When organizing an event, one of your key considerations is the security approach.
Some event organizers may rely solely on security cameras and similar surveillance technology, while others employ guards to assist and deter unruly activity.
Converging both approaches can balance the efficiency of technology with the adaptability and responsiveness of trained personnel.
Explore the role of surveillance technology and security guards for events, and discover how combining these two components can optimize security, giving your guests a safe and enjoyable experience.
The Role of Surveillance Technology in Event Security
Surveillance technology refers to devices and systems that monitor event areas by recording and live-streaming footage.
Technology most often used for surveillance includes:
- Security cameras – Installed on walls, ceilings, and other locations to provide static monitoring, typically through wide-angle, 360-degree, or ultra-zoom lenses.
- Mobile surveillance trailers – Probable units that can be towed to any outdoor event location and quickly deployed. Cameras mounted on the trailer’s tall masts capture footage from elevated positions in large or crowded areas.
- Surveillance drones – Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that can be controlled manually or configured to follow a predetermined flight path and offer a birds-eye view of the area.
While some technology, such as cameras, needs to be installed in specific locations, other technology, such as trailers and drones, can be deployed quickly for temporary situations, such as events.
Pros
- 24/7 monitoring: Surveillance technology can operate continuously without any breaks, and most are powered or operated remotely to ensure constant monitoring.
- Wide coverage: Drones and mobile surveillance trailers offer a real-time, wide-angle view of the entire area, including locations that would otherwise be out of sight from the ground level.
- Unintrusive monitoring: Surveillance cameras can be strategically positioned to monitor discreetly without directly interfering with the event experience.
- Objective evidence: Recordings of incidents provide indisputable evidence and reliable documentation to aid legal proceedings.
Cons
- Slower response: Surveillance technology is limited to monitoring and alerting for threats or incidents and cannot do anything to intervene. Only some systems, such as trailers with speakers, can instruct crowds or warn individuals.
- Technical failures: Power outages or lost connections can cause interruptions in surveillance, leaving areas unmonitored.
- Static monitoring: Surveillance equipment is highly dependent on its placement. If cameras or sensors are not positioned correctly, they can miss certain areas or activities, creating blind spots.
- Lack of personal interaction: Surveillance systems are limited to capturing footage and cannot contribute to attendee experiences.
The Role of Security Guards in Event Security
It’s common to hire security guards for events, where their main responsibilities are to ensure the safety and security of attendees, prevent unauthorized access, and respond to any disturbances or emergencies.
Guards are stationed at specific locations, such as entrances, or patrol the perimeter.
At the main entrance, they’ll check invitations or identifications to verify that only authorized individuals gain access to the event. Meanwhile, other guards prevent overcrowding in certain areas by gently informing attendees to move along or supervising access to VIP sections and restricted zones.
If there are any altercations, guards can intervene and professionally manage disruptive guests while preventing escalation. They’ll also monitor compliance with event rules, such as prohibiting underage drinking or enforcing smoking restrictions.
In emergencies, security guards help guide attendees to safety and follow established protocols to maintain order and prevent chaos.
Pros
- High deterrence: The presence of event security guards deters disruptive and criminal behavior, such as unauthorized entry or acts of violence.
- Public assistance: Guards can provide a better experience for attendees by directing them to areas, answering questions, and giving help when requested.
- Quick response: Guards can immediately identify and address incidents, such as medical emergencies, conflicts, or security breaches.
- Adaptable decision-making: Security guards can assess situations in real time and jump into action to handle unexpected scenarios.
Cons
- Physical limitations: Security guards may become tired during longer shifts, affecting their ability to remain vigilant, so they’ll need to take regular breaks during their shifts.
- Human error: Fatigue, distractions, or misjudgments can lead to mistakes in critical situations, such as missing suspicious behavior or failing to identify a perpetrator.
- Limited coverage: Guards can only monitor one area at a time, and it can take time for them to relocate to another location, leaving gaps in surveillance.
- High costs: Employing a sufficient number of trained guards to monitor the entire area for large-scale events can be expensive.
