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Safeguarding Lives: The Importance of Security in Healthcare

Healthcare facilities provide some of the most essential roles in society. These facilities and the people who work in them are trusted with private, personal information and the physical well-being of the patients, staff and visitors who walk through their doors. Today we’ll dive into the importance of security in the healthcare system and what measures facilities can take to protect the privacy and physical well-being of those that enter their buildings.

Protecting Privacy

From medical records and diagnoses to insurance details and financial information, healthcare facilities handle vast amounts of sensitive patient information. In the last three years, nearly 93% of healthcare organizations have experienced a data breach, according to Herjavec Group’s 2020 Healthcare Cybersecurity Report.

Safeguarding this confidential data is the legal and ethical responsibility of the facilities. It’s also a matter of trust between healthcare providers and patients. Unauthorized access to this information can lead to identity theft, financial fraud and other devastating consequences for patients and staff alike.

Healthcare facilities must implement solid security measures to protect this data. Access controls are essential to restrict unauthorized individuals from accessing patient information. Strong password policies, two-factor authentication and role-based access to patient information are vital to the security of patient and hospital data.

Preventing Unauthorized Access

Healthcare facilities often operate around the clock, which makes them particularly vulnerable to security breaches. To protect the safety of patients and staff and prevent access to medications, equipment and confidential records, restricting access to sensitive areas in a facility is crucial.

Robust physical access controls, including ID badges, keycards or even biometric authorization are a great way for facilities to begin implementing physical access controls. Surveillance systems can deter crime and allow more monitoring by a facility’s security team. Alarm systems and intrusion detection allow for prompt responses by security guards in the event of a security breach.

Ensuring Staff Safety

Working in a healthcare facility is a tireless, thankless job, and often high-stress. Healthcare professionals work long hours and often may encounter challenging, aggressive and even violent individuals in their day-to-day life.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare and social service workers are 5 times as likely to suffer workplace violence. Healthcare facilities need to provide peace of mind to their staff, so they can continue to provide a vital service to our communities.

When evaluating the security of a healthcare facility, emergency response systems are something that shouldn’t be overlooked. Panic buttons or wearable devices can quickly alert a security team, should an emergency develop. Training staff in de-escalation provides them with the knowledge to defuse situations before they escalate and resolve conflict without relying on security personnel. Finally, collaborating with law enforcement or hiring external security guards can provide peace of mind that there are trained professionals at the ready should a situation escalate.

Stopping External Threats

Healthcare facilities are not immune to external threats such as terrorism, theft or vandalism. A robust physical security plan helps deter potential threats and ensure a safer environment for patients, staff and visitors.

Establishing physical barriers, such as fencing or access gates, helps secure the perimeter of healthcare facilities. Having trained security guards on-site can significantly enhance the overall security of healthcare facilities. The security guards can monitor entrances, do security patrols in critical areas and respond to incidents promptly.

The significance of security in healthcare facilities cannot and should not be overlooked. Healthcare professionals play some of the most essential roles in our society and security measures allow them to safely do their jobs. By prioritizing privacy, preventing unauthorized access and ensuring staff safety, facilities provide a safe environment for everyone and foster relationships between patients and staff built on care, trust and confidence.

We Are More Than a Security Provider

Partner with Signal, where our commitment goes beyond mere security – we stand for safeguarding lives. Because at the heart of healthcare is trust, and at the core of trust is safety. Together, let’s build a safer, more secure environment for our healthcare heroes and the patients they tirelessly serve. Learn how a partnership with Signal can elevate your healthcare facility’s security standards. Get your no-obligation quote for Signal’s effective, proactive security service and mobile patrols today.

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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