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FUNCTION OF SECURITY DEPARTMENTS.
Term Paper ID:30335
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Essay Subject:
Importance of internal security functions within the framework of operations management.... More...
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8 Pages / 1800 Words
6 sources, 11 Citations,
MLA Format
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Paper Abstract:
Importance of internal security functions within the framework of operations management. Responsibilities of the Security Department (plan, anticipate, react, act when necessary). Uses an insurance company as an example of how a security department is part of the firm's infrastructure. Need to security to be upgraded to maintain top qulity of performance.
Paper Introduction:
SECURITY DEPARTMENT WITHIN OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
The purpose of efficient and effective operations management is to make certain that nothing goes wrong- whether specific machinery, computers, or employee performance. The goal, therefore is to enhance the product or service offered customers and thus make certain that there is total customer satisfaction. However, within the framework of operations management the importance of internal security functions should not be relegated to a low-priority status. While many of the headlines one reads about company security today have to do with computer operations, the safety, protection, and well-being of the company’s work force is also often a major concern. On the following pages, therefore, we will examine the functions, responsibilities, and even some budgetary concerns about a specific
Text of the Paper:
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and Ritzman, L.P.: Operations Management (5th Edition) Addison-Wesley PublishingSaul, Marlette: "Workplace violence...keeping employees safe" Washington DC: Rural Telecommunications May/June 2 v. For this reason,the operations management's priority is to assure a safe and efficientworkplace where nothing, in terms of employee security or safety, is leftto chance. In essence, the responsibilities of the Security Department is toplan, to anticipate, to react when and if necessary, and to make sure thatthe day-to-day operation of the building and the safety and protection ofboth the people and the physical "plant" run smoothly and trouble-free. It is important to state that the operations management of the companyhas not downsized the security department nor its role during regularbusiness hours. The department now offers a guard to walk anemployee or group of employees to the parking structure. In a sense, thisinsurance company's security department is part of the overall corporatesupply chain, and therefore it is important not merely to justify budgetseach fiscal year, but also to send out bids for new or replacementequipment to local or regional suppliers. The functions of the company's security department include employeesafety (that is, safeguarding the building in which they work), protectingcustomers who come to the company offices, and dealing with local police,fire, and building inspection departments; as well as being responsible forthe purchase of equipment from suppliers to enhance building andworker/customer security. On the following pages, therefore, we will examinethe functions, responsibilities, and even some budgetary concerns about aspecific insurance company's security forces. After receiving three bids from local patrol/securityservices, "The Watchful Eye" Company was selected for the followingreasons. "The Watchful Eye" includes a serviceand repair department which we now contract to inspect, upgrade, or repairour security hardware, including cameras, ID card and code electronicequipment, and all alarm systems. I understand thatthe company's offices in California now also offers instructions about whatto do in case of an earthquake. SECURITY DEPARTMENT WITHIN OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT The purpose of efficient and effective operations management is tomake certain that nothing goes wrong- whether specific machinery,computers, or employee performance. In such cases, the security personnel areauthorized to provide an escort for that particular customer to the properoffice. WORKS CITEDBaron, S. It is obvious that cutbacks are tied to the economy:"Security is often looked at as one department that is strictly anoverhead" (Stoller B-5). And, while this may bemore in the area of Human Resources, the insurance company's securitydepartment also receives training in conflict resolution. One reason is the fact that it provides a feeling ofcomfort and safety to the many employees who work here. After some discussion, the decision was made to ask for somebids from local security companies about furnishing evening and night andweekend security services, including on-duty manpower at the building'sentrance, and a patrol vehicle to inspect parking lots and garages afterworking hours. 19 n 3Stoller, Gary: "...when budgets get cut, Security's usually one of the first areas to be slashed..." Arlington VA: USA Today July 24, 2 1 While, in the eyes of many, the securitydepartment ranks rather low in terms of budget and even public priorities;nevertheless, it serves a vital function. Anthony: Violence in the Workplace (1993) Ventura CA: Pathfinder Publications of CaliforniaHarowitz, Sherry: "Security's Positive Return" (2 ) www.pinkertons.comJones, Russell F., Jr. Many court actions have raised questions ofnegligent security practices as well as removal of potential hazards."(Baron 1 2) Among the security directives for most firms, including mine,are that employees are not required to work alone. Workplace violence is not merely a social issue. In otherwords, it now looks like a BUSINESS, not like a bank with armed guards. It is not stretching the point tocome to the conclusion that, in the case of this company, the SecurityDepartment is definitely part of the firm's infrastructure and thereforepart of the network that as Krajewski and Ritzman point out (1999) supportthe company's priorities. Previously, we had utilized threeseparate suppliers for these activities. That is, it may occurfor reasons other than an unstable personality or a disgruntled employee.The Security Department understands that "a number of factors may increasea worker's risk for workplace assault....and they include....contact withthe public, exchange of money...working alone or in small numbers, workinglate at night or during early morning hours" (Saul 43). There are, on occasion,some agitated customers who have complaints about insurance payments (ordenials of additional insurance). As part of the overall company'soperations management, the security department has (as do all departments)as its "basic purpose...to