Private security firms and terrorist threat profiling in the United States

¶ … Private Security Threats: Terrorist Profiling

Security is an invaluable asset to the society. The U.S. government has instituted various measures aimed at bolstering the security of its citizens and ensuring that they are comfortable in whatever they are doing. Oftentimes, the government has to outsource of the services to private entities. Some individuals also contract private entities because they consider them as effective and efficient in terms of services delivery and accountability. Such dynamics has seen the rise of private security in the U.S. And globally (Lyon, 2005). Perhaps, the increase in terror threats has made many governments and individual to procure the services of private security firms because of the in surveillance and undercover operations. This study has focused on St. Moritz Security Services based in Pittsburg, Securitas Security Services based in Chicago, and Allied Barton Security Services based in Pennsylvania.

The three are classified as licensed private security firms operating in continental U.S.. The establishment of the firms is premised on the need to preserve peace in residential areas, private businesses, national and local events among others.

St. Moritz Security Services

This company operates in almost all the states and offers diverse surveillance and undercover services according to the needs of their customers. Their guards are tasked with the responsibility of operating and patrolling various facilities thereby thwarting possible criminal activities. They also pride of themselves for detecting suspicious activities related to crime and threatening to their clients. They offer surveillance and undercover services besides responding and reporting accidents and medical disasters. The company prides itself as offering tailor-made services satisfactory to its clientele in relation to the security guard, loss prevention, jewelry escort, ATM escort, Investigative services, and special events services. Most of its clients include hospitals, schools, retail stores, and individuals holding special events.

Allied Barton Security Services

This is another company whose services are felt across the U.S. With its surveillance and undercover operations, the company prides itself for its qualified staff. They play a critical role in providing tailored solutions with the use of latest and efficient technologies. The industries served include healthcare, financial institutions, defense and aerospace, colleges and universities, residential communities, and government premises among others. They are famous for temporary and private securities. Their "dare be great" philosophy has seen the company grow in terms of size in the U.S. currently, the company has over sixty thousand employees all trained to protect the interests of the clientele via undercover services and surveillance.

It is important to appreciate the role of private security companies and the industry in enhancing the security and safety of American citizens. If the government were to undertake such duties alone, various infrastructural systems and lives of people would have been destroyed. The three companies identified herein have been shown to be offering services all tailored to suit the needs of their clients. The dynamics in the industry has seen many of the firms like those identified here adopting the use of information security in their security services. It is premised in the fact that many criminals and terrorists have also adopted sophisticated methodologies. In case the companies fail to do so, they will be rendered useless, and they will cease being operational. Some of the personnel may be armed or unarmed depending o the nature of their functions and the extent of threats they seek to subvert. Some of the services can also be contractual or proprietary all determines by the quality and length of operations. Under surveillance, most of the firms use CCTV cameras and other gadgets with enhance their remote responses whilst protecting the interest of their clients (Lyon, 2005).

It is important to appreciate the improved partnership and relationship between private and public security agencies in the recent past. The collaboration between the two sectors has fostered the sharing of intelligence. It has resulted in enhance security operations. When the performance of the companies is analyzed, it is evident that their revenue has increased. This shows that their services are being adopted slowly and widely. It also shows that people are becoming weary of their security especially with the rise of terror threats in the U.S. And around the globe (Dempsey, 2010). The use of private security agencies has fostered the profiling of terrorists via their undercover and surveillance services. At this point, the concern is for the government to provide all the necessary support through legislation and policies so that security can be enhanced further.