Baseball fans are likely familiar with the term “five tool player.” For those unfamiliar, it is used to describe a rare breed of player who excels in five categories: hitting for power, hitting for average, fielding ability, throwing ability and speed. As in baseball, there aren’t many five tool players in the world of background checks, but Sentinel Security is one of them. We cover all five categories critical in assessing the viability of prospective employees through our “Pentagon Check.” They are:

1. SSN Trace & Address Locator – We go way beyond the basics and pin down all of the candidate’s current and former addresses using their SSN. This mitigates the risk of potentially hiring a candidate who omitted a residence linked to a criminal record, pending charge or arrest warrant.
2. National Criminal Records Indicator – Our National Criminal Records Indicator searches FBI’s Most Wanted, state sex offender registries, online county records and other databases to uncover hidden offenses that may have taken place outside of the jurisdiction in which the candidate resides.
3. Statewide & County Criminal Record Searches – If the information gathered in a SSN Trace & Address Locator and National Criminal Records Indicator warrants doing so, we order appropriate county and statewide criminal record searches going back at least seven years.
4. Federal Criminal Record Searches – Bank robbery, child pornography, drug trafficking and other serious offenses may be reported solely in federal district courts and thus may not be found in standard statewide or county searches. We use a candidate’s address history to determine the parameters of our search.
5. Driving Record Searches – As an employer, what you’re really aiming to do is find out about the candidate’s character. You can learn a lot about a candidate who has received a DUI, driven with a suspended license or failed to appear in court.

Like a five tool player, Sentinel Security covers all the bases. Don’t hire a candidate without putting them through our “Pentagon Check.” To learn more, visit our employment background screening page or call us at 877-365-SECURE to arrange a consultation.

Interacting with customers on a daily basis will teach anyone that people can be aggressive. This is especially true when they believe they have been wronged in some way, and can often lead to damage to your property or injury to your employees or customers if you or a manager doesn’t know how to defuse the situation quickly. That’s why so many businesses and retailers rely on Sentinel Security to handle any issues that arise on their properties. If you don’t have our security guards on site yet, there are both verbal and non-verbal strategies that can help with managing an aggressive customer:

Non-Verbal

• Be aware of the body language you are using, presenting a non-threatening, open stance.
• Keep good eye contact without allowing it to come off as confrontational.
• Keep physical movements calm, moving slowly and steadily.
• Give the aggressor their personal space. 

Verbal

• Listen to what they’re saying and accept, recognize and emphasize any positive aspects of what is being said.
• Be respectful by using formalities, while working toward familiarity.
• Reflect, clarify and summarize the aggressor’s thoughts and feelings to demonstrate understanding.
• Avoid expression of power on your part – don’t make demands.

Using these tactics when dealing with an aggressive customer can save both parties a lot of trouble. Always contact the authorities and never try to physically detain someone unless it’s completely necessary, and always bring back up! Sentinel Security is your best bet when it comes to dealing with aggressive behavior at your workspace. Our agents can take control of any situation and provide the protection and security you need. Contact us today to learn more.

These days, everything is connected and that means your data is susceptible to being intercepted. Keeping things like client lists, financial reports and other personal information out of the wrong hands should always be a priority, but even more so today when we share everything with everyone. Here are some tips for protecting your sensitive data:

• Volume of data: reducing the information collected and retained so you’re keeping only what is necessary.
• Disposal of data: Properly shred or destroy physical copies of your personal data. This includes CDs, DVDs, hard drives and other portable media devices.
• Securing of data: Keep computers password protected and restrict employee use to specific personnel.
• Handling of data: Have employees trained on policies and procedures to avoid mishandling of confidential information. Ensure they encrypt all data transmissions and restrict use of flash drives, DVDs and CDs.

If you need the help of a professional security company to better protect your physical or digital files, we are always up for the challenge. Not only do we excel in event and VIP protection, but your business’ information will also be kept safe and secure. Contact us today and protect your confidential information with Sentinel.

Sentinel knows that assessing a potential threat quickly and resolving it immediately could be the difference between a job well done and a loss of our client’s assets and trust. It’s for that reason we train our security personnel for the highest level of awareness at all times. Our security assessment protocols follow very specific steps: 

1. Identify threat: Our personnel’s ability to spot a threat comes from training and years of experience. 

2. Evaluate seriousness: Determining how serious the threat is directs our next actions. Using the right amount of force could keep a situation from escalating; too much could cause further problems.

3. Intervene: If a situation doesn’t settle on its own, or begins to escalate, our agents know when to move from observing to taking action. 

4. Monitor safety plan: When the dust settles, we’ll go over how the situation was handled, and how to best prevent it in the future.

Risk is always a factor when your company deals with the public or large numbers of employees. Sentinel is the right choice for threat assessment and other security needs. Don’t let bad situations get worse, contact us today and let us keep an eye on your assets for you.

