SECURITY
Labor reform and new technologies are changing the private security market, and firms are stepping up accordingly.
Before, it was easier to operate and there were not as many regulations; however, now, everything has evolved. It has been difficult to educate the market as people change their views of what private security is. Private security has become an important part of everyone's operations. We have electronic security to help monitor someone's place. We add much more to the bottom line, which people truly take into account. Now, security is becoming an integral part of business operations. Companies take us more seriously; public opinion is still a little behind what we want to project, though this is changing. The Ministry of Public Security wants to eliminate firearms from private security and has asked us to present a report on the need to use firearms in all our security posts. Certain clients welcome it, while others are up in arms about it and do not understand. People in other countries are not armed, though they have the infrastructure to call for those who are; we are not at that level. The infrastructure needs to be in place in order to replace, face, and repel those who want to do harm. The country needs to do something about the requirements for armed and non-armed guards.
Costa Rica, like anywhere else in the world, faces serious security challenges. We are the only security company in Latin America with ISO 9000, OSHA 18000, and in the short term, BASC certifications. The idea is to have all three, which is a unique way of working here. We sell electronic management products such as cameras and other surveillance devices. The market is moving more toward technology because equipment never sleeps. We invest once in security and do not need to invest again and again, as one might do with security guards. Over the long term, it is cheaper than having other types of security or security guards. However, there will always be a need to have a combination of both; equipment cannot move or take action. The government's reforms will certainly help us. Fortunately, we do all of the right procedures and process management. We work eight hours a day, and this is the reason why we are at times more expensive compared to others. The new reform will ban all weapons, and as of May 2017, we destroyed every gun we had in the office. We use 100% technology now. The risks in this sector are extremely high and it is a difficult industry to work in; with any luck, the new reforms will push informal companies out.
The security guard market will change in the mid term; simply having security guards is no longer sustainable. Paying for one guard 24 hours a day every month is expensive, and companies no longer want to do it. We looked for a way to change our services and decided to replace guards with technology, which reduces costs for our customers. This is what we now do from our operation centers all around the world. Where we used to have 10 guards, we now just have three or four; the rest is done through technology. We currently do tour guards, supervise the location, remote video, surveillance, alarm systems, and even remote access control for gated communities. We were the first security company to sell security solutions in Costa Rica. We offer our customers guards, cameras, mobile, and GPS, all in one solution. We used to be more expensive than other companies, because of our unique solutions. However, now that we have proven that our security solutions are effective, other companies have started to do what we do and prices have become competitive. We are still a few years ahead of the market in security solutions, however. Two things are happening: the cost of guards is high, and new taxes are on the way.
SECURITY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
Yamileth Astorga, President, Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (AyA)
TBY talks to Yamileth Astorga, President of the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers (AyA), on the challenges of providing high-quality potable water and working to prevent a water deficit.
read articleInterview
Luis Carlos Delgado Murillo, President, National Supervisory Council for the Financial System (CONASSIF)
TBY talks to Luis Carlos Delgado Murillo, President of the National Supervisory Council for the Financial System (CONASSIF), on the importance of collaboration between the private and public sectors and facilitating new business.
read articleInterview
Minor Rodríguez, General Manager, Coopesa
TBY talks to Minor Rodríguez, General Manager of Coopesa, on being the only self-managing cooperative in the world dedicated to heavy aircraft, the importance of communication, and maintaining a flat and democratic governance structure.
read articleReview
Reaching the Sky
The construction sector in Costa Rica has recovered significantly from a slump in 2016. However, the country has much to accomplish, especially in terms of ensuring new residential projects are inclusive for all income levels and fixing the infrastructure problem.
read articleInterview
Dr. Fernando Llorca Castro, Executive President, Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social
TBY talks to Dr. Fernando Llorca Castro, Executive President of Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social, on the importance of institutional longevity, joining the OECD, and bringing standardized services to every part of the country.
read articleFocus: Education Training
Get the Ball Rolling
One of the main factors that attracts investors to Costa Rica has been its skilled human capital. For this purpose, the government and academia are collaborating to improve programs and better align them to the requirements of several industries.
read articleReview: Education
Class Is In Session
High levels of public investment have made Costa Rica's education system one of the strongest in Latin America, and government leaders are working to improve teacher quality and ensure that the poorest Costa Ricans have access to quality secondary and tertiary schools.
read articleInterview
Marco Robert, General Manager, IMC Interamericana Medios de Comunicación
TBY talks to Marco Robert, General Manager of IMC Interamericana Medios de Comunicación, on the importance of articulating a clear philosophy, the industry's biggest weaknesses, and the ideal advertising setup.
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