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National provider of contract security guard services

HOW TECHNOLOGY ADDS VALUE TO SECURITY SERVICES

The foundation of good security is good people, and that’s always been the focus at Sunstates Security. At the same time, we’re always looking for opportunities to help our people provide even How Technology Adds Value to Security Services post imagemore value. That’s why we partner with proven experts as needed and we employ the best technology to enhance and extend what our security officers are doing. This policy allows us to apply best practices from a wide range of industries to enhance client security programs.

“We apply the concept of ‘dog fooding,’ where you should never promote or sell something that you’ve never tasted yourself,” says Sunstates President Glenn Burrell, CPP. “We identify a strategic partner and use their product or service to better understand its capabilities and limitations so we’re able to advise our clients on whether it’s an appropriate answer to their problem.”

New Solutions for Common Problems
Some of the technology we use is behind the scenes: our clients won’t necessarily know we’re using it. Some is more client facing. We constantly review the available technological solutions and work with trusted partners to employ the best solutions on clients’ behalf.

• Proximity Readers and License Plate Recognition Software. Many facilities, such as corporate/school campuses and residential communities, have a high volume of both regular traffic (e.g., residents, students, employees, etc.) and visitors (e.g., guests, vendors, etc.) driving in. We know what systems can most efficiently read a tag or other device from the front of a vehicle as it approaches a gate, allowing quicker entry. Pairing such technology with license plate recognition software can confirm identity.
• Key Tethers. A key tether connects a key (or set of keys) with another device and provides an instant alert when, say, keys are detached from a belt. We often also attach a GPS tile to find separated keys. Clients frequently entrust us with the keys to their facilities, and we have a critical responsibility to take care of their keys, regardless of cost. Key control is critical to our clients’ safety and well-being.
• KnoxBoxes. Many property management clients have maglocks on their doors because they’re convenient: access cards can be easily programmed to control access for individual employees. But those doors will lock down in a power outage. While they can be opened from the inside, authorized personnel cannot enter the facility, even with an access card. We’ve found a solution by using KnoxBoxes, which uses a master key—available for security or management—to open those doors manually.
• Mass Notification Systems. We partnered with Punch Technologies to offer clients the Punch Alert emergency communication platform. The system allows individuals to report emergencies and safety hazards through a smartphone app. In addition, the platform permits two-way communication during an incident, so users can submit information and responders can issue mass updates.

We evaluate new technology constantly to find solutions that provide a higher level of security and convenience to our clients. Technology will never replace the eyes and ears of trained security officers, but it can help them do their jobs better every day.

Do you have a challenging security issue that’s keeping you awake at night? Contact Sunstates Security at 866-710-2019 or email us. We’ll help you find a solution.

2018 WINNERS OF 50 FASTEST GROWING WOMEN-OWNED/LED COMPANIES ANNOUNCED BY WOMEN PRESIDENTS’ ORGANIZATION

 Sunstates Security Recognized at 11TH Annual Awards Ceremony Held in Los Angeles

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Image for Women's Presidents' Organization PostRaleigh, N.C. – May 23, 2018 – The Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO) has announced the 11th annual ranking of the 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies during the WPO Annual Conference held this year in Los Angeles. The companies featured on this year’s 50 Fastest list include a variety of industries — such as technology, finance, retail and entrepreneurial ventures. With aggregate revenues of $8.3 billion, this number is up $1 billion from last year’s ranking.

Kathryn Burrell, CEO, Sunstates Security based in Raleigh, N.C. has been ranked 47th among this year’s WPO 50 Fastest-Growing list.

Kathryn co-founded Sunstates Security with Glenn Burrell in 1998 and is active in every aspect of the company’s operation. Her role is critical in giving support to internal corporate functions and attending to vital client expectations of responsiveness and efficiency. Before launching the privately owned Sunstates Security, Kathryn was working as a partner in a multimillion-dollar, family business in the UK.

Sunstates Security is an industry leader with a differentiated approach to providing quality contract security services to Fortune 500 companies, municipalities and small business entities throughout the United States. Sunstates has millions of hours of contract security experience, and all the resources and strength you expect from the largest providers, but our organization is uniquely structured to ensure consistently superior, client-centric service at the local level, with over 2,000 employees nationwide.