control inventory by managing the flows ofmaterials" (Krajewski 455). One question an outsider might well ask: Is the security departmentreally needed within Operations Management? Her husband even urgedher to call him when she got ready to leave the office at the end of theday. Just as operations management controls inventory of supplies coming inand products going out, so the Security Department of this particularinsurance company- my employer- has its own inventory "control", whichincludes some of the following: The need to "define the Company assets thatneed protection...establish priorities for providing protection...developsound physical security systems- identify any problem areas- have writtensecurity procedures" (Baron 155). "This is gearedtoward controlling violence from customers and clients, but can includedisgruntled fellow employees" (Baron 1 2). We now insist on a semi-annual fire drill. What withsome corporate downsizing, it seemed that the budget for security should beslashed. This newsletter also has different safety tips each issue: fromlocation of fire alarms, to where sprinkler heads are located, as well asfire escapes. In my company's view, there could be a budgetreduction. As in all aspects of operations management, no one says anything ortends to make any changes as long as operations run smoothly. In a recent survey by Pinkertonincluding some 6 security managers, "forty percent of those respondinghave seen working capital for security-related projects increase over thepast three to five years, while another 39 percent say funding has heldsteady" (Harowitz 1). "Budget cut backs are reducing security...some security expertssay....in the last six months, one...client eliminated its security staff,another reduced its staff, and a third eliminated the vehicle patrols"(Stoller B-5). As a result of this interview, and several others conducted bymanagement, the Security Department now issues a monthly newsletter- just afold-over sheet, which provides some information about safety precautionstaken at the building. Again, the estimated annualsavings may run to some $1 , . However, within the framework of operationsmanagement the importance of internal security functions should not berelegated to a low-priority status. Employees are also given the suggestionthat they should take this newsletter home to let friends and family knowthat their safety is uppermost in the company's mind. The company also now provides at least oneguard on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. While many of the headlines one readsabout company security today have to do with computer operations, thesafety, protection, and well-being of the company's work force is alsooften a major concern. "The Watchful Eye"is alerted if employees are working late, so that a patrol car is nearby asan additional safety precaution. But, the idea lingers: "What if?" In discussing thesubject of security with one fairly recent hire, Mrs. Gerry Donahue, shestated that her husband did not want her working overtime, late into theevening (even, as she said, when she told her husband others were sometimesworking late, as well, as she would not be alone). By reducing the number ofsuppliers to just this one department, Security, we have been able toreduce not merely cost, but reduced the number of suppliers. The Security Department was also requested to find the most effectiveand efficient means of organizing personnel and a "chain of command". In the new model, the securitydirector must see him or herself as a business person integral to theorganization's profitability, not as an inhouse policeman" (Jones 46). and Longmore-Etheridge, Ann: "Just Say Yes" Arlington VA: Security Management February, 1999, v.43 n 2Krajewski, L.J. The contract with "The Watchful Eye" has provided other operationalbenefits and cost-effective savings. And, as they are escorted, the person whom they had asked to see isalerted. By reducing corporate staff, and thus avoiding specific benefits(health, pension, state employment taxes, etc.) the estimated annualsavings for the company would be $29,5 the first year alone. At the most recent budget meeting, where allocations for the securitydepartment were discussed, the subject of cost-cutting arose. There is no doubtthat the newspapers and television news stories about violence at the workplace occasionally alarms even those who are not directly affected by suchacts of violence. Whenthese changes were made, an offshoot of the new "look" gave a far less"regimented" appearance e4ven within the lobby- the first place ourcustomers come to when visiting of coming for an appointment. In terms of supply-chain management, thisnew contract adds value which "becomes apparent when the complexity of thesupply chain is recognized" (Krajewski 459). "Employers are required by lawto provide adequate security. It is important to conclude with the fact that, just like machinery, R& D, and product/services improvements, Security is always being upgraded,and changed when and where necessary, to maintain top quality ofperformance, planning, anticipation, and prevention of problems thatotherwise interfere with business. At mycompany happily, the Security Department is challenged almost daily to lookahead and thus to anticipate any and all out-of-the-ordinary events. Inthat sense, the department is not merely "overhead" but a contributor tothe bottom line: the less problems, the less the need for any sort ofintervention, the less any "incidents" with customers or employees, theless interference with normal operations. One such example is profiling training given to all security personnelwho maintain the lobby desk, where all clients and customers come, and fromwhich they are directed to the proper location. "TheWatchful Eye provides at least one regular guard beginning at 5 PM untilthe official opening of the building at 8 AM when regular security guardsfrom the company come on duty. Thedepartment had been asked to "explore the possibilities of operatingsecurity along the lines of a service-based model, rather than continuingto follow the typical law-enforcement model...In the old department, forexample, there were sergeants and lieutenants, and all wore uniforms...(Thehead of the department) renamed the sergeants and lieutenants assupervisors and assistant supervisors... It is onlywhen something abnormal or eventful happens to change the efficiency ofoperations that measures are instituted to prevent recurrence. The latter includes metal detectors at entrances,security cameras in garage and parking structures and parking lots, as wellas updating ID cards used to gain entrance for employees. The goal, therefore is to enhance theproduct or service offered customers and thus make certain that there istotal customer satisfaction.
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