Find the Best Security Company for Keyholding Services
Introduction
In our experience, prospective clients approaching us to discuss our security keyholding services often experience anxiety about handing a full set of keys, along with security door and alarm codes over to a third party…. And with good reason!
Whether you represent a company implementing a business security strategy or a private individual looking for keyholding services for your property, the stakes are high and it is something you need to get right.
This article will examine the issues and allay some of the fears by explaining exactly what you need to consider before handing your keys over, the reasons why businesses may choose to use a keyholding service, and the benefits of doing so.
Security keyholding services are ideal for:
- Homeowners leaving their property for extended periods
- Small businesses with limited staffing resources
- Large multi-site businesses with complex security needs
Keyholding Services and why you might need them
So what can a keyholding service provide that will take the pressure off of your business and eliminate the constant threat of it becoming yet another crime statistic?
Redundancy:
By lodging a master set with the security company, the business ensures there is always a backup set of keys in case the primary keys get lost, stolen or accidentally locked inside. You would be surprised how often this happens particularly when there is a mix of standard and key-code operated locks.
Emergency Access
When a master set of keys is left with a security company it ensures that authorised personnel can gain access to the premises in case of an emergency when regular employees are not available. This could be important for business continuity for example a power outage resulting in a trip might be disastrous for refrigerated stock.
Out-of-Hours Access
Further down in this post, we are discussing how keyholding can dovetail with some other services like remote CCTV monitoring and alarm response. In this case, the security company may provide patrols or monitoring services outside of regular business hours. Having a set of keys available ensures they can quickly gain access if needed.
Controlled Access
A good security company will be able to demonstrate that they have a strict set of protocols around the secure storage of your keys as well as who they can be issued to and why. Requiring authorisation from the security company to release the keys adds an extra layer of control over who can access the premises and helps prevent unauthorised access that can result in a security breach.
Benefits of a Security Company Keyholding Service
If these types of services are something you have been considering but struggling to decide if the benefits outweigh the cost, here are six potential benefits clearly laid out:
1. 24/7 Availability:
Security companies offer round-the-clock keyholding services, which means that you can have peace of mind knowing that your property is always protected. This means that business owners and their staff can enjoy downtime, holidays etc. without the added stress and inconvenience of being on call in case of emergencies.
2. Rapid Response to Alarms:
In case of alarm activation, the security company can quickly respond to the situation as they hold the keys to your property. This ensures that any potential threat is dealt with promptly and efficiently. Given that there are many reasons that an alarm trigger might turn out to be a false positive, it is still important that these are also investigated and dealt with as quickly as possible.
3. Reduced Personal Risk:
By using a keyholding service, you can avoid putting yourself or your employees at risk by responding to alarms or incidents. Instead, professional responders are highly trained security officers with the knowledge, resources and experience to deal with a wide range of emergencies.
4. Liaison with statutory emergency services:
A good security company with proper local representation will always build strong relationships and contacts with the local statutory services. Whether the emergency is security related or for example, an outbreak of fire, a security company acting as first responder will have established liaison channels with the appropriate services. Security officers will know exactly who to get in touch with when they arrive on site.
5. Cost-savings:
A long-term contract with a security company for keyholding services can be more cost-effective than training existing employees to respond to alarms and incidents or paying staff overtime for on-call duties during the night, at weekends or during national holidays.
Of course, the cost of a break-in can be brutal. Not just in terms of the financial cost of what has been stolen but also when you consider the reputational damage to your business if you create the impression that your security measures are not making the grade.
If your business has been successfully targeted by criminals your annual insurance premiums may also increase significantly.
6. Peace of Mind:
Knowing that your property is being monitored and protected 24/7 can provide you with peace of mind and allow you to focus on other aspects of your business or personal life. This can help reduce stress, enhance your business and improve the general quality of life.
Keyholding as Part of a Layered Security Strategy
Most security companies will offer CCTV monitoring and rapid alarm response as individual services. However, these can be linked into a single package to provide a triage of measures that provide the ultimate layered security solution.