“Since 2007, the WPO launched the listing of the 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies to focus much-needed attention on the vital role that women-owned/led companies have in boosting the economy and enhancing overall job growth,” notes WPO President and Founder Dr. Marsha Firestone. “We are proud that Kathryn is among the unique women business leaders facing challenges yet rising to accelerate the growth of her business in today’s consistently growing economic landscape.”

All eligible companies were ranked according to a sales growth formula, combining percentage and absolute growth. To qualify for the ranking, businesses are required to be privately-held, woman-owned/led companies and have reached annual revenue of at least $500,000 as of January 1, 2018. Applicants are not required to be WPO members.

Additional facts about the 2018 WPO 50 Fastest:

– Average age of women-owner/leader is 51; with half of the winners in their 30’s and 40’s
– Aggregate revenue is $8.3 billion, up $1 billion from last year
– Average 2017 revenue was $165.3 million
– Average number of employees on first day: 13; projected average for 2018: 799
– Funding sources at company start:
70% with their own funds
12% with funds from friends and family
4% with a bank loan
8% with a line of credit
4% with a credit card
4% with private investors/angels

The WPO is the premier peer advisory organization connecting women who own multi-million dollar companies. In monthly meetings across six continents, chapters of 20 women presidents from diverse industries invest time and energy in themselves and their businesses to drive their corporations to the next level. Local WPO chapters are coordinated by a professional facilitator and meet monthly to share business expertise and experience in a confidential setting. For more information, contact 212-688-4114 or visit www.womenpresidentsorg.com. Follow the WPO on Twitter @womenpresidents and Facebook @TheWPO.

Contact:
Andrea Pass
Marketing Maven
Andrea@MarketingMaven.com
646-661-2203 Office
201-873-6087 Mobile

Susan Johnson
Women Presidents’ Organization
sjohnson@womenpresidentsorg.com
(212) 688-4114 Office
(917) 601-5778 Mobile

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SUNSTATES SECURITY CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF SERVICE

RALEIGH-BASED SECURITY FIRM REPRESENTS FOUNDERS’ REALIZATION OF AMERICAN DREAM

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RALEIGH, N.C., April 4, 2018—Sunstates Security, one of the nation’s fastest-growing providers of uniformed security services, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. While the company officially incorporated in October 1997, it wasn’t until March 1998 that founder and president Glenn Burrell left his homeland of England to pursue his childhood dream of living in the United States.

Today, Sunstates Security employs more than 2,200 men and women in 22 states. In addition, the company has achieved organic, double-digit growth for the past five years, at a time when most security firms rely on acquisitions for expansion.

Glenn Burrell arrived in Raleigh, N.C., with 20 years of experience at Scotland Yard and a business connection in North Carolina. As he made connections in the business community, his wife, Kathryn, remained in the UK, working as a partner in a multimillion-dollar, family business, while raising two young children.

“It was brutal to be away from my family,” recalls Glenn. “For a year and a half, they would visit during school holidays. The geographic distance was terribly challenging, but Kathy and I refused to fail. We had worked too hard and sacrificed too much.”

The company’s two-decade track record speaks for itself. Not only does Sunstates Security continue to provide security at its first-ever account, but the current client contact at this facility originally served as a third-shift security officer for Sunstates. She advanced to site supervisor and was recruited by the client organization, again working her way through the ranks to become facility manager.

“Over the years, we’ve heard a number of people say they’re ‘intrigued’ by Sunstates,” says CEO Kathryn Burrell. “Initially, they were intrigued by our accents, by Glenn’s years at Scotland Yard and by our journey from the UK to North Carolina. Now they’re intrigued by our success and what makes us tick.”

About Sunstates Security
Based in Raleigh, N.C., Sunstates Security provides uniformed security personnel and security consulting services to clients throughout the United States. The company is certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Greater Business Women’s Council, a regional certifying partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

Contact Information
Denis Kelly
Sunstates Security
http://www.SunstatesSecurity.com
919-987-1403

 

 

4 NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS FOR SECURITY DIRECTORS

As we start the New Year, most of us have personal and professional goals to which we aspire. For security professionals, we recommend the following resolutions to help make 2018 a successful, uneventful one for your organization.

