security should embrace technology

security should embrace technology

Technology is sometimes seen as the enemy, a big change or perhaps even competition to mankind. We spoke with Eddie Sorrells, COO for DSI Security Services about the positive effects of technology in the security world.

The tipping off point for the interview was an old article Eddie re-posted on his LinkedIn. I found it interesting because the idea of how cameras are placed and monitored is still one of the most common areas of concern in risk assessments. From dummy cameras to footage no one is watching…Eddie talks about how prevalent that problem is and what we are seeing years removed from that article. Eddies says currently 70 million cameras are up in the U.S., that number increasing daily.

Eddie discussed more convenient ways to monitor footage and integrate autonomous responses. Listen to Eddie’s interview for more on how the security industry should be embracing the newest and latest technology, as it will be the key to safety.

Continue to visit our website for more videos like this one, or if you have an area of interest you’d like to speak to, email natasha@premierrisksolutions.com.

security should embrace technology

Empathy through the human connection in the workplace

In this week’s edition of “Strong, Safe & True,” we sit down with Minette Norman. Norman spent 30 years in the software industry but now she spends her time helping companies lead with empathy, encouraging diversity and inclusion. We talked to her about safety and security, both physical and psychological.

Minette spoke about the importance of human connection in the workplace. She points out that not only does it fulfill an emotional need for employees, but having those relationships truly helps solve the hard problems that arise for businesses. It also leads to higher productivity and lower turnover.

When you can create solid, safe workplaces in an emotional capacity, it can lead to stronger physical safety. Most domestic violence cases against women happen at the workplace, but because women fear being seen as bringing drama or problems with them, won’t open up to employers or coworkers. If people feel safe and protected at work, they would be more likely to share threats. That way, an employer could help guard their well-being.

Listen to the video to hear Minette talk about the importance of inclusion and diversity. Come back to our website for more videos like this one.

security should embrace technology

Maintained Client relationships provide new opportunities

In any business, servicing clients properly and maintaining client relationships is key to success. PRS was recently approached by a publication to weigh in on one of our clients and our quotes will be included in the print version of this article. In the meantime, we are throwing the spotlight on Brad Minnis, Juniper’s Vice President of Environment, Health Safety & Security. We are honored to have been working with Brad for years.

Brad Minnis Keeps Silicon Valley Safe – American Builders Quarterly

Check out Mike’s thoughts on successfully servicing client relationships over the years. Continue to watch videos on our website for more videos like this one!

Fighting Human Trafficking in the Puget Sound Area

Fighting Human Trafficking in the Puget Sound Area

Children’s bodies being sold. This is not a new topic, however, with the lack of resources and ever evolving technology, putting human traffickers behind bars has become even more challenging. We sat down with Detective Sgt. Brandon James of the Seattle Police Department and Jim Fuda of Crime Stoppers to talk about the issue.

To lend perspective, 1 in 25 children will be solicited for sex online. That was a 2017 pre-pandemic study, so Fuda suspects that number is even higher. Think of the level or resources it takes to try to combat that amount of predators. We are seeing the trickle down effect of vaccine mandates and the labor shortage across our country, including in the security world. The Seattle Police Department is also seeing that. The number of investigators they have, just fell and the job is already more demanding because of new technology. Calls come in all the time about incidents involving exploited children. One of the more recent, elementary school kids who sent inappropriate pictures through apps. What concerns both James and Fuda, is the ongoing lack of awareness of the danger that lurks online.

James often has to parent the parents, explaining that a child does not have a right to privacy on a device. We preach stranger danger, but he reminds us all that when we allow a child to speak with strangers online, we are inviting into our homes. It is the same thing. Children need to realize just because someone says they’re 12 years old, doesn’t make it true.

The hard part is once these children are targeted, the grooming begins. It starts innocently enough, questions like, what’s your favorite hobby, do you have a dog, what kind of music do you like. Then the perpetrator finds out details, like where the child goes to school and uses them. It goes from asking for pictures of a puppy, to the child’s “pretty face” and the decline progresses. Then if the child wants to tell, sometimes they can’t because of fear. Predators will threaten harming loved ones. Once inappropriate pictures are out there, there’s no way for them not to be. The bottom line is parents should be monitoring everything online, especially video chats. It is very hard to recover evidence from chats.

It’s also important to get tip lines out there! You can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 or cybertipline.org. Someone can also reach out to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or by using the P3Tips mobile app.

Click on the video to see the interview and learn more valuable information to help keeps kids safe! Visit our website for more videos just like this one!

Executive Protection: An International Assignment Case Study

Executive Protection: An International Assignment Case Study

The Client: In this executive protection case study example, PRS assisted a Fortune 500 high tech company based in the USA during business travel to Lagos, Nigeria during the fuel crisis in Western Africa.

The Situation: The client had 2 of their senior executives flying into Lagos, Nigeria in late May
2015 to attend several high-level business meetings around town in various locations and at
various times throughout a 3-day period. The travelers were new to the region and unfamiliar
with the surroundings and risks day-to-day in such logistics moving in & around the city.

