Tag: #Propertysecurity

Stock image of a businesswoman using AR technology for a report.

Digital reporting for physical security

Written by George Oliver on May 19, 2021. Posted in Articles.

Gallowglass Security’s digital reporting technology gives clients an unrivalled level of insight and improved security solutions, while cutting costs.

Specialist digital reporting technology, designed by Gallowglass Security, provides an unrivalled level of insight into your building, street, borough, event, and enforcement security.

Unique security reporting system

Gallowglass Security’s ability to upload information on to a secure platform – capturing security related incidents and provide digital evidence – creates cost and time efficiencies for the end client.

The reporting technology also provides an unrivalled level of report detail, which shows historical incidents which are GPS located and time stamped.

^{Disclaimer. Please note that this is fictional report that has been produced for illustrative purposes only.}

The technology offers clients a specially created framework, designed by Gallowglass Security’s experts, for every security service Gallowglass Security offer. The service also allows you to tailor the framework to your insurance providers specifications or individual requirements.

Tried and tested digital reporting technology

The technology, which has been tried and tested and is in use across multiple jobs, has halved the reporting process of old, as well as increased the information that can be shared with the client at the click of a button.

Carried on mobile devices by our physical security staff, we capture information on a timestamped, GPS coordinated reporting technology which can be immediately uploaded. This allows us to cut reporting times by half and ensuring accurate in-the-moment information is uploaded alongside images.

Johan Du Plooy said: “Our reporting helps increase accountability on every job, as well as informing our customers’ decision making. It has the potential to save our customers security and insurance costs, which has been hugely appealing to our corporate and private clients, as well as security services.”

Security reporting app

The real-time reporting tool, carried by all personnel, allows our security experts to digitally track and log all incidents. We also provide photos, diagrams, site maps and a list of actions.

The simple to use tool, with over 60 different types of reporting forms for all the sectors Gallowglass Security work across, is designed to work in accordance with security services, allowing you to quickly access detailed information about any security incident when you work with Gallowglass Security.

Johan went on to say: “Providing proof and collecting data has never been more important. In the age of digital technology, capturing insights and providing time-stamped evidence of your security practices is critically important for insurance providers.”

For those that are interested in finding out how Gallowglass Security’s reporting technology can improve and enhance their security experience, please contact: dutyops@galsec.com

Queen Anne Street, Marylebone, London, with a closeup of the blue plaque belonging to Sir Patrick Manson.

The father of tropical medicine – Sir Patrick Manson 1844-1922 – 21 Queen Anne Street Marylebone

Written by George Oliver on March 4, 2021. Posted in Articles.

One of our most interesting and challenging assignments is based in Marylebone on behalf of the Howard de Walden Estate. The teams are tasked with providing street-based security and support services to all tenants and visitors to the area. These include medical facilities on Harley street, a diverse range of retailers on Marylebone High Street and an enviable selection of restaurants on Marylebone Lane. The teams are also there to respond to concerns of residents who call the area home.

Our teams have seen an increase in work load and a changing dynamic during the pandemic, their essential work has been key to supporting all estate users in a way that is beyond simply security. These duties include working with outreach teams to identify and contact rough sleepers to producing detailed vacant property inspections (VPI’s) for buildings temporally closed, giving those working remotely on the ground information quickly for a wide range of scenarios.

Whilst visiting the team it is easy to be intrigued by a great number of blue plaques that dot many of the buildings. One of these plaques is found on 21 Queen Anne Street in memory of a distant cousin of the explorer David Livingstone; Sir Patrick Manson. Born in Scotland, he proved to be gifted, not only at his academic studies but a great number of sports; perhaps most unusually for a Scotsman, even cricket. His ability academically was extraordinary, when he passed his medical degree aged 19, he was still too young to formally graduate.

On graduation he worked for a short time in Durham before moving to Taiwan. This was the start of his world changing research into tropical medicine, the effects of which are still with us today.

After his time in Taiwan, he moved to Amoy on the Chinese coast, where he became fully fluent in Mandarin and began his research into malaria. This is where he made his world changing discovery by identifying the link between malaria and mosquitos.

In 1889 he returned to the UK and took up residence at 21 Queen Anne Street and where his work continued. Joining the royal collage of physicians and becoming a chief medical officer on tropical illnesses to the government, he was also Instrumental in the foundation of The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

This remarkable organisation which he helped create is today providing research, information and on the ground action in the global struggle against COVID19.

Sir Patrick Manson saved countless lives in his own life time, as a result of his research into malaria the numbers of lives saved is countless millions and now nearly 100 years since his death his legacy continues to save many more.

Sir Patrick’s work resonated with us. While Gallowglass Security cannot offer medical expertise, we do support those that can; whether this be supporting the GLA and housing the homeless, working to protect the test facility in Brockwell Park, ensuring the hotels hosting returning travellers are kept safe, or providing expert health and safety advice to up-and-coming events organisations, we are dedicated to helping others, just like Sir Patrick Manson.

