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How to Evaluate Your Current Security Company

When you leave your property every night, you know it’s in safe hands with your private security company. Right? 

How do you know that they are doing a good job? How do you make sure they are meeting your property’s security needs? Have they evolved or put in place new practices to keep up with your needs? 

It can be dizzying thinking about how to make sure you’re getting the maximum ROI with your security services. To help you evaluate your current security company, here are four questions you can ask to ensure your expectations and needs are being met or to figure out if it’s time to find a new security partner. 

Do they do what they promise??

First and foremost: Is your security company even showing up to do the job you paid them for? It sounds like a no-brainer but, unfortunately, security companies with follow-through are rarer than you might think.

Thirteen years ago, Reed Nyffeler, CEO of Signal , flew to Arizona to help launch his very first franchise. While there, he visited an apartment manager who informed him that she already worked with a private security company. Nyffeler asked if he could stick around to see how the rival security company did business, and she agreed.

Patrols were scheduled for 9 p.m., 11 p.m., 1 a.m., and 3 a.m., so he and the Arizona franchisee waited until 11:15. With no sign of the patrol, they went to the front entrance and found that the security officer had dropped by unnoticed, leaving behind the reports for the whole night’s work…including the patrols yet to occur! Each report was time stamped (even for the future) and read: “Nothing to report.” 

Needless to say, that security company got fired.. 

While this example might seem extreme, showing up and doing what is expected are both extremely important and say a lot about your security partner. Instead of just taking their word for it, stay behind one or two nights to greet the officers when they arrive on duty. Ask them to show you what they do while they are on your property, from patrolling the perimeter and checking doors to filing reports and responding to calls. If they only seem to be passingly familiar with your property, chances are they’re not doing an adequate job of protecting what is important to you. 

At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself if you are getting what you pay for. If not, what is your next course of action to ensure your ROI?

How does technology play a role in their reporting?

When Nyffeler asked to see a log of reports from the rival security company, the property manager gave him a binder full of paper reports. Going back 3-4 months, Nyffeler said, they all read the same thing: “Nothing to report.”

“There’s always something to report,” he explains. “Whether it’s an overflowing trash can or cars parked illegally. Also, every report was exactly on the hour, and people just don’t come exactly on the hour.”

Online reporting and technology are the best tools to ensure your reports are the real deal. Security software, like Signal Security’s Signal Edge, allows officers to file reports in real time with a timestamp and GPS visible to you, the client. Patrol officers may even include photographs with their report, if necessary, and all reports are available to you at any time. Can’t sleep at 3 in the morning? Log in and check up on your officer to see what’s been going on. You don’t have to wait until morning to find a report slid under the door of your office (and with technology, there shouldn’t be any paper reports anyway). 

Software can also track incidents, compiling them into graphs and charts over time to help you spot trends and trouble areas on your property. Your security company can help you understand the trends and offer recommendations to stop them from happening.

If you’re concerned about security slacking off, technology will help verify the issue and diagnose the problem. And if you’re happy with your security, tech can bring your investment to the next level. It’s 2020, and you have a computer in your pocket at all times. Don’t settle for paper reports.

Does your security have a visible presence on your property?

Homeowners and businesses have long had visible signs of security on their property, such as “Beware of Dog” signs or a front window sticker advertising the name of their security camera company. But how much of a deterrent are those signs without actions? 

Visibility is one of the key tenets of security. Most criminals will think twice about pursuing mischief if there is a visible police or security presence, as opposed to just a sticker in a window that says you have an alarm system. 

Security companies that offer randomized mobile patrols provide the best visibility deterring criminals and reassuring people on your property after hours, like apartment residents or employees that work the late shift. Patrol vehicles should be unmistakable, clearly marked with reflectors and lights. With random patrol routes, mobile patrol officers demonstrate a strong visible deterrence on your property. Residents will feel more secure if they actually see security officers, instead of just being told they are there. 

“It creates peace of mind on their property, more than just a sticker,” Nyffeler said. 

After all, you are investing in the presence of security on your property— not just the idea of it.

Are you seeing results? 

Your security company is present, visible, and has cutting-edge technology in place. Great! But here’s the bottom line: Are they producing results for you? 

Sure, there will always be issues, but are they the same issues over and over again with no change? Let’s say you have a problem with residents sneaking into your apartment complex pool after hours. After several months, it’s still an issue. Has your security company done anything to address the problem, like check to make sure the pool gate is locked, find out what time the illicit swimmers are breaking in, or even suggest that you need to change the gate lock?

What’s the point of spending your precious budget dollars on a security company that isn’t making an impact? Incident reports let you know what’s going on, but without action, they’re worthless.

Finding the right security company for your property

Your property has unique needs when it comes to safety and security. Be sure to ask the right questions when evaluating your current security and when looking for a new security partner.

In the end, your security company should be delivering the promised services, providing an easy way for you to verify those services through technology-forward reporting, maintaining a consistent, highly visible presence, and producing the desired outcomes for your property.

Want a private security company with integrity that ticks all those boxes and offers local expertise? Schedule a free on-site security assessment with Signal 88.

“If the client truly wants someone who understands what they need on their property and the technology to verify it,” Nyffeler said, “we are the brand for them.”