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1. Update and test the business continuity plan (BCP). Beyond the dangers of a national emergency, every organization needs a current, robust plan to recover from a crisis. In recent years, companies across the country have experienced disruption from weather emergencies. Advances in cloud computing and increasingly remote workforces are two developments that can have a dramatic impact on a BCP. The breakneck pace at which technology continues to transform business practices makes annual review and testing of BCPs more important than ever. Today, the plan should include procedures that apprise organizations of employees’ whereabouts—particularly when key personnel are traveling. Putting a plan on paper is not enough; companies need to conduct a tabletop exercise and drill at least annually.

2. Establish (or enhance) an active shooter policy. Every company should have at least a basic policy that is communicated to employees. The U.S. Department of Homeland Safety publishes a guide that organizations can use as a starting point. In reviewing the active shooter policy, security directors need to keep in mind that the threat has increased. More shooters are forgoing handguns in favor of assault weapons. By the time police arrive, the assault is typically over. Contingency plans should include safe rooms where employees can retreat. In addition, organizations need clear guidelines regarding who closes and locks the door and when. Similar to BCPs, active shooter plans should also be tested annually with a combination of tabletop and live drills.

3. Ensure vendor compliance with internal screening standards. Many organizations have strict background screening standards for their employees but don’t extend those requirements to vendors that provide contract or temporary personnel. As some companies have learned through repeated incidents and infractions, external partners may perform minimum screening to fulfill a vague contractual obligation. Outline the basic requirements for vendor background screenings in the security policy. At a minimum, service agreements should include this specific language. Preferably, the host organization should identify a trusted third party to ensure consistent screening standards for all on-site personnel.

4. Perform penetration testing at key locations. While security protocols may appear iron-clad on paper, most are surprisingly easy to overcome. Resolve this year to put access control to the test: inspect perimeter fencing, check for blind spots in CCTV monitoring. Internal personnel can conduct preliminary testing, but organizations should consider contracting a qualified third party for unbiased reporting. Testing should focus on vulnerable entry points, testing the physical, human and technological aspects of the security program.

For information on how Sunstates Security can help your organization implement these resolutions, call 866-710-2019 or email us.

SECURITY OPERATIONS CENTERS: MORE ACCESSIBLE THAN EVER

As technology becomes more sophisticated, more affordable and more compatible, an increasing number of organizations are developing security operations centers, or SOCs, to support their security programs. In fact, Sunstates Security has partnered with companies to manage these command centers both locally and internationally.

Benefits of GSOCs

No longer restricted to spy thrillers and global mega-corporations, SOCs allow small-to-medium enterprises to leverage technology in expanding their security capabilities, while reducing headcount.

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• Universal protocols. Managing security operations from a SOC makes it easier for large companies to apply security standards across their organizations. Controlling access from a central location, for instance, reduces the need to rely on individuals to follow company protocols. SOCs can help ensure that every facility adheres to the same procedures and benefits from the same level of security expertise.
• Improved asset control. Many companies use these centers to provide additional layers of asset control. Local employees are trusted to do the right thing, and technology provides verification. For example, some companies track high-value shipments with GPS technology. Geo-fencing the route sends an alert if the vehicle travels a specific distance off course, and SOC personnel can contact the driver and offer assistance, if needed. Similarly, SOCs can support employees traveling to high-risk countries by providing information on demonstrations or other incidents that could affect their safety.

• Remote monitoring. Technology integration has significantly increased the capabilities of SOC operators. In addition to monitoring an airplane hangar, for instance, to prevent tampering with corporate aircraft, security personnel can interact with individuals on site. In some cases, SOCs have allowed the remote identification of intruders, who ultimately left the facility before causing damage. Other operators have witnessed medical emergencies and directed responders to provide assistance.

