If you’re asking yourself “should we switch?”, you probably already have your answer. Most businesses replace a security provider when the coverage stops feeling dependable — guards aren’t consistent, communication breaks down, or incidents aren’t handled the way they should be.
Below are eight practical reasons to replace your security firm. If you recognize more than one, it’s usually time to replace security firm services and move on.
1) They miss shifts, show up late, or leave early
Security only works when someone is actually on post, on time, and alert. If coverage is shaky, everything else becomes a risk: access control, patrols, visitor flow, after-hours checks — all of it.
Why this matters
When reliability slips, the site becomes predictable to the wrong people. And your staff starts assuming they’re on their own.
2) Incidents happen… and you hear about them late (or not clearly)
A good firm reports fast and reports clean. A weak one gives vague updates like “everything handled” with no details, no timeline, and no follow-up.
What good reporting includes
- What happened and when
- What actions were taken
- What should change to prevent it again
This is a very common reason businesses decide to replace your security firm, because documentation protects you just as much as presence does.
3) Guards don’t look trained for real situations
Standing at a desk isn’t the hard part. The hard part is staying calm when people aren’t calm.
A training gap usually shows up as:
- Poor de-escalation (they escalate situations by accident)
- Confusion about basic site rules
- Weak or messy incident reports
If you’re comparing security companies chicago, this is one of the easiest differences to spot. Strong providers invest in training and supervision. Weak ones don’t.
4) Turnover is constant, so the site keeps “resetting”
When guards rotate nonstop, every shift becomes someone’s first day. That leads to missed details: who belongs in the building, what doors should stay locked, where issues typically start, how your staff wants things handled.
The real cost
You lose consistency. And consistency is what makes security feel real.
5) Communication is slow, inconsistent, or reactive
If the only time you hear from the security company is when there’s a complaint, that’s a problem. You should have a clear supervisor contact, quick responses, and predictable check-ins.
A simple test
If you email a question today, do you trust you’ll get a clear answer by tomorrow?
If not, it’s one of those reasons to replace your security firm that never gets better on its own.
6) Your property changed, but the security plan didn’t
Security needs to match real life. New tenants, new access points, different hours, higher foot traffic, more deliveries — those changes affect risk. If post orders and patrol routes haven’t been updated in months, you’re paying for an outdated plan.
What should be happening
Regular site reviews, updated post orders, and small adjustments before small problems turn into big ones.
7) People complain about the guard presence
You’ll hear this from staff, tenants, or visitors:
- “They’re always on their phone.”
- “They’re rude or unhelpful.”
- “They don’t seem to know what they’re doing.”
Even when nothing “bad” happens, unprofessional guards can damage trust in the whole building. And that’s absolutely a reason to replace security firm coverage.
8) You don’t trust them anymore
This is the one that quietly decides everything.
If you’re double-checking schedules, worrying after hours, or feeling like you have to manage the security team yourself, the relationship is already broken. Security isn’t something you should babysit.
Quick next step before you switch
Ask for three things:
- The last 30 days of shift logs
- The last 30 days of incident reports
- The current post orders
If they can’t provide these quickly, it tells you a lot.
Need a reliable security company in Baltimore?
If you’re ready for a change, Advanced Security is a security company in Baltimore that focuses on dependable coverage, professional guards, and clear communication. We show up, we supervise, and we keep reporting simple and consistent — so you’re not guessing what’s happening on your own property.
If any of the points above sound familiar, reach out and tell us what kind of site you’re protecting. Contact us today, and we’ll help you figure out the right coverage and next steps.
Freqently Asked Questions
How do I know it’s time to replace my security company?
If shifts are missed, incident updates are late/vague, guard professionalism is slipping, and you don’t trust coverage without checking on it, it’s usually time to switch.
What should a “good” security incident report include?
At minimum: who, what, where, when, why, plus actions taken, evidence, and follow-up/next steps. It should be factual, specific, and time-based.
Why is constant guard turnover a real problem for a property?
Because the site “resets” over and over—new guards miss patterns, rules, and access routines. A stronger provider reduces this with consistent staffing, supervision, and clear post orders that every guard follows.
