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Polish your reading glasses

October is going to be a month of reading for Hi-Tech Security Solutions readers. Not only do we have our October issue jam packed with information on almost every aspect of the security market in Africa and the world, but we have also managed to finish our Access & Identity Management Handbook on time – which is a bit of a miracle in itself.

If you thought your Hi-Tech Security Solutions package was a bit heavier this month it is because we have bundled the Access & Identity Management Handbook together with Hi-Tech Security Solutions, giving you nearly 200 pages of information you will not find anywhere else in Africa.

And that is not all. October also sees the launch of our new website. Not only does it have a new look-and-feel to make it easier to read, we have also expanded the sections to provide better navigation. The search functionality has also been updated to better serve our readers.

You will also notice a prominent link to the Hi-Tech Security Business Directory, which allows you to search for security companies or products. It is not a boast to say the Directory is the most comprehensive listing of security companies, products and services in South Africa.

And for those of you who like surfing via your mobiles, when you go to the Hi-Tech Security Solutions site from a cellphone or tablet, you will automatically see the mobile version of the site. This version is dramatically simplified to ensure quick loading of web pages over slow cellular connections. Of course, should you need the functionality of the full site, there is a link to return you to the main site.

We welcome your comments and criticisms; we are always on the lookout for ways to improve our web offering to better serve users. Happy October reading.

On a darker note

Hi-Tech Security Solutions recently received an e-mail from a security guard who was concerned about how much he had to pay in PSIRA fees. This guard asked whether his employer was supposed to deduct over R50 per month in fees. We forwarded the e-mail to SASA which responded “the employer is entitled to deduct an amount of R7,00 every month from your monthly salary as the PSIRA fees, not R56,00. Such an amount is illegal. You can report the matter to the Dept of Labour.”

The matter is being addressed with PSIRA.

It seems there are still a bunch of unethical crooks operating in this industry and I would remind people using a security company for anything service that it is illegal to use a company that is not registered with PSIRA. You, the buyer are liable if you do.

Making sure you and your company use registered service providers is not only a legal issue, it is also a moral and ethical issue. At least exploited workers such as the one above have some recourse if their employer is registered.

And perhaps it is worth considering who you want guarding your person and assets: an individual who is treated ethically and fairly, or someone who knows he/she is being exploited and feels that turning a blind eye is acceptable since his employer is basically a criminal as well? When something happens, it is your person and assets that are affected, the security company loses nothing.

Andrew Seldon – Editor

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