Power to the people!

The recent global IT outage highlights the importance of having a good team of people behind you…

As I write, the sun has FINALLY emerged in the sky appearing from behind those pesky clouds! After weeks of waiting, it seems like summer might actually be here. Great to enjoy or in the shade, but not so much if you are stuck in open sunshine in a guarding uniform. And it’s not just our security guards that are feeling the heat… In need of a cool-down, my colleague Scott took his young daughter and her friend out to grab some ice lollies. Being only a stone’s throw from RAF Brize Norton, they happened upon some officers from the royal motorcade stopped at the filling station.

The poor officers were sweating buckets in their motorcycle leathers and police jackets! So, what did Scott do? He bought frozen treats for all the officers on duty of course!

They were thrilled and even let the kids sit on their bikes – how cool is that?! Speaking of Brize Norton, it’s been a busy week with VIPs and dignitaries flying in for the European Political Community Meeting at Blenheim Palace. My mate at the air base said he was surprised to see President Macron arrive in a private jet – especially since the official presidential plane was also making the trip. I’m told this unusual move highlights the significant safety concerns currently surrounding the world leaders. I can always rely on Pete (not his real name!) for some juicy inside intel!

In this rapidly changing world, safety feels more precarious than ever. The recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump was a jarring reminder of this. Whatever your political views, I think we can all agree there’s no room for violence. It’s a sobering thought that we live in such a dangerous age, but it was great to see some new crime and data security bills included in the recent King’s Speech. The Crime and Policing Bill, which will make assaulting shopworkers a specific crime, is particularly welcome. As is the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, which is designed to bolster our online defences. But what happens when the technology does fail?

We all witnessed the chaos following the worldwide IT glitch that brought planes, banks, GP surgeries and even Sky News to a grinding halt. Biometric passport checks went out the window, as major airports like Heathrow had to revert to doing things the old fashioned way – which actually involved people doing stuff! It was a stark reminder that whilst technology is integral to the modern world, it’s people who save the day when systems fall over. You can have the best tech in the world, but ultimately a good team will always be the foundation of any successful operation. And that’s why, as I explained in last week’s article, we go the extra mile to take care of our staff.

You might also remember from last week’s article, that we were preparing for our three-day ACS (Approved Contractor Scheme) audit…

Well, I’m thrilled to reveal we’ve been ranked in the top 3% of all security companies in the UK! That literally puts us at around 26th place out of 850 or so accredited firms. And that doesn’t take into account the thousands of other security businesses that don’t make the cut for joining the ACS Scheme. Let’s be clear, this isn’t a rubber-stamping exercise. Whilst it’s true some security firms can get the accreditation by simply paying a nominal fee, because they’re so small, this certainly isn’t the case for larger companies like Advantage One.

For a business of our size to score 130 out of 145 points on an ACS audit speaks volumes about how we treat and train our staff, as well as our approach to things like sustainability and fair wages. Whether it’s the police officers sweating in their gear at Brize Norton, the tech gurus fixing an IT glitch, or the airport staff managing the fallout, success hinges on human dedication and expertise. So, next time you’re considering security services, look for a company that’s in the upper echelons of the ACS.

Better still, just call us!