Sentinel’s security guards are trained to spot and handle suspicious packages. Whether they’re sent to your home or office, or as a letter or parcel, there are ways to assess potential danger. If gone unnoticed, these suspicious packages and letters could lead to a dangerous, if not deadly, situation. Know what to look for, and always be on guard.

• Restricted endorsements like “confidential” and “private”, if unusual for the addressee to receive items like this, could be a hint that something’s not right.
• Incorrect titles or names can indicate a problem, especially if misspelled.
• Excessive postage suggests it came from a foreign country, which, if it isn’t an expected piece of mail, can raise suspicion.
• Odors, stains and excessive tape, or other signs of unprofessional packaging.
• If you notice any pressure or resistance when removing contents from an envelope or parcel, stop handling the package immediately.

Our guards will be on the lookout for these and many other signs that a package or letter could be a threat. If you come across a suspicious package, make sure to follow the suggested course of action!

• Contact your local police department, or call 9-1-1
• DO NOT move, alter, open, examine or disturb the package
• Open windows in the immediate area to vacate any potentially explosive gases
• Clear the immediate area and isolate the package as much as possible

Responding under pressure is a skill that is learned by Sentinel’s guards, are trained to act in extreme situations and protect all of your assets. Contact us today to learn more about what services we offer.

At Sentinel, we believe that being prepared for any situation is vital to the safety and security of your company and its assets. Our fire safety experts will train you and your employees in the various facets of fire safety through our fire safety seminars. We also offer many services, including designing plans for emergencies, maintaining fire safety and much more.

Our fire safety plan design is a preventive application of our expert knowledge, custom tailored to suit your company. Even with a proper safety plan in place, accidents can happen. Our emergency action plan design is crucial in getting employees and valuables safely away from any situation that could result in injury. When you plan ahead with Sentinel you can rest easy knowing that if disaster strikes, you and your company will be ready for it.

Fire and evacuation drills help your employees remember the safety protocols we’ve put into place. Points of egress and alternative routes can save lives, especially in an emergency situation. It’s important to run drills on a consistent basis in order to keep it fresh in everyone’s minds.

Moving your company to a new building? Sentinel also offers fire code compliance, violation corrections, and building inspections for those situations where you want to be sure you’re making the right move. Resolve fire hazards quickly by having Sentinel assess any potential issues such as faulty wiring, inaccessible fire extinguishers, and unmarked fire exits.

Don’t let another day go by without the help of Sentinel’s Fire Safety Directors and Fire Guards. Your peace of mind is just as important to us as the safety your company. Contact Sentinel now for your fire safety needs. Your safety is our goal.

If you’re responsible for a hotel, your primary concern is that your guests enjoy a comfortable and safe stay. That’s not just about providing excellent service, it also means ensuring that the building incorporates the latest safety features. Failure to do so not only puts your establishment’s good reputation on the line, it could very well put the lives of your employees and guests at risk.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, in an average year, one of every 12 hotels/motels reports a structure fire. It’s time to swing those odds in your favor with an expert fire watch and emergency action plan.

Fire safety in hotels requires a practical approach. Different areas require different forms of protection, and this protection must be delivered in a seamless, unobtrusive manner. Sentinel Security can protect your hotel, guests and employees with a flexible safety plan designed specifically for your building.

Our Fire Safety Directors and Fire Guards are experienced, highly trained professionals and are the perfect choice for hotel security and fire safety. All of our officers are certified and licensed security officers. We understand the importance of fire safety and security and strive to make your building safe and secure from all possible threats. Our comprehensive protection services include:

• Fire Safety Plan Design
• Emergency Action Plan Design
• Fire Drills
• Evacuation Drills
• Fire Safety Seminars
• Fire Code Compliance
• Violation Correction
• Building Inspection

Our fire safety experts are chosen exclusively from the executive leadership of the highly regarded New York City Fire Department. And fire safety is not just a “job,” it’s our passion. Our training seminars and fire safety drills incorporate best practices gleaned from years of experience. The result is in-depth information, training and analysis you won’t find anywhere else. While the scope of our training is comprehensive, it’s not designed simply to disseminate information: its goal is to help save lives. We are expert motivational trainers and we deliver our valuable information in a way you’re sure to remember.

If we know that our clients are better prepared for their emergency action plan, then we know that we have done our job. Contact us today and enjoy the safety of an expert emergency action plan.

The term “Special Event” can cover anything from the largest arena concert to an intimate private gathering. But no matter what size your event is, the security goal is the same: you want it to run safely, smoothly and without interruption. Sentinel’s specially trained Armed Guards bring unmatched professionalism and precision to private parties, corporate functions, celebrity fundraisers and more.

Private parties, smaller venues and upscale locales require special skill sets, and closer, sustained contact with your guests. Being adaptable and inconspicuous is of the essence. From their physical appearance to their personal interaction, Sentinel’s Armed Guards know how to tend to your guests.