The Solution: The local PRS private security services partner in Nigeria has vast resources
and experience operating day-to-day in country. PRS deployed 1 security driver and 1 close
protection officer (armed, concealed, plain-clothes) to escort the business travelers for the
duration of their stay. The PRS EP team put together a travel management plan in advance
of the travelers’ arrivals and shared the plan with them via email to best prepare &
familiarize the travelers with the EP team as well as rough expectations. The EP team met
the travelers outside baggage claim at the airport, greeting them with a hand-held sign that
was somewhat innocuous in name (actual names of individuals nor the company name were
not utilized), and escorted them to their hotel and other meetings around town for the
duration of their stay. The PRS partner has their own fuel storage cells that are private so
the fuel shortage that was occurring in Nigeria at the time of their travel did not impact the
business travelers schedule or routine. The travelers were returned to the airport without
incident.

The Result: The client executives had productive meetings while visiting for business
that were uninterrupted, on-time, reliable and professional allowing for the maximum
efficiency of the use of their time.

“Alex and team were timeous, and flexible as the
itinerary changed a lot due to the fuel crisis in
Nigeria last week. I was also impressed that they
were able to keep their vehicles going as they
apparently had private fuel reserves at their
premises. Thanks again for organizing.”

Juniper Networks

“Everything went perfect thanks. Alex and his
crew gave us great hospitality, and operated in
a professional manner.”

Juniper Networks

Premier Risk Solutions provides the best in class global protective, consultative and investigative solutions for organizations to adapt to evolving business objectives and allow for scalability and agility. Through partnerships and strategic alliances, PRS offers support in 65 different countries. Our clients consistently tell us that our solutions are a cut above the competition. We foster a collaborative relationship with clients and vendors leading to the most successful service execution for all parties involved. We strive for each and every service no matter how small or large to have the best customer service experience possible. At PRS you will feel you are working with a partner who has your organizational brand and integrity in-mind.

Case Study: May Day Protest Activities Problem & Solution 2015

Case Study: May Day Protest Activities Problem & Solution 2015

The Client: In this case study example, PRS assisted a Fortune 500 financial services company
during the May Day (International Workers’ Day; May 1st 2015) Protests in Seattle, WA USA.

The Situation: Historically the May Day Protests in Seattle have experienced violence and
rioting that have targeted capitalistic organizations. Many businesses in the downtown
corridor of Seattle have recently decided to shut down operations early in the day on May 1st
each calendar year in order to avoid life safety & security-related issues. Much property
damage has been known to occur during the protests that turn into riots as the day turns into
night. The client themselves have experienced significant property damage in years past.
The client desires optimal business operations during this day that will cause the least amount
of interruption to their customers and employees.

The Solution: PRS deployed 7 agents from its private security services pool at various times
throughout the course of the business day to cover higher-risk locations where protest
activity has been known to occur. PRS also implemented a dedicated project manager to
work alongside the client to monitor all social media activity related to protests and anarchist
activities to keep deployed agents situationally aware of the protestor movement. Further, 2 of
the 7 agents were on foot patrol and dressed to blend into the crowd to appear as
protestors to feedback “real-time” info on observations, activities, threats, etc to provide
enhanced situational awareness.

The Result: The client experienced zero interruption and zero loss. At several locations, the
client closed business operations a few hours early to let employees go early in an effort to
divert them from the main protest activity of the day, but also to help alleviate any
customers from the very same. The main client point of contact was able to focus his
energies and efforts on internal communications while being fed relevant, pertinent
information to their business interests. PRS personnel ensured each employee departed their respective workplace location without harm or harassment.

Premier Risk Solutions provides the best in class global protective, consultative and investigative solutions for organizations to adapt to evolving business objectives and allow for scalability and agility. Through partnerships and strategic alliances, PRS offers support in 65 different countries. Our clients consistently tell us that our solutions are a cut above the competition. We foster a collaborative relationship with clients and vendors leading to the most successful service execution for all parties involved. We strive for each and every service no matter how small or large to have the best customer service experience possible. At PRS you will feel you are working with a partner who has your organizational brand and integrity in-mind.

PRS’s Michael Delamere Featured at #MSSGreatLakes forum

PRS’s Michael Delamere Featured at #MSSGreatLakes forum

Our CEO, Michael Delamere was featured as a panelist at the MSSGreat Lake Forum. In case you missed the panel discussion, we are linking it here in our blog. Along with Delamere, Craig McKim, Drew Neckar and David Schlecte, Mike talked about the skills security professionals need to have, our usage of behavioral sciences in our hiring process and advice on where and how to utilize social media. A big thanks to Phelim Rowe for featuring our company in this event!

Mike talked about how valuable soft skills as security professionals and how key the ability to communicate with the C-Suite is. We use people sciences when we onboard new hires to clearly define what abilities employees have and what tools they need to be effective and engaged. That ultimately leads to a better level of efficiency in organizations.

The one thing we pride ourselves on at PRS is using our platform to educate. When asked about usage of social media as a way to engage clients and do business, Mike articulated our primary goal. We used LinkedIn primarily and as a tool to share information not fear monger, but to disseminate valuable knowledge. We make it a point to provide original content and do it on a regular basis, so our base knows what to expect and when to expect it.

Listen to the rest of in interview in the video to hear about Mike’s view on business acumen and what the current climate is in higher learning institutions regarding private security. Be sure to visit our website for more videos like this one.