• Real-time intelligence. Some sophisticated organizations have built briefing rooms adjacent to the command centers. If a major incident affects a company or one of its operating regions, executive teams move to the briefing room, which duplicates many of the monitors and other equipment in the SOC.

Additional Considerations

In developing and supporting SOCs for client companies, we’ve seen some common misconceptions. Frequently, organizations tend to overestimate cost savings from reduction in security personnel, while underestimating the risk of information overload.

  • Lower headcount, higher skill level. Beyond the expense of creating the SOC, these sophisticated centers require highly skilled operators with specialized training. Security departments are “doing more with less” in terms of personnel, but these positions command higher pay, better benefits and increased training. At some locations, for instance, operators complete between 80 and 120 hours of one-on-one training before they enter the SOC.

  • Less is more. Many organizations want to fill an entire wall with monitors, allowing command-center personnel to view more areas at once. However, operators can only absorb so much information. A more efficient practice is to support primary monitors with secondary monitors. If an incident occurs, the relevant images are transferred to the primary screens.

Thinking of creating a SOC at your organization? Sunstates Security can help you optimize a control center from a security perspective, in addition to arranging tours of active SOCs. Call us at 866-710-2019 or email us.

JERRY DRUMWRIGHT JOINS SUNSTATES SECURITY IN HOUSTON

INDUSTRY VETERAN OFFERS 25 YEARS OF PETROCHEMICAL AND CUSTOMER-SERVICE EXPERTISE

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RALEIGH, N.C., January 18, 2018—Jerry Drumwright has joined Sunstates Security as Business Development Manager for the Southwest Region. Based in the Houston office, Drumwright brings 25 years of industry experience, with special expertise in the petrochemical sector and a reputation for exceptional customer service.

“We are thrilled to bring Jerry on board,” says President Glenn Burrell, who founded Sunstates Security after serving 20 years in Scotland Yard. “He shares our commitment to delivering high-quality service, and he will be a tremendous resource to clients throughout our Southwest Region.”

Drumwright started his security career in February 1993, after serving more than nine years in the U.S. Air Force. While he focused on sales, Drumwright frequently supported operations to ensure his customers received exceptional service. This personal commitment to clients led him to divide his time among Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas before settling in Houston in 1997.

“The industry has changed in recent years,” says Drumwright. “I’ve heard peers say they don’t have time to talk with customers because of their operational workload. At Sunstates, management focuses on the point of service. They’re not only interacting with the client to meet their needs, but they also ensure that officers have the tools and knowledge they need to succeed.”

The highly regulated petrochemical industry has also changed dramatically as the U.S. increased production of natural gas—most notably from reserves found in shale formations. Drumwright has assisted several large corporations with security as they reconfigured their plants to support the production shift.

In addition to the petrochemical sector, Drumwright has extensive experience supporting Fortune 500 corporate offices, as well as distribution, manufacturing and utility companies.

About Sunstates Security
Based in Raleigh, N.C., Sunstates Security provides uniformed security personnel and security consulting services to clients throughout the United States. The company is certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Greater Business Women’s Council, a regional certifying partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

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Director of Learning, Development & Safety Matt Smolecki, MSM, CPP, MBA Elected to 2018 ATD Chapter President for the Research Triangle Area Chapter

Matt Smolecki, CPP, Training and Safety ManagerSunstates Security’s Director of Learning, Development & Safety Matt Smolecki, MSM, CPP, MBA was elected to the position of 2018 Chapter President for the Research Triangle Area Chapter of the Association for Talent Development. The Association for Talent Development (ATD), formerly ASTD, is the world’s largest association dedicated to those who develop talent in organizations. These professionals take the knowledge, skills, and abilities of others and help them achieve their full potential. ATD’s members come from more than 120 countries and work in private and public organizations in every industry sector.

ATD supports the work of professionals providing development on key trends in the field such as: employee engagement; linking learning to organizational results; leadership development; learning technologies; mobile learning; science of learning; talent management; and workforce preparedness.