Why Combine Surveillance Technology and Security Guards for Events?
The shortcomings of both surveillance technology and security guards in event security and monitoring can be mitigated by combining the two solutions.
Through this convergence, you create a comprehensive security strategy where the strengths of each component complement the other.
Limiting Blind Spots
Most notably, employing security guards and advanced surveillance technology ensures that all potential blind spots throughout the event are covered.
Drones, surveillance trailers, and high-mounted cameras cameras can monitor areas that are difficult to reach or obstructed, such as crowds from a high angle.
In smaller event venues, too many guards can overcrowd the space and cause attendees to feel uncomfortable. Instead of leaving the area unmonitored, cameras can be installed for surveillance without being intrusive or distracting.
Mitigating the Risk of Guard Fatigue
If guards are overworked, they become fatigued and can miss crucial details or warning signs.
By installing cameras or using other surveillance systems, guards can take breaks and rest before returning to their posts refreshed while the event’s security is never compromised.
If an incident occurs while a guard is away, they can easily refer to the live surveillance feed or contact a central monitoring and response center to assess and respond to the situation.
Addressing Potential Technical Failures
Security guards on location can verify the functionality of systems like cameras and report any issues, mitigating the potential loss of coverage due to a drop in power or connectivity.
If, in rare circumstances, a camera is completely non-operational, guards can immediately adjust their patrols or tasks to ensure coverage in the affected area until the system is restored.
Doing so keeps the event secure, even when technical issues arise, and allows for vulnerabilities to be quickly identified and addressed.
Supporting Guard’s Accountability
Combining surveillance technology with security guards for events also ensures the guards perform their duties correctly.
Surveillance cameras can track guard movement to verify their presence in key areas and confirm that security protocols are being followed.
For example, if a guard is assigned to monitor a particular area, cameras placed in that zone can provide real-time verification, ensuring the guard is present and alert.
Similarly, if there is a disturbance or similar situation, the video footage can be reviewed to confirm whether the guard responds appropriately, pushing guards to be more considerate and accountable for their actions.
Improving Cost-Efficiency
Particularly for larger events, employing a sufficient number of security guards for optimal security can be expensive. Integrating surveillance technology can lower the cost of security while maintaining the same, or even more, coverage.
With technology handling routine monitoring, guards focus on high-priority tasks and become more efficient in their responsibilities, reducing the need for extensive staffing without compromising safety.
Information and insights from the surveillance systems can also identify areas where improvements may be needed in the security approach for future events.
For example, if drones reveal that certain areas, such as entrances or high-traffic zones, were not adequately covered, it may prompt a reassessment of camera placement or the addition of more surveillance equipment.
Tips for Surveillance Technology and Security Gaurd Integration During Events
In our guide to hiring security for events, we show you how to identify common event security risks and allocate resources to protect your venue and attendees.
Check out these additional tips for balancing surveillance technology and guards for optimal security:
1. Assess Security Needs
Understand the specific risks of your event to determine the type of surveillance and number of guards required for coverage.
- Is the event at risk for trespassing?
- Will alcohol be served, increasing the potential for disorderly conduct?
- Is it a large, crowded event where pickpocketing could be a concern?
Some risks will require a greater reliance on human intervention, and you’ll need to invest more in guards, while others may be more easily managed primarily through surveillance technology.
2. Consider Budget
Take into account how much you’re willing to spend and find a balance between investing in advanced surveillance tools and hiring qualified security staff.
3. Get Post-Event Reporting
Make sure your security team provides thorough reports after the event. These should include insights on how well the integration of surveillance and guards worked, helping you refine security strategies and readjust your budget for future events.
Advanced Technology & Expert Event Security Guards for Complete Protection
Whatever event you’re hosting, whether it’s a party, conference, concert, trade show, or something else, look for a venue that offers surveillance. However, regardless of cameras, investing in security guards for events is always a good choice.
At American Security Force, we’ll conduct a risk assessment of your event and devise a suitable strategy that balances your needs and budget.
Ready to secure your next event with surveillance systems and security guards? Explore our available services and contact us for a quote today.
