Movies like Once a Thief, How to Steal a Million, Ocean's 8, The Maiden Heist and The Thomas Crown Affair and series like Lupin all revolve around one thing: a major art theft. In addition to films and series, this subject also comes back in many books. So an art theft is very exciting and entertaining when it's fiction, but how do you make sure it stays fiction? The answer to that is: museum security. What exactly museum security is, you can read here.
Museum security: more than just object security
The above-mentioned films and series always involve stealing valuable objects, such as world-famous paintings or expensive jewellery. However, in a museum you not only have to deal with valuable objects, but also with staff and visitors. That makes museum security also so interesting: it actually includes several forms of security in one.
Duties of a museum security guard
Museum security guards therefore have different tasks. Depending on the size of the museum and the level of risk, the following tasks can be performed by the same or by separate specialized security guards:
Object security
An important part of museum security is natural object security. This concerns securing the valuable objects on display or stored in the warehouse. Object security in museums is a profession in itself, because you want to show the object properly and give visitors 'access' to the object. At the same time, you also want to protect it against damage, theft and destruction. Regular fire and closing rounds must also ensure that damage to the building and/or the valuable objects does not occur.
Reception services, access control and visitor registration
Many museums work with museum security guards front desk. These security guards are there to welcome visitors, to register them and to keep uninvited guests out.
Security of staff and visitors
Museum security guards are not only responsible for the protection of the valuable objects in the museum. They also deal with the security of staff who works in the museum. Finally, the visitor safety a priority for museum security officers, of course. Museum security guards provide assistance in the event of accidents, intervene in conflicts and help visitors if necessary.
Structural and electronic security and fire prevention
Many museums use physical security just often not enough. Particularly in the larger museums, where very valuable objects are stored, in addition to physical security, security must also be used architectural and electronic security to prevent damage, destruction and theft. In addition, a museum must of course take into account fire prevention.
Would you like to know more about securing a museum?
Want to know more about museum security from Dutch Crowd Security† Then read this article or contact contact us for more information. We can help you with physical security and advice in the field of electronic security and fire prevention.