When discussing a company’s security needs with executives, I often ask about their current setup, and the response is usually, “One person at a desk, 24/7.” When I ask how they determined this is sufficient, the answer is often, “It’s always been that way.” I follow up by asking, “Is the person armed?” and if the response is no, I ask, “What if something bad happens?” they typically reply, “We call the police.”

I then point out that the average police response time is around 7½ minutes, while an active shooter can fire 15 rounds in just 4.5 seconds. That means 450 rounds could be fired before the police arrive. Without proper on-site security assets, public safety can’t make a measurable difference in the outcome. It’s not the police’s fault—they just can’t get there on time.

Investing in quality security isn’t a cost—it’s an investment. Security decisions shouldn’t be made as if security were a commodity. To convince executives to treat security seriously, they need to see meaningful metrics. “You can’t measure everything, but you can measure a lot,” I explain.

We review reports, including police reports, to see if there’s been a loss. Each property has its own risk profile, and moving a business to a different location can change that. That’s why a security management survey is critical to determine the specific risks and tailor a plan for that area.

For instance, if a business has ongoing car break-ins, implementing measures that reduce this by 50% is a positive result. But to improve further, we need to analyze locations and times of day to find patterns scientifically. Companies that use untrained traditional guards either don’t understand or don’t care about security. They aren’t taking risks—they’re gambling.

If they’re not willing to arm their security and provide proper training, they should consider rebranding their guards as greeters or ambassadors because they won’t be able to protect anyone.

To drive this point home, I worked with a potential client to calculate the value of a life based on their security spending and employee count. it came out to $145 per person. This raises a critical question: what is the value of a life? Some leaders refuse to face this truth, but in today’s world, it’s essential to address the core issue: the safety of employees, the public, and the business. Security isn’t a commodity; it’s a solution, and that solution requires investing in training and the responsibilities of your security team.

Ultimately, the responsibility falls on business leaders to make the right decisions. I recommend having open discussions with partners, law enforcement, and security consultants to determine the best options. Every situation is unique, and the risk profile of one location can significantly impact your security decisions. A serious conversation about security is necessary to avoid becoming another statistic on the news at night.