Security consulting: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What security consulting is

A security consultant assesses your site's physical and electronic security, identifies weak points and recommends improvements such as access control, lighting, cameras and procedures. Businesses, property owners and event organizers hire consultants to find gaps before a loss or an incident happens.

Signs you need it

  • You have had break ins, theft or vandalism and need to know which weak points made it possible
  • You are opening a new location, and the insurer or landlord has asked for a security assessment
  • Your access control relies on keys or codes that are shared too widely or never changed
  • Your cameras or alarms are installed but nobody can say whether they cover the important areas
  • You are planning a large event or a high value storage area and need a security plan

What the pro does

  • Review the site, the layout, the entry points and the current security measures
  • Walk the property at the times when the risks are highest, such as after hours
  • Test the locks, doors, gates, lighting, alarms and cameras as far as the site rules allow
  • Interview staff about procedures, key control, visitor handling and past incidents
  • Rank the weak points by risk and by how easily each one can be fixed
  • Write a report with specific recommendations and the order in which to make the changes

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The size and number of buildings and the number of entry points to assess
  • Whether the assessment covers only physical security or also electronic systems and procedures
  • How many staff must be interviewed and how many shifts must be observed
  • Whether the consultant must check the systems at night or during an event
  • Whether you want a written report only or help selecting and installing equipment
  • Whether the assessment must meet the requirements of an insurer, lender or regulator

What a written quote should spell out

  • The areas covered and the times of the site visits
  • The methods of assessment, such as walk throughs, interviews and system testing
  • The deliverables, such as a written report and a prioritized list of recommendations
  • Whether follow up, equipment selection or installation oversight is included
  • How the consultant handles the sensitive information about your site and its weaknesses

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What security assessments have you completed for sites like mine?
  • Will you test the systems yourself, or review what my installers say they did?
  • How will you rank the recommendations, and what should I do first?
  • Do you sell or install equipment, and if so, does that create a conflict of interest?
  • Will the report be kept confidential, and who will receive a copy?
  • Do you hold any license the work requires in my state?

Red flags

  • Recommends a specific product line without assessing the site first
  • Uses the assessment to sell an installation contract without a separate written quote
  • Will not put the scope, the methods and the report contents in writing
  • Promises that a site will be secure or that a break in will not happen

What you can do yourself

You can walk your property at night and check lighting, locks, gates and blind spots, list who has keys or codes and change codes after staff leave, and review your camera coverage. Hire a security consultant when the losses continue despite these steps, when an insurer or lender requires a formal assessment or when the site has a complex mix of people, access and valuables.

Licenses and permits

Security consulting is not always licensed, but some states require a license for certain security work, especially installation or guard services. Check with your state or local licensing agency for the rules that apply to the services the consultant offers, and ask for proof of any license.

Security consulting questions

Do I need a security assessment before I buy cameras?

It helps. An assessment shows where cameras, lighting and access control will do the most good, so you do not buy equipment that covers the wrong areas.

Will the consultant install the recommendations?

Some do and some do not. Ask whether installation is included, and get separate quotes for any installation so you can compare them.

How long does an assessment take?

It depends on the size of the site and the number of systems. Ask for a timeline that includes the site visits, the interviews and the report date.

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