By linking keyholding, alarm response, and remote CCTV monitoring you are likely to be able to negotiate a contract with your chosen security company that can help you save money on security costs while ensuring that your business or property has the best protection available.
Titan services related to keyholding
Security Keyholding Services for Homeowners with Vacant Properties:
Homeowners who need to leave their properties vacant for extended periods, such as during holidays, renovations, or while the property is on the market, can benefit greatly from security keyholding services.
Here are some reasons why homeowners with vacant properties may consider using a security company to hold a spare set of keys:
Emergency Access:
Entrusting a master set of keys to a security company means that authorised personnel can gain access to the property in case of an emergency when homeowners are not available. This could be important for both safety and security reasons, especially if the property is located in a remote area or has limited access.
A security company may also provide mobile patrols or alarm monitoring services. With a full set of keys available to them, security officers can quickly gain access if needed, for either deterring or responding to criminal activity. This is especially important if the property is vacant for extended periods and may be more vulnerable to break-ins or vandalism.
Professional Handling of Incidents:
Security companies have trained professionals who know how to handle different types of incidents, including break-ins, fire alarms, and other emergencies. They can respond quickly and efficiently to deter crime and minimise any potential damage to the property.
Regular Inspections:
Security keyholding services may also include regular inspections of the property to ensure that everything is in order and no problems have arisen. This can help prevent small problems from escalating, to give homeowners peace of mind knowing that their property is being looked after.
Making Sure You Choose the Right Keyholding Service
Having done your homework and identified some suitable candidates to take on your keyholding requirements, now is the time to begin to get the answers you need to allay any anxieties you may have about the level of trust you will be placing in a third party.
Here are a few things you should get straight with prospective contractors before putting pen to paper on a contract:
Licensing and Credentials
Make sure the company is properly licensed and insured in your local area. Find out if they are members of respected bodies in the security industry like ASIS International where membership and certification require meeting sets of standards recognised by the security industry worldwide.
Relevant Experience
Choose a company with demonstrable experience in providing keyholding services to businesses similar to yours. An established company will have a proven track record and will be able to direct you to case studies and testimonials. Talk to other businesses currently using the company for keyholding to get real references and reviews of their service, professionalism, and responsiveness.
Key Storage Security
Determine how securely the company stores all client keys when not in use. Keys should be locked in vaults or safes and access limited. The physical security of keys is crucial. You should also find out how digital data like access codes for keypad locks are encrypted and protected. Good keyholding companies will have very limited and controlled access for authorised personnel only.
Monitoring and Response
Consider the level of monitoring they offer alongside their keyholding responsibilities. You should expect that their average response time in emergencies will far outstrip those of the statutory services. The company must have local offices with responding security officers available 24/7.
Invoicing Transparency and Contracts
Keyholding will normally involve agreeing to a long-term contract. Make sure there is a detailed, signed contract that specifies all keyholding fees, responsibilities, liabilities, auditing, monitoring, response commitments, and termination conditions.
Choose a company that is transparent in how they generate bills for keyholding fees, access charges, and any other costs. There should be no surprise fees.
Liability Cover
Check that the company carries proper liability insurance in case of any issues resulting from loss, theft, or mismanagement of client keys. Adequate coverage is important.
Conclusion:
Well, that’s almost a wrap!
All that remains is to encourage you to consider Titan Security Europe when you are searching for a reliable and experienced security contractor. With more than 3 decades in the business and a wealth of expertise across all sectors including providing top-rate keyholder security services, why settle for second best?
Trust is everything when it comes to the security of your property. That’s why our company is dedicated to building strong and lasting relationships with our clients by providing reliable and efficient security services.
As your nominated key holder and emergency response team, we will be there for you when you need us most, ensuring that your property is safe and secure at all times. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help protect your property.
Get in touch with our team and explore the possibilities. Book a free security audit and let us work with you to put the perfect keyholding plan together for your business.
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