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ATM "skimming” is an illegal activity that results in millions of dollars of theft annually from unsuspecting card holders worldwide. It is a two phase process in which criminals steal information from an ATM card’s magnetic strip and the associated Personal Identification (PIN) number. Though it is a common crime, a card holder who is aware of this danger and knows what signs to look for can protect himself and his wallet.

Data centers, whether self-owned and managed or operated by a third party, are built to be secure environments. But successful daily operations require the attentive eye of well-trained, experienced security teams to help ensure that data is secure and employees are safe. This sensitive environment requires a specialized security team.

Hollywood has not been kind or accurate in its comedic portrayal of the security officer. Films such as Mall Cop and Observe and Report depict far more fiction than fact. In reality, security officers are diligent, highly trained men and women who act as first responders. Security officers have a wide range of training and skills and must be prepared to respond to everything from a fire or a medical emergency to a lost child or a power failure. They are often put in high-risk situations as they confront and detain criminals engaged in unlawful behavior.

Recent high-profile media stories, such as CNN’s “Hired Guns”, have focused attention on our country’s patchwork of regulations governing the hiring and training of private security officers. While sensationalized, these stories spotlight a serious issue: Inadequate and inconsistent regulatory standards can open the door for the hiring of armed and unarmed security officers who are ill-trained and unfit for their role. 

Businesses spend $170 billion annually on costs associated with occupational injuries and illnesses, which are expenditures that come straight out of corporate profits. Workplaces that have established safety and security cultures can reduce their injury and illness costs by 20 to 40%. Even more important than cost is the fundamental need to protect employees. Employee well-being as well as employee retention and brand protection are tied to workplace safety.
 

With the modern job market’s constant evolution, it is important for employers to establish strong relationships with university career centers to help build their talent pool and find high-quality candidates. The relationship between career centers and employers does not need to be a formally documented partnership; however, it is a traditional partnership based on mutual respect and constant communication. 
 

At chemical, petrochemical and utilities sites where safety is the constant top priority, the standard approach to security is anything but standard. The security approach needs to be safety first. An effective program engages security professionals and supervisors in setting a positive example and communicating the importance of individual and team safety. The program must demonstrate active concern for the safety of employees, contractors and visitors.

In today’s marketplace, value is a popular topic of conversation. Particularly within service industries, value is one of the most critical considerations when choosing a provider. But why is it so important? What does delivering value really bring to the table?

How far does your safety program reach? What scenarios are accounted for in your emergency preparedness planning? Have you considered solutions necessary to protect your employees and keep your business running?

Attitudes toward safety and health training vary greatly from company to company. Some organizations value training and others do not invest in it beyond regulatory compliance. Where does your organization fall? 

Providing effective health, safety and environmental (HSE) training for employees ensures that they know how to work safely. Federal and state regulations require employees to receive certain safety training and to be informed about health and safety risks as well as potential workplace hazards.