Retail News July/August (interview)

22|Retail News|July/August 2014|www.retailnews.ie

The Retail News Interview

Securing Your Livelihood Sheenagh McCullagh, President of the Irish Security Industry Association, talks us through new security legislation and what it means for retailers.

SHEENAGH McCullagh of Stanley Security Ireland was elected the first female president of the Irish Security Industry Association (ISIA) in 2013 and this year saw her re-elected for a further term. In an exclusive interview, she discusses the key security changes that retailers should consider, new security legislation and what it means for retailers and the recent spate of high profile robberies.

On a personal level, how did you feel when you were elected the first female president of the ISIA in 2013, and when you were re-elected this year?

It was a huge honour to be elected as President of the ISIA. It is a longestablished association with over 40 year of history promoting quality of service and standards within the private security industry. It is a privilege to lead an association which drives positive change and acts as a voice for the industry. I am truly enjoying representing our members.

How do you balance your work for the ISIA with your day-job in Stanley Security Ireland?

Balancing our work is something we all have to do in the workplace and time management is key to that. However, I depend hugely on the Communications Director at the ISIA, Sarah O’Donnell,

to ensure that we manage the work that is required to achieve our strategic direction. The members of the ISIA’s Council of Management are also critical to the success of the association. They are the elected representatives of the eight divisions of the ISIA. Each council member drives the work that is most important to their division. They are instrumental not only in the successes of the ISIA, but to the success of the industry overall.

What are the key changes in security that retailers should consider in 2014?

The economic downturn has seen an increased level of strain on security budgets, meaning solutions are needed to reduce direct immediate costs, reduce ongoing costs and still add increased flexibility to security and loss prevention solutions.

Within the technical side of the

industry, there has been a significant development in capability from traditional analogue to IP based solutions and this can be challenging for buyers to understand the differing capabilities now available to them.

High resolution IP cameras can provide many benefits through enhanced image quality, providing detailed evidence of any incidents that may occur. IP cameras can be integrated with existing legacy cameras and can work out more cost effective than maintaining older analogue systems. With the new IP CCTV solutions that are coming through, the days of the conventional DVR are numbered, as centrally hosted and Digital CCTV recording gives Loss Prevention Managers and business owners high definition visual store access at the click of button from anywhere in the world via a laptop, PDA or smart phone.

Retail News|July/August 2014|www.retailnews.ie|23

The Retail News Interview Getting added value from your security system to maximise return on your investment is critical. All retail outlets can benefit from electronic security installations from a security perspective as well as secondary uses, such as stock management and people counting. CCTV systems can solve many practical problems that retailers face: for example, you now have the ability to view footage remotely so that a manager can view and monitor live camera footage from home or other locations.

and you should also consider using a time delay if there is the potential for a hold up during business hours. Having a security guard on site allows for real time response that technology does not always allow for.

What advice would you give to a retailer, particularly a grocery retailer who may be open unsociable hours, regarding security systems?

Although round-the-clock retail has become more commonplace, the sector has probably been There are a number of legislative slow in adapting to the fresh changes which have come and security challenges that such an are coming into force: can you operation brings. By adopting summarise them for us? an open-minded and innovative Within electronic security, approach to security technology, it is now a requirement to retailers can reduce their risks only source alarm, CCTV and and respond faster when crime access control installations and does occur. maintenance services from a Aside from the more licensed security contractor. This traditional alarm and CCTV Sheenagh McCullagh, ISIA President, pictured addressing is a change from only having to solutions, newer technology use licensed contractors for alarm the Irish Security Industry Association Awards. such as lone worker protection installations. devices or panic alarms are A further change is in the company could easily claim that also becoming increasingly area of Cash-in-Transit. Up until last you are not insured if you employ popular in a retail setting. Equipped year, only the security companies had an unlicensed guard, an unlicensed with mobile phone technology, such to be licensed. Now all CIT operatives contractor to install or maintain your devices can connect employees quickly must have a license. Retailers will have electronics systems or to collect your and discreetly with an emergency visual evidence that the individual or cash. response. Lone worker devices provide individuals collecting their cash hold a retail employees with peace of mind valid license from the PSA. There have been a number of high and added protection and can also help In the next year or so, retailers profile retail robberies in recent retailers to mitigate business risk and should also be aware that locksmiths, months. Why do you think that is? along with installers of safes, will need minimise both the reputational and The Exchequer is currently losing to hold a license. Getting into the habit financial impact of crime as a result. €861m per year as a result of black of dealing with licensed providers and This is particularly relevant where market retail activity. Some of this speaking to their current contractors to retail employees are required to work activity is ‘theft to order’. Organised ensure they are prepared for licensing alone as this exposes employees to an crime gangs are taking advantage will help retailers to ensure they are increased risk from robbery or violence, of our economic situation and poor compliant when licensing does come in particularly now that retail outlets are security in the retail environment to for this sector of private security. maximise their own illegal profits. open for longer hours and staff take on In understanding this, I believe that additional tasks that take them away What does this mean for businesses, retailers should be investing in their from the point of sale. particularly retail businesses, who security solutions and loss prevention I would also advise retailers to are hiring security firms, be they plans to minimise the risk of robberies. engage with local An Garda Síochána locksmiths, security guards, alarm in relation to local crime prevention installers, CCTV suppliers etc?

What is the best way to dissuade advice.

It is not only illegal to carry out potential burglars from your Whilst the retail industry may have installations and maintenance if you premises? a more positive outlook than in past don’t have a license, but the business There are a number of ways. Obvious years, retail theft and shrinkage will procuring the services could face security presence such as CCTV continue to be a challenge for many penalties if they source services from cameras and intruder alarm boxes retail businesses. Many retailers are unlicensed contractors. Doing so is a provide an effective visual deterrent under pressure to reduce staffing costs clear breach of the legislation. to any unwanted attention. Use of and remain more customer centric. window stickers and warning boards The high cost of ownership of security How important is it to ensure that any to highlight that the site is protected technology is an issue for many security supplier you use is registered/ is extremely useful. Also, having good retailers in particular. However, there licensed? practice with stock management and are some licensed contractors who will Extremely, otherwise you risk storage. Other areas that should be offer flexible payment terms that will prosecution against the Private considered include having a correctly avoid any large capital investment.

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