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Proactive Security: Explanation And Implementation

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Securing shops, construction sites, port areas and the like is often done by means of an electronic security system. For example, a security camera or alarm system is used that is forwarded to an emergency center. This electronic security is only aimed at resolving conflicts afterwards. Proactive protection, on the other hand, is a preventive way of protection, which eliminates the conflicts completely. Read in this blog how it works exactly and what the power of proactive security is.

What is Proactive Security?

Sometimes we find out that a certain security measure works better in theory than in practice. We only find out when things go wrong. For example, think of terrorist attacks, where all kinds of security measures are taken afterwards to prevent it from happening again. If we remove that 'happens again' and focus on prevention, we are at the essence of proactive security. This is about preventing conflicts, from large to small. This way of securing includes the following benefits:

  • The intervention goes unnoticed by the general public
  • Very customer and visitor friendly
  • Intervene before a conflict arises
  • Provides a good and safe atmosphere
  • Widely applicable

Prevent conflicts

In many cases, applying proactive security ensures that a conflict is prevented without the general public noticing. In fact, in some cases even the protection officer is not sure that the potential perpetrator would actually have taken action. Because proactive security is done in a very social way, a calm and friendly atmosphere is created. This makes visitors feel both safe and welcome. The proactive security method is easy to learn for every security officer and applicable in every area: from store security en healthcare security to personal security.

The power of proactive security

The power of proactive security lies in the preparation and empathy of the protection officer. By making good preparations and using empathy, the security guards are always one step ahead of the potential threat. Before the security process starts, it is important for the security officer to map out the situation. This is usually done by asking three questions:

  1. Who or what needs to be protected?
  2. Who or what could pose a threat to this?
  3. How does the potential threat work?

These three questions can be answered through thorough research, (human) knowledge, experience and empathy.

How proactive security works

The aim of proactive security is to carry out a threat assessment with regard to a person or situation. The threat assessment starts with behavior detection: observing behaviour, paying attention to deviant behaviour. Thorough preparation comes back here, because security guards must be aware of the standard behavior in the specific situation. In addition, because of the above questions, they should also be aware of the conduct of potential perpetrators, the modus operandi.

Modus Operandi

Modus operandi is the way criminals operate. Security guards are constantly informed about this. It is then up to them to determine whether there is a relationship between someone's deviant behavior and the modus operandi. If not, there is no threat. If this is the case, then there is a threat. In that case, the security guard switches to security questioning: entering into a conversation with the person in question. The purpose of such a conversation is to get a logical explanation for the deviant behavior. As soon as it becomes clear that there is a good reason behind the behavior, the threat is debunked. If the protection officer does not receive a clear explanation for the deviant behavior or if the person shows deviant behavior again, there is a threat. At that moment, the protection officer takes action to prevent a conflict from arising.

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