 

 

 

SUNSTATES SECURITY EXPANDS WITH KEY MANAGEMENT

CONTINUED DOUBLE-DIGIT ORGANIC GROWTH DRIVES EXPANSION OF MANAGEMENT TEAM

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RALEIGH, N.C., November 8, 2017—Sunstates Security’s commitment to their Mission and Vision of Honesty, Integrity and Trust continue to drive the company’s double-digit, organic growth. Sunstates is pleased to announce the additions of key management team members.

Travis Miller has joined the Sunstates Security management team with a comprehensive background in the contract security industry. During the past 13 years in the industry, he has served in several multi-faceted roles. Beginning his security career in a business development role, he successfully established a new client base in the Orlando area while building and expanding existing partnerships. As natural leader and motivator, he began to take on more operational and management responsibility as a Branch Manager, a role in which he developed a cohesive management team and achieved significant branch growth. He was promoted to Regional Manager, an expanded role in which he assumed responsibility for a team of 400+ employees and a portfolio of clients across the state of Florida. The combination of Travis’ adaptability, leadership style, and experience with every aspect of the security business make him a valuable member of the Sunstates Security team, and an excellent resource for Sunstates clients in the Florida market. Travis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Central Florida, and has attended numerous leadership and customer service training programs through a variety of organizations to include Dale Carnegie, Ty Boyd, and Miller Heiman. He is active in several professional organizations to include ASIS International (at the national and local level) and the Orlando and Gold Coast Chapters of the Community Associations Institute (CAI).

Virginia Lumsden has more than 20 years’ experience as a Facility Security Officer (FSO), Office Administrator, Task Manager, and Human Resources representative for various defense contractors. She has successfully created and maintained multiple security management programs for several defense contractors that were not only compliant with numerous government agency’s policies, but also received Superior ratings from those agencies during yearly assessments. Virginia has provided logistical support to multiple teams of security personnel who were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as to emergency relief teams during Hurricane Katrina. She has also provided support to the instructors of the U.S. Air Marshals after 9/11, as well as instructors providing counter-terrorism training at U.S. embassies worldwide. Virginia received her B.A. from UNC-Greensboro and is currently pursuing a degree in Cyber Security.

Myketa “Keta” Mitchell joined Sunstates Corporate office as the new Staff Accountant on September 1st. Keta graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a degree in Finance and brings 3 years of accounting experience to the team. As a Staff Accountant, Keta’s role is to support corporate and field staff by processing accounts payable and receivable transactions. These processes will also require her to liaison with our clients and vendors. Keta’s organizational skills and positive attitude have already made an impact and we look forward to her development within the Corporate Finance team.

 

David “Dave” Kleiman brings over 10 years of legal expertise to corporate headquarters as our Legal, Compliance and Risk Management Director. He obtained his Juris Doctor from The John Marshall Law School and licensed to practice in the state of Illinois.
For several years Dave owned his own practice focusing on consumer, corporate, criminal, real estate, workers’ compensation, and personal injury matters. He later transitioned to the corporate world taking on large roles with two international companies. The first company sponsored the Manchester United soccer team and is a global leader in human resources, insurance and risk management. The second company produced many household items that many of us know and love such as Oreos and Sour Patch Kids.

“We are pleased to welcome new leadership talent to Sunstates,” says President Glenn Burrell, who founded Sunstates Security after serving 20 years in Scotland Yard. “We look forward to the contributions of each of these individuals in their new roles.”

About Sunstates Security
Based in Raleigh, N.C., Sunstates Security provides uniformed security personnel and security consulting services to clients throughout the United States. The company is certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Greater Business Women’s Council, a regional certifying partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

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HOW TECHNOLOGY IS TRANSFORMING THE SECURITY INDUSTRY

Technology continues to evolve at dizzying speed, but don’t expect drones and robots to replace security personnel any time soon. Some of these new Image for How Technology Is Transforming the Security Industrytechnologies, while exciting, remain impractical. Between 2008 and 2010, many security departments were cut to reduce costs, and their budgets were never restored. Consequently, most security directors have neither the resources nor the desire to overhaul their departments with the latest technological innovations.

That said, many companies are supplementing their existing security programs with technology. More clients ask us to find ways to provide smarter security by pairing technology with personnel. In many cases, the result is a reduction in manned hours and an increase in the skills required by the remaining team.

