, whether a stand-alone specialist or a full facilities services company.”

Magenta Security MD Abbey Petkar argued recently that businesses are more likely to get the high level of professionalism they seek if they eschew security firms who employ staff on zero-hours contracts.

The security and facilities managers surveyed were primarily from London-based commercial offices and construction companies with more than 100 employees.

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