For Barb Alekna and Greg Pencosky, building Signal of West Virginia has always been about more than growing a security business. It’s about creating an organization where people can build meaningful careers, develop into leaders, and make a lasting impact in the communities they serve.

Since launching Signal of West Virginia in September 2024, that vision has guided the team’s approach to growth. From earning their first client to developing their first leaders, Barb and Greg have focused on building the business one relationship, one employee, and one client at a time.

That commitment to people, consistency, and continuous improvement is helping Signal of West Virginia establish a reputation for professionalism and dependable service across the state.

Building a Culture People Can Grow In

When Barb and Greg reflect on what makes them most proud, their answer comes back to their team. From the beginning, they wanted to create more than a successful security company. They wanted to build a career culture where employees could grow, take pride in their work, and become leaders.

“We strive to create an environment where each security officer and team member understands they’re not simply filling a security post,” they explain. “They’re protecting people, building relationships, solving problems, and representing the Signal brand with professionalism and integrity.”

That philosophy shapes how the team approaches every client and every assignment. Whether supporting apartment communities, healthcare facilities, major retailers, or special events, officers are expected to bring more than security expertise to the job.

Professionalism, reliability, communication, and dedication are all part of the standard.

For Barb and Greg, some of the most rewarding moments come from watching that culture take shape: seeing a new hire gain confidence, an officer advance into a leadership role, or a client recognize a team member for going above and beyond.

Earning Growth One Relationship at a Time

Launching a new franchise comes with challenges, but building Signal of West Virginia meant starting almost entirely from scratch.

Before the first contract, the organization had no established presence in the state, no existing clients, no employees, and no revenue. Barb and Greg had experience leading successful Signal operations, but they understood that success in another market wouldn’t automatically translate to West Virginia.

Instead, they relied on proven Signal processes while taking the time to understand the local market and build credibility from the ground up.

“Everything we’ve built since then has been earned one relationship, one employee, and one client at a time.”

That approach required humility, adaptability, and a willingness to learn. Not every proposal became a contract, and not every challenge had an immediate solution, but each experience became an opportunity to improve.

From securing their first client and hiring their first employee to celebrating their first promotion and major contract, each milestone represented another step toward building a reputation in West Virginia.

Continuous Improvement Drives the Team

For the Signal of West Virginia team, showing up at their best starts with a mindset of continuous improvement.

“We never want to become complacent or assume we know everything,” they explain. “Every conversation with a client, every interaction with an employee, every success, failure, and every challenge give us an opportunity to learn, improve, and become better than we were yesterday.”

That mindset extends beyond individual performance. Barb and Greg see clear communication as one of their most important responsibilities as leaders.

By staying connected with clients, supporting their team, and being proactive instead of reactive, they work to build trust and strengthen relationships.

For them, long-term growth isn’t something to chase. It’s something to earn through consistent effort, strong relationships, and exceptional service.

Redefining Professional Security

As Signal of West Virginia continues to grow, Barb and Greg want the community to see private security as more than simply placing officers at a post.

Their goal is to build long-term partnerships, invest in the communities they serve, and create a career culture where employees are empowered to make a positive difference.

“We’re here for the long-term, and we genuinely care about making West Virginia a safer place to live, work, and do business.”

That commitment is supported by the combination of Signal’s global resources and local, owner-led leadership.

The team benefits from Signal’s technology, innovation, experienced leadership, and proven operating model while maintaining a local presence built around responsiveness, accountability, and lasting relationships.

For Signal of West Virginia, that means officers aren’t simply providing security. They’re becoming an extension of their clients’ teams—protecting people, safeguarding property, assisting employees and visitors, and representing both the client and Signal with professionalism.

The goal is to become a trusted partner that helps reduce risk, strengthen operations, and provide lasting peace of mind.

Developing People and Leaders

For Barb and Greg, one of the most rewarding parts of ownership is watching people grow.

Whether it’s mentoring an officer into a leadership role, helping an employee build a long-term career, or developing a client relationship into a trusted partnership, those moments represent the impact they hope to create.

They also recognize that growth doesn’t happen in isolation.

The Signal network has provided opportunities to learn from experienced security leaders, including Paul Alekna and the team at Signal of Canton-Youngstown. Their mentorship and willingness to share experiences have played an important role in the growth of Signal of West Virginia.

That collaboration reflects another strength of the Signal network: franchises supporting one another and sharing knowledge to help each other succeed.

Building What Comes Next

For Barb and Greg, the most exciting part of the journey is knowing they’re still building.

“Every new team member we develop, every client relationship we earn, and every opportunity to strengthen our team is another chance to make a lasting impact.”

Their focus remains straightforward: invest in their people, serve clients with excellence, and build an organization that employees, clients, and the community can be proud of.

Being named Franchise of the Month for May 2026 is an important milestone, but the recognition is viewed as motivation rather than a finish line.

Barb and Greg credit their entire team for the franchise’s success and remain focused on creating a career culture where great people can grow, delivering exceptional service, and making a lasting impact throughout West Virginia.

Congratulations to Barb Alekna, Greg Pencosky, and the entire Signal of West Virginia team on being named May Franchise of the Month in 2026. Their commitment to developing people, serving their communities, and growing with purpose is a powerful example of what’s possible across the Signal network.

 

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