Shopping Mall Security: a Search for Optimal Solutions
At the RBC conference dedicated to trends in retail security, which was held at the Sheraton Palace hotel in Moscow at the end of May, a draft resolution, which is currently considered by the Russian Government was discussed. It includes stricter requirements for private security companies that provide services under federal government and municipal contracts.
Market participants forecast that if this initiative is implemented, prices for private security services, including but not limited to government contracts, will go up by 30-60%.
Thus, it becomes particularly important to choose a security concept for retail stores and shopping centers, and decide whether to outsource it to professional companies or manage it on their own, whether to use surveillance or rely on physical protection?
“Everyone is looking at the government contracts and understands that the same principles will be applied in the private sector,” Andrei Avanesov, deputy head of the State Control and Licensing Department at Rossgvardia commented on strengthening the requirements.
Currently, integrated security solutions for retailers and shopping centers offered by security agencies include providing physical security, video surveillance, fire and burglar alarms, and access control. Specialized private security companies conduct security inspections and develop implementation concepts, provide technical support with an option of emergency reinforcement, and communicate with law enforcement.
According to the majority of market participants, the main focus now is on using technology. “More cameras or cameras with greater functional abilities,” Leonid Nagaitsev, director in charge of business development at a company that is providing security services at shopping centers, spoke about security strategy. “Camera operators will be replaced by software programs that will analyze video footage. When computer-based analysis becomes more efficient, it will completely replace humans in this business. ”
FORTGROUP has been expanding application of security equipment for awhile. “Technical abilities of the security systems that we use at our shopping centers are greater than anything else that exists in St. Petersburg today,” FORTGROUP security department commented. “The highest quality security system is installed at Europolis. The system of video surveillance is being improved on a regular basis, providing for a greater coverage area.”
FORTGROUP believes that another method that would allow to improve efficiency of security measures and reduce cost, could be adding professional security contractors. FORTGROUP employs several professional security companies. "We are sensitive about reducing operational costs, and do many things ourselves. We concentrate on insourcing, instead of outsourcing. We cut costs without losing quality,” - Maxim Levchenko, managing partner of FORTGROUP said. “For example, we have greatly reduced the number of security guards. It is much more efficient to use surveillance cameras, which allows us to resolve conflict situations faster, if there are any.”
Currently, at each FORTGROUP facility security is provided by a shift supervisor and from 2 to 6 security guards responsible for physical protection. There is also a dispatch operator monitoring the cameras and providing technical support. “We have much fewer security guards than others shopping centers, but it does not affect the level of security due to high quality of surveillance systems,” FORTGROUP security department representative said.
Dmitry Manylov
