Companies May Be Overspending Millions on Security Decisions Uninformed by Data
Organizations across various sectors are increasingly investing heavily in security measures, particularly in hiring security guards. However, many of these companies may find themselves in a situation where they are spending millions without a thorough understanding of how effective these expenditures are in relation to actual crime risks. A recent statement from CAP Index sheds light on this pressing issue, emphasizing the importance of data-driven approaches to security spending.
The Challenge of Overspending
Every year, companies dedicate substantial budgets to employ security guards, often yielding little clarity on the actual guarding needs across their locations. CAP Index, a leader in crime risk forecasting and security analytics, reports that this trend is causing many organizations to overspend without insight into whether their resources are effectively allocated. According to the company, many firms operate on gut feelings rather than objective data, which can lead to misallocation—some areas receive excessive guarding while others remain vulnerable.
Introducing Guard Optimization Analysis
To combat this challenge, CAP Index offers a solution known as Guard Optimization Analysis. This process draws upon over 37 years of experience in crime risk projection and manages guard spending that exceeds $1 billion. Developed by experts in criminology and data analysis, this analysis provides a critical comparison between current guard expenditure and actual crime occurrences at various organizational sites. By utilizing such data, organizations can ascertain whether they are over- or under-guarding specific locations, ultimately leading to more informed decision-making.
Key Benefits of Data-Driven Analysis
1.
Objective Mapping: The analysis allows security teams to visualize guard deployment against concrete crime risk data, helping to identify areas that may require more or less security presence.
2.
Efficiency Identification: It reveals inefficiencies in current guarding practices, enabling companies to streamline their operations and cut unnecessary costs.
3.
Strengthened Budget Requests: Security leaders can bolster their budget proposals with data-supported reports, providing solid grounding for their requests.
4.
Resource Reallocation: With the insights garnered from these analyses, organizations can strategically reallocate their security resources, maximizing overall protection while minimizing expenditures.
Mike Lamb, a long-time CAP Index client and a respected leader in the asset protection space, shared how Guard Optimization Analysis transformed his strategy towards security guarding. According to Lamb, the analysis has reshaped perspectives not only on spending but also on the rationale behind security deployments. He noted,
“While historical incidents sometimes justified guard deployments, this analysis also revealed how many of our decisions were based on tradition or vocal opinions rather than actual crime risk.”
The Bottom Line: Informed Decisions Lead to Better Outcomes
As Dr. Casey Harris, the Vice President of Crime Risk Modeling at CAP Index pointed out, understanding how guarding expenditure aligns with crime risk is vital. Armed with objective data, organizations can confidently allocate their resources, improving both security outcomes and the financial performance of their operations.
By recognizing and addressing the over-reliance on assumptions in security spending, companies can protect their assets more effectively while also managing costs. For businesses looking to refine their security strategies through data, CAP Index offers resources including free guarding assessments to kickstart the optimization process.
For more information about CAP Index and its offerings, visit their website at
capindex.com.