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Raising the standard in the security industry

ADT, a relative newcomer to the local security market, has made considerable inroads into the industry - recently winning two prestigious PMR awards and enjoying a steady growth in both its residential and corporate client bases. The company is part of the largest security company in the world, the Tyco Fire & Security Group, and virtually doubled in size last year when it acquired Sentry Security.

Today, ADT Security comprises three divisions - Alarm Monitoring, Armed Response and Guarding - who work on their own or in combination to offer the company's clients the best available solution to their particular security problems.

According to the company's managing director, Danna Strydom, the key differentiator in armed response is the operational ability of the response fleet. ADT, therefore, concentrates its efforts on its people and their training with a core focus on monitoring and response to alarm activations. To provide the most effective solution training and synergy between the various divisions is encouraged.

ADT Security offers the corporate, commercial, residential and domestic markets a total, customised and effective security solution backed by state-of-the-art technology and committed, professional staff

"We place a lot of emphasis on staff training and selection. This involves checking job applicant's profiles to detect any possible security risks and running an ongoing system, known as the 'Big Five', which encourages professionalism, honourable action, reliability, competence and a pro-active attitude among our staff," says Strydom.

These 'Big Five' core principles are the basics of behaviour expected of ADT personnel. They are adapted to suit specific job requirements and this effectively 'moulds' personnel to suit the positions they are appointed to.

On passing, the applicants are offered a sound career path with a clear line to promotion and advancement as well as a well-developed training programme providing staff with the tools and incentives they need to give their best while on the job. There are no second chances in security - particularly armed response. ADT knows this and ensures that the best people, the most suited people, are selected for the job. Armed response and guarding personnel undergo psychometric testing. On passing, the applicants must complete an induction course and the guards undergo further, on-site training. Both guards and armed response officers have to be registered by the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (SIRA).

In addition to first-class personnel, ADT Security makes use of state-of-the-art technology to ensure the company offers its clients the best security solutions available on the market. Again, the synergy between the divisions offers the most seamless, effective solution available.

The company has also addressed the problem of unqualified alarm technicians as no training course specifically for alarm technicians was previously offered by the educational institutions. ADT Security, in conjunction with seven South African Technikons and the security sector SETA, have however, developed a learnership programme that will now qualify technical personnel in this area.

Since the course started late last year, 154 trainees have joined the programme. This multimillion rand investment is particularly significant in terms of empowerment as 95% of the trainees are drawn from communities previously not given the opportunities to participate in the industry (this includes women). The trainees are employed by ADT who also pays their tuition costs.

Guarding plays a pivotal role in the ADT 'mix'. This venture has a number of blue chip clients and selects only the best guards for this front line and highly visible form of security. The company's customised guarding services in the commercial, corporate, industrial and domestic sectors operates in collaboration with the armed response services and technical support division, enabling ADT Security to offer the market a comprehensive and effective security package.

Historically, ADT has focused on the residential market. This has however, changed significantly over the past year. The company has established a dedicated key accounts division for its corporate clients and it hones in on the advantages of CCTV and technology in the commercial market. Says Strydom; "We see the corporate market as a logistic step because we have an excellent response product which goes hand-in-hand with our guarding business."

With Tyco's backing, ADT Security has access to a pool of the latest technologies and trends. With this knowledge and expertise at its disposal, and its local strategic programmes in place, ADT Security has all the ingredients to become a leading security provider in the country offering South African citizens and businesses complete solutions to their specific security problems.

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