British firms are “not taking security seriously” claims SIA

Research carried out by Grayling – the Security Industry Authority’s (SIA) Public Relations advisor – among the readers of SMT, the Facilities Management Journal and Financial Director magazine shows that, at a time when security should be the Number One priority for businesses, there exists “a distinct difference between what corporate concerns say about their commitment to security and the reality.”

In particular, it seems, there is a “clear gap” between the attitudes and perceptions of financial directors and security and facilities management specialists.

The study suggests that more than three quarters (78%) of the country’s financial directors, who control the budgets for corporate services, have little idea about how their companies buy security. Furthermore, over half (55%) don’t even know the name of their current security services supplier.

“In the 21st Century, it’s somewhat disappointing to see a critical service like security bought in such an unsophisticated way,” commented John Saunders – chief executive at the SIA – on reviewing the survey results. “Many businesses claim that they are fully-committed to improving security measures but, for some, it looks like this enthusiasm dissolves once the time comes for allocating budgetary spend.”

Saunders added: “The level of security that Britain’s business leaders understand they’re receiving is often tempered by the amount of funding the finance director decides to allocate. It simply doesn’t make sound business sense to buy the very least from the cheapest provider. It is now high time the majority of businesses built upon the good practices of the few by seeking a more mature and professional relationship with their security solutions provider.”

Views on security pertaining at Boardroom level differ greatly from those of people in daily contact with security suppliers. The majority of security managers (81% of them) surveyed view their security supplier as adding value to their company’s business, but only one third of finance directors (36%) feel the same way.

Professionalism is really the key for security managers, with just over two-thirds (67%) citing it as the most important factor when buying security services. For finance directors, that same figure falls to just 16%.

“The risks to the business community are very real indeed,” added Saunders. “An old-fashioned mindset on this issue is no longer acceptable.”