A sheaf of paper with the title "Commercial and Facilities Management for Lockdown and Beyond"

Front of House; Building Manager; Security Guard: One person, three jobs

Written by George Oliver on February 23, 2021. Posted in Articles.

Sadly, due to the Pandemic, it is impossible to keep all three roles active. A limited number of staff and visitors are coming into the building; therefore, reception and front of house staff are largely manning empty reception halls. However, checking on the buildings health and ensuring the site is secure remains critical. A burst pipe, running tap, faulty heating system or broken air conditioning units can cause damage to the building and even effect the company’s ability to work remotely, if servers are kept on site.

Asa result, we are seeing increased demand for an individual that can service all three roles; front of house, security and site inspection, at a fraction of the cost.

This has led Gallowglass Security to fill a new and developing service based on our highly experienced and dedicated existing team.

Historically we have always provided more than simply reception or security, many of our team started in security, but have developed significant building management experience as well as Front of House training from our very own, Amr Fadl, a former concierge at The Ritz and Browns Hotel.

While we can provide front of house and security services, we have also trained our team to have a strong technical knowledge and understanding of how buildings work. Through the wider Gallowglass Security team we can pull on resources to solve most problems without fuss.

Our team also has multi building experience and the confidence to start at an unfamiliar property and immediately get to work. They have the expertise to read existing building manuals and standard operating procedures and instinctively know what needs to be delivered and how. They are able to communicate problems to the property manager coherently and effectively. The team can also communicate with contractors regarding remedial work whilst constantly updating the property’s managers.

This unique skill also comes with the added benefit of Gallowglass Security flexibility and response. We are able to deploy with minimal notice and without lengthy minimum contracts. This gives building managers the ability to call on support when and where they most need it for as long or short a time as they require.

Further advantages of the wider Gallowglass Security support comes when things don’t go to plan. When a problem or work overruns we can continue to provide staff. If a leak is not fixed by the end of a shift, we will immediately deploy a fresh team member, we will not simply say “sorry times up I am going home”. We see all our work through to the end.

We offer this service based on years of experience proving the service as reliable, flexible and cost effective for our customers.

Two images side by side showing Gallowglass Security officers on duty at various events.

Gallowglass Security – Regions – Security outside the Capital

Written by Giles Turnbull on February 2, 2021. Posted in Articles.

Gallowglass Security, although headquartered in London, has operated a successful regional security program across the country for over a decade, from North East, North West, Yorkshire and Birmingham to the South of England through to Bristol and down to Cornwall.

Gallowglass Security’s regional practice is over ten years old and led by Gallowglass Security’s Head of Regions, Jaco Nieuwoudt, from his offices in West Yorkshire.

Jaco Nieuwoudt with his trusted 2nd in command John Griffiths

Running a team of up to 80 guards, Jaco has been helping to deliver all Gallowglass Security’s core practices outside of the capital for over a decade, even before he became a Partner and Head of Regions.

COVID-19 has changed the type of business Gallowglass Security is working on, but despite the restrictions the phone continues to ring with new requests and a burgeoning client list, across the company’s business units of Property Security, Events Security and Enforcement.

Jaco said: “Prior to COVID-19, we were undertaking a lot of promotional roadshows with major brands and securing festivals and public events for our clients across the country. More recently we have been working with clients to secure their properties, evict trespassing travellers and undertake VPIs to ensure vacant properties are not being damaged or falling into disrepair.”

Gallowglass Security has been proud to work with Tough Mudder since 2012 across 12 of their events a year; however, during COVID-19, these security guards have re-skilled and utilised their experience to support clients across a range of eviction and property related security services.

Despite the challenges, the regional security team have adapted. Jaco continued: “We pride ourselves on our ability to adapt, our professional, above and beyond approach and our ability to deploy quickly. Client’s are having to adapt quickly under stressful circumstance, which is why we adapt quickly with them. Providing a reassuring, proactive, professional security presence is critical to curing client’s security concerns.”

Utilising Gallowglass Security’s significant Property Security experience, they are now working with a large number of commercial building owners. The types of buildings Gallowglass Security are protecting, include warehouses, commercial property, such as shops and trading estates for estate agents, business owners and administrators, offering VPIs, manned guarding, key holding and alarm response.

Jaco said: “I have always loved the events side of the security business and a personal favourite, as a keen cook, was Foodies Festival. We love seeing the competition and camaraderie at events like Tough Mudder, the joy at The Big Feastival and the energy at all the music festivals we support. We cannot wait to have them back and support them again. However, in the meantime, our skills and training programs have allowed us to adapt and attack the challenges our clients face today, across the country.”

For those that are looking for security solutions, whether it be related to estates and properties, enforcement or events, contact Jaco and his team.

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