Corporate campuses, shopping centers, industrial parks, and office buildings are high-value assets that come with an abundance of data and human resources. Securing these spaces from theft, vandalism, and unrestricted access is essential to any business seeking sustainability and safety. One job that is particularly important when creating a safe, functioning workplace (and one that may go unnoticed) is hiring security guards. Security guards are essential for keeping the peace and making sure employees and visitors all feel safe, as well as defending the property itself.

Access Control
Gone are the days when one would hire security guards in commercial properties purely for preventing unauthorized access. There are some restricted areas for commercial buildings, and only a few employees can enter in them, like data centers, high-value equipment storage places, and executive offices. This includes security guards monitoring entry points, vetting authorizations, and patrolling the site to ensure that only people with valid clearances can gain access to relevant areas. They are trained to detect and respond to suspicious behavior. By patrolling the premises, watching surveillance cameras, or being a presence at entrances and exits, they act as a visible obstacle to anyone trying to gain access unlawfully, initially acting as deterrence.

Deter Crime
One of the most significant advantages of having a security guard is deterrence against criminal activity being committed. Security guards present at the scene of an incident are shown to cut crime levels such as vandalism, burglary, and theft according to the National Institute of Justice. Criminals are much less likely to choose a place when there is security walking around the premises. Security guards are basically trained to SOR (see, observe and report), but they also have the power to stop in case there is any suspicion of illegal behavior. When a crime is occurring, they are frequently the first ones contacted for immediate solutions, and that contact can lead to follow-up with law enforcement.

Answering Emergencies
When bulky, like a fire or medical event or other unforeseen spot of danger—this is the role of security service. Often trained in first aid, fire safety, and crowd control, they are able to quickly respond to issues and assist those who need help. For instance, during a fire, security guards can be instrumental in helping everyone exit the building and keeping track of who has exited. Additionally, in the case of a medical emergency like a heart attack or trauma situation, security guards are among the first to attend. Most security professionals come with basic medical training that helps them administer first aid and stabilize individuals until emergency medical services arrive.

Surveillance and Technology
Security guards who work to maintain safety in a commercial property often now use several forms of surveillance as well as technology to help their work be more efficient and effective. Modern security protocols include surveillance systems like CCTV cameras, alarm systems, and access control mechanisms. These systems are monitored by security guards who intervene when there is any suspicious or unusual behavior. Yet technology on its own can never fill the role of humans in security. Automated systems can identify irregular activities, however, only the trained personnel on site are able to review the situation and activate a response based on awareness. Commercial properties are usually secured with a mix of human-based and high-tech protection elements within an overall security strategy.

Enforcing Company Policies
Policies are Assisted with Guards who enforce many company policies outside their general security roles. If, for example, an office building is no-smoking, security will enforce this. Likewise, they may track restricted area usage, making sure employees are following internal policies. It is an added layer of supervision to ensure the property environment remains safe, efficient, and compliant with company standards.
Improving Customer and Employee Safety
Security guards are not only for protecting property but also to protect the people inside the assigned area. It is no surprise for employees to have better morale and significantly increase their productivity when they see people literally keeping them safe. There is peace of mind for visitors, clients, and others when they know trained people are looking after the property. Shopping malls, for instance, use security guards to do double-duty as customer service agents. They give directions, aid lost visitors, and provide a comforting presence when it is overcrowded or becomes stressful.

Defending Against External Hazards
The face of external threats to commercial real estate has changed. The exposure for companies is broader than tangible risks such as theft or vandalism; a company now needs to account for digital threats, protests, and workplace violence. A good security guard is also trained to recognize these new threats and know how to react accordingly. In the event an office opens its doors to a recently terminated employee who harbors ill will against it—security guards are put into place as the initial point of contact with that type of threat. Access and behavior can be managed, looked at, and they will very likely see beforehand if something is out of the ordinary!

Culture of Safety
A few key benefits of having security guards on your commercial property is the culture they can establish. When employees know that there are security guards in the building, people walking around are less likely to take themselves seriously. This culture of safety does not stop at crime prevention but also leads to the practice of strict safety measures such as ensuring there are emergency exits, a regular schedule on fire drills, and even safe practices in hazardous environments like working inside warehouses. For example, they deploy security guards to help control the crowd during protests of labor disputes. Their perception for touch, talk, and handle conditions is extraordinary.

Conclusion
Security guards have many duties to fulfill in commercial properties. In addition to deterrence, response, and enforcement of company policies, security personnel help maintain a safe, effective, and secure environment. Although having security guards on your commercial property may seem like a precaution in this day and age, there is no doubt that it is a necessity—the type of threat with which you have to deal can vary so greatly when you are tasked with maintaining different types of commercial properties. Depending on how businesses adapt, security staff can continue to play a role in commercial property operations. Combine that with the efficacy of human personnel working in tandem with technology, and you get a role as pivotal to maintaining both safety of people and protecting property as security guards are today in the contemporary commercial environment.