5 Benefits of Outsourcing Your Campus Security

The safety and security of a college campus plays a major role in the reputation of a college, as well as being a major concern for parents and prospective students. However, it can be daunting to manage the security challenges of large, open environments, frequent events, strict compliance and legal requirements, limited resources, mental health considerations and other campus-specific factors. 
 
Given these diverse and demanding security considerations, outsourcing to a third-party security provider like GardaWorld Security can be highly advantageous, allowing educational institutions to focus on their core educational responsibilities while a third party handles and mitigates potential security threats. 
 
Let’s take a deeper look at the benefits of outsourcing your campus security. 

1. Cost efficiency and operational savings

One of the main advantages of partnering with a third-party security provider is the potential for significant cost savings and operational efficiency. For example, GardaWorld Security specializes in security staffing, ensuring faster recruitment and compliance than industry standards. By handling recruitment, background checks, and specialized training, we reduce the administrative burden on your institution. 

Additionally, we manage payroll, benefits, scheduling, and other administrative tasks, allowing you to focus on higher-value projects and responsibilities. With our large pool of professionals, we can quickly address staffing needs, including last-minute absences and emergencies, providing a seamless and cost-effective solution for your campus security.

2. Expertise and experience

Third-party security providers like GardaWorld Security bring unparalleled security experience and specialized expertise to your institution. Our extensive, hands-on track record across various sectors allows us to implement best practices and provide innovative solutions tailored to your campus’s unique needs. We understand the specific security requirements of higher education institutions, offering comprehensive support from on-the-ground personnel to executive-level experts.

Our strong relationships with local law enforcement and public safety agencies enable us to quickly adapt to changing security needs, enhancing safety on campus. We stay at the forefront of security innovation through involvement in key industry associations like IACLEA and ASIS, and partnerships with agencies such as local police departments, the CIA, and the FBI. These public-private partnerships ensure we benefit from shared intelligence, allowing our security teams to respond faster and more effectively to emergencies. 

3. Flexibility and scalability

One of the most valuable assets of partnering with a third-party security provider is the ability to adjust staffing levels and services efficiently. Whether it’s increasing manpower during busy periods or scaling down when less coverage is needed, GardaWorld Security provides unmatched flexibility and scalability to adapt to your requirements on short notice.

Our dedicated Flex Officer program ensures we have trained recruits ready for temporary or part-time work, allowing us to respond swiftly to seasonal or situational changes. For instance, during summer breaks, many institutions lay off a large percentage of their staff, only to rehire them in August. Our pool of flex officers is always prepared to meet such fluctuating demands, ensuring continuous security coverage.

Moreover, GardaWorld Security offers a range of added security services, including BEST Crowd Management for event security, Crisis24 Travel Risk Management, Horizon’s AI-powered Risk Management, and critical event management supported by TopoOne from Crisis24. Our comprehensive solutions, including ECAMSECURE mobile surveillance units and advanced access control and monitoring technology, ensure adaptable safety measures that evolve with your institution’s needs.  

4. Quality assurance

We have a vested interest in providing exceptional service, ensuring our employees are thoroughly vetted, licensed, certified, and trained to perform their duties professionally and effectively. Unlike many third-party security providers who rely on account managers for multiple tasks, GardaWorld Security separates responsibilities among specialized staff for recruiting, processing, and interviewing.

All of our employees undergo comprehensive training, emphasizing customer service and our core values: integrity, vigilance, trust, and respect. There is also specific training for issues related to equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as sexual violence. We customize security plans to meet client needs, providing detailed reporting through quarterly business reviews and continuous communication.

Our dedicated teams conduct regular audits and inspections to ensure compliance with all necessary regulations and standards. We handle reporting requirements for legislation like Clery and Title IX directly, without involving third parties. By focusing solely on clients' needs with dedicated account management staff, we provide continuous communication and exceptional service, ensuring high standards of safety on campus.

5. Risk management and liability reduction

Security inherently involves risk, and outsourcing campus security allows educational institutions to delegate this risk to experienced providers like GardaWorld Security. By working with contracted security professionals, you can shift the burden of deterring threats, preventing loss, and enforcing policies, thus reducing your institution’s liability.

We facilitate compliance with the Clery Act and Title IX, and handle state or local licensing requirements. Our expertise equips your organization to implement and maintain security policies, and we provide awareness training for staff. In case of an incident, we assist with response, recovery, and impact mitigation. We also partner with universities to develop SOPs, clearly defining our responsibilities versus those of the public safety department.

Ready to enhance your campus safety?  

With 20+ years of experience and 50+ protected campuses across North America, GardaWorld Security provides the widest range of security solutions, making us your one-stop shop for campus security and safety. Contact us today to learn how we can help protect your educational institution.