Even with guards on site, things can still slip through. And most of the time, it isn’t the person standing at the gate who’s to blame. The real cracks usually come from weak systems, unclear processes, or vendors who aren’t paying attention.
Below, we break down five common, totally fixable mistakes that weaken security guard services. If you’re looking for how to improve security guard service, you’ll also get simple fixes you can start using right away.
Get these pieces in place, and your security team stops being an afterthought. They become a real asset. A team you can trust. A team that works the way you hoped it would!
Mistake 1: Neglecting Regular Supervision and Oversight
When clients take a “set it and forget it” approach, everything starts to slip. Guards get too comfortable. Patrols become predictable. Checklists turn into decoration. And before long, you see late arrivals and empty posts, not to mention minor incidents that no one noticed until they became big ones.
The fix is simple: build actual supervision into the routine. Mix in random spot checks, digital check-ins, and guard tour tracking so every shift has a sense of accountability. Pair field supervisors with remote monitoring tools, and use dashboards that highlight missed check-ins before they turn into bigger issues.
Consistent supervision keeps behaviour sharp, and your security guard services perform the way they should.
Mistake 2: Providing Inadequate or Generic Training
When everyone gets the same basic training, you end up with the same basic performance. A guard who’s perfect for a retail store won’t immediately understand the risks and emergency routes of a corporate campus. That mismatch isn’t harmless, as it creates openings you don’t see until something goes wrong.
The fix is to make the training site-specific. Give guards clear post orders, walk them through real scenarios, and regularly refresh their skills. Teach them the actual risks of that location, the emergency steps, the customer-facing expectations, and how to use on-site tech, such as CCTV or access control.
Real practice beats classroom theory every time. Drills build confidence, and confidence leads to better decisions on the ground. With tailored training, guards can respond well and strengthen your security.
Mistake 3: Failing to Verify Qualifications and Compliance
It is easy to assume the contractor has handled all the vetting. But that assumption can backfire. If a guard is unlicensed or poorly screened, you’re the one exposed to liability and a whole lot of trouble you never saw coming.
The fix is to ask for proof, not promises. Get copies of licences, background checks, medical fitness records, and statutory training certificates from your physical security provider. Review them from time to time, and keep the right to interview or reject any guard before they start on your site.
Verified, compliant staff keep your business safe on paper and on the ground!
Mistake 4: Ignoring Regular Performance Reviews and Feedback
When clients stay silent, vendors assume everything is fine. That’s how small issues linger, grow, and eventually turn into patterns that are much harder to fix.
The solution is to make performance reviews a routine. Here are some tips to improve security guard services:
- Hold monthly or quarterly check-ins with your provider.
- Walk the site together.
- Look at incident trends.
- Discuss grand turnover.
- Track simple KPIs like attendance, response times, and first-call resolution.
- Add client surveys and spot audits to see what’s really happening on the ground.
Steady feedback keeps your physical security provider improving instead of drifting.
Mistake 5: Prioritising Cost Over Quality
Going with the cheapest option feels smart in the moment, but it ends up costing you more. Low pay means poor morale. Weak training means weak performance. Thin supervision means you constantly plug holes rather than preventing them. And high turnover becomes a never-ending cycle.
The fix is to see security as a real investment, not a line item to shrink. Compare vendors based on factors that impact safety, including their training programmes, supervisory tools, SOC support, and quick-response capabilities. These are the things that reduce incidents and protect your site day after day.
When you invest in quality, you lower your actual cost of risk. And your security guard services finally start working the way they should!
MSF: The Quality Partner That Fixes These Mistakes
Weak security seldom begins with the guard on duty. If you want these fixes handled properly, you need a partner with real systems behind them. Modern Veer Rays Security Force (MSF) does precisely that. We close all the gaps that weaken security guard services by pairing strong supervision with site-specific training and strict compliance checks.
Our 24/7 Security Operations Centre provides remote monitoring and helpful analytics. MSF’s PSARA-certified training institute ensures every guard gets solid pre-deployment training and regular refreshers. On-site, we conduct audits, collect client feedback, and follow transparent quality assurance processes. That means guards show up prepared and keep getting better over time.
With the right physical security provider, security stops being a weak spot and becomes one you can rely on every day.
FAQs
1. How often should a site’s security risks be reassessed?
At least once every quarter, and right away after any major incident, operational change, or update to the site. As for the ideal guard-to-supervisor ratio, a good partner keeps roughly one supervisor for every 15 to 20 guards, depending on the site’s risk level.
2. How long does proper pre-deployment training usually take?
Quality providers, such as Modern Veer Rays Security Force, offer 15 to 21 days of structured training, followed by an on-site orientation tailored to your environment. Organisations can measure guard performance by tracking KPIs like attendance, patrol completion, response times, incident closures, and simple client feedback scores.
3. Should guards receive customer service training, too?
Yes. Guards interact with people all day, so communication and fundamental etiquette matter more than most think. However, in certain situations, they keep the legal right to restrain someone in the event of an active threat or crime.
4. Does Modern Veer Rays Security Force help with security audits?
Yes. Our security survey and consulting team identifies gaps and builds a structured improvement plan that includes access control, CCTV, and SOC monitoring, with trained guards. We provide PSARA-certified training and pan-India supervision to ensure consistent quality.