Sometimes the analysis identifies situations where a human touch is preferred. Tenants and clients often appreciate having a friendly security officer open the door and watch over them after hours. Technology excels at providing coverage, not comfort.

Not an Either-Or Scenario

Security rarely comes down to choosing technology over personnel, or vice versa. At Sunstates we continually evaluate new tools to help us better protect clients, and we adapt our offerings accordingly.

As a result, our organization is unrecognizable from a technological perspective, compared to 10 years ago. Many of our officers use smartphones in their daily duties: performing patrols, scanning checkpoints, recording shift details, and reporting incidents. Our paperless hiring process ensures that prospective employees have the necessary computer skills to succeed at Sunstates, from completing training modules in our Learning Management System to using the modern tools of the trade.

By embracing technology and encouraging employees to do the same, we’ve empowered our personnel and created new opportunities for them. Our employees can confirm their schedules and their paychecks online, download benefits documentation, and complete professional development courses. We’ve seen a marked improvement in the capabilities of our security officers in the past decade—a trend that benefits employees and clients.

An Effective Partnership

A New Jersey client reported missing bronze bearings to the on-duty security supervisor. The client provided a description of the missing items, their location, and a suspected time frame for the theft. The supervisor reviewed security footage for the relevant period and immediately identified the responsible individual, who was subsequently terminated. Per policy, the officer searched the employee’s car before his departure and discovered a scrap yard receipt, which was dated several weeks earlier than the discovered theft.

Over the next several days, the supervisor reviewed six weeks of security footage and uncovered 12 additional thefts of bronze metals. He identified the items taken during each incident, exact time and date of each loss, and the thief’s methodology. He also interviewed client employees regarding accountability of materials and procedures for using, and accounting for, items.

This effective combination of security technology and skilled personnel helped the client recover more than $30,000 in stolen materials, while providing valuable recommendations for preventing future thefts and loss.

Like so many other industries, technology is transforming security not by replacing personnel with cameras or robots, but by helping humans to work more efficiently and effectively.

For information on how Sunstates Security can help your organization support security with technology, call 866-710-2019 or email us.

Case Study: House of Worship Responds to ISIS Threat

At eleven o’clock on a Thursday night, the local Department of Homeland Security (DHS) office contacted a house of worship protected by Sunstates. The Islamic Image for Case Study on DHS Alerts to Local House of WorshipState in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) had issued a public threat directing followers to burn this institution to the ground.

Sunstates President Glenn Burrell, CPP, discussed and analyzed the threat with the client contact. They concluded that the multimillion-dollar annex faced little risk, due to its state-of-the-art fire suppression system. However, the original sanctuary—more than a century old and constructed entirely of wood—could present an attractive, symbolic target.

Targeted Security

“Such an attack would send shock waves throughout the country,” said Burrell. “We couldn’t add resources to their budget, so we identified the most vulnerable areas and redirected security there.”

The site was already using a mobile management system to monitor inspections and issues. Sunstates immediately increased patrols around the historic sanctuary and added more checkpoints to confirm thorough inspections of the area.

In addition, Sunstates reinforced anti-surveillance techniques with security personnel. While conducting their duties, officers keep an eye out for anyone who appears to take special interest in the building and/or its security. Officers politely offer assistance to such individuals, a gesture that also conveys the vigilance of the security team.

Creative Partnership

By coincidence, the Sunday following the DHS alert saw the launch of a pilot program that Sunstates had developed with the client several months earlier. Sunstates trained ushers at the church as part of the security team. These volunteers completed rigorous security courses, including firearms training and licensure. Moving forward, these individuals will adhere to the Sunstates training requirements for armed personnel—quarterly refresher training, in addition to the annual qualification required by states.

“Even though they’ve volunteered their services, they are part of the security team,” said Burrell of the ushers. “In their role as greeters, they serve as the first line of defense in a potential situation.”

For information on how Sunstates Security can help your house of worship or organization prepare for such threats, please call us at 866-710-2019 or email us.

 

 

 

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