Major new study into client views of security launched

OCS, the largest privately owned property support services company in the UK, is supporting the three-year research, the results of which are hoped will lead to more effective security in businesses, based on sound knowledge of what works and what doesn’t. The study will assess clients’ views of security, the value attached to security, and security effectiveness.

Professor Gill said: “Even when businesses take security seriously, I have found it is based on a poor understanding of what is effective. Business crime is at a high despite a plethora of security measures. The fact is that as offenders get smarter, so should we.”

The study, called the Security Research Initiative, is supported by ASIS International, the BSIA, and The Security Institute. It is comprised of three annual studies, the first of which focuses on clients’ views of security.

“This is a unique opportunity to better understand the security sector,” Professor Gill said. “That top quality companies have given their support is indicative o the need for such a study. Our aim is to generate new insights and to better understand the role of security in a changing world. We are starting with a project on clients’ views, and then we are moving on to consider the value of security, and the effectiveness of security measures.”

Chris Cracknel, chief executive at OCS, said: “We at OCS see this as an excellent opportunity to enable us to assess the clients’ view of security. The study will benefit clients such as councils, leisure centres, schools and colleges, who can learn from the outcomes of the research.”