Our experienced staff is committed to making your event run safely and without interruption or delay. We use the finest officers available and take great pride in our Special Events Security team. Sentinel Armed Guards represent the private security sector’s most experienced tacticians, including many current and former NY law enforcement professionals. With decades of real-world security experience behind every assignment, our Armed Guards are well-trained and equipped to detect, respond to, and neutralize virtually any threat.

Scanning a crowd, spotting suspicious packages or people, and quickly identifying specific or general threats are all second nature to our team. We have provided Armed Guard services to some of the New York area’s most prestigious and prominent industry leaders, corporate executives, celebrities and politicians.

If your intimate event requires armed guards, Sentinel can develop a customized security and safety plan to mitigate threats such as harassment, intimidation, stalking, assault, kidnapping, and child abduction. Upon assignment, we conduct a thorough survey of the area, organization or individual our Armed Guards will be protecting. Our guards then receive a detailed security briefing, which identifies any potential threats and ensures a quick, tactical response is ready when needed.

At Sentinel, we realize the importance of reliable security; when lives are on the line, there’s no room for error. Leave nothing to chance. Contact us to protect your event with Sentinel Armed Guards.

We’re frequently asked if there’s a “best practice” for employment screening and background checks. Unfortunately, there is no “across-the-board” answer; every screening depends on a variety of unique factors. Sentinel’s five-pronged Pentagon Check solution covers the screening canvas as completely as possible, providing clients with detailed and accurate background information on potential hires. Pentagon Check provides a comprehensive overview of a candidate’s background while avoiding the critical history gaps typical of the “$29.95” online background checks that are readily available. Pentagon Check’s five points of protection include:

• SSN Trace & Address Locator

This service is the foundation of our background screening process. It not only reveals identifying information such as name, name variations, and date of birth, but also provides a resident history by uncovering current and former addresses associated with that Social Security number. We then cross-reference those addresses with the ones provided by the applicant. If necessary, additional criminal searches are recommended.

• National Criminal Records Indicator

Since people can commit offenses in jurisdictions in which they visit or travel, Sentinel searches multi-jurisdictional criminal databases to uncover hidden records. Our National Criminal Records Indicator searches information from multiple trusted sources, including: state sex offender registries; statewide repositories of criminal information; multiple online county records; the Office of Foreign Assets and Control; the FBI’s Most Wanted List; Interpol Wanted List; and State Department Terrorist Exclusions.

• Statewide & County Criminal Record Searches

Sentinel evaluates the information gleaned from the SSN Trace & Address Locator and National Criminal Records Indicator, and if warranted, orders the appropriate criminal record searches for a minimum seven-year period. We order statewide searches when available. If no statewide records are available, we order a county search.

• Federal Criminal Record Searches

Many serious crimes are only reported in federal district courts and therefore may not be found during standard county or statewide criminal record searches. These crimes include child pornography offenses, mail and wire fraud, drug trafficking, immigration law violations, bank robbery and others. We use address history and records to determine the scope of our federal searches.

• Driving Record Search

Since motor vehicle information can offer valuable insight on an applicant’s character, we search motor vehicle records in their current state of residence. From this we can learn about suspended licenses, failures to appear in court, arrest warrants, and drug- and alcohol-related driving offenses that can serve as a warning of potential substance abuse problems. These searches are subject to state availability.

How secure is your newest potential employee? Let Sentinel eliminate the doubt. Contact Sentinel Management Group today for a background screening you can trust with Sentinel’s Pentagon Check.

Threat assessment is an invaluable component of evaluating Corporate Security. Simply, this is an all-inclusive review and analysis of your organization’s safety and security functions. Sentinel’s in-depth analysis helps provide a point of reference for today, and a security plan for tomorrow. We incorporate a variety of techniques into our assessment to provide clients with a realistic, practical plan to secure their organizations. Some of the factors that we consider are:

Facility Characterization
The first thing we do to create a specialized security plan is to characterize the facility, including all states of operation and all conditions. To do this we develop a thorough facility description, including all site boundaries, building locations, floor plans and access points. A complete understanding of the facility’s operating processes is also required, as well as identifying any existing protection features. Our professionals pore through blueprints, corporate process descriptions, safety analysis reports, environmental impact statements and site surveys to create a comprehensive characterization.

Threat Identification
Before a vulnerability analysis can be completed, a description of all potential threats is required. We work with you to determine the threats and adversaries that could be problematic to your specific business, and evaluate their capabilities and potential tactics.

Likelihood
Because human behavior is difficult to forecast, estimating the probability that an adversary group will attack a specific asset presents a challenge. Many critical mathematical assumptions cannot be applied in these cases. We analyze the existing threat spectrum and process the information with historical statistical data to categorize these threats in terms of possibility and predict the likelihood of an abnormal event.

How secure is your company? Sentinel offers a full range of resources designed to secure your assets and investments. Our proven solutions can save you from significant losses, or worse, business failure due to internal and external criminal activity, workplace violence and other threats. We’re always available to discuss security needs for your important event. Contact a Sentinel Specialist at 718-740-3600 today and protect your assets