Security and Management Services

Incorporated on August 27, 1987 Security & Management Services (Pvt) Ltd known nationally as SMS provides private security services. With an excellent performance record SMS provides security services to blue chip companies and foreign embassies, in some cases for nearly three decades.
SMS operates a large branch network throughout the country ensuring efficient operations, close monitoring / supervision of guard force and timely response. SMS has 3 Regions, 13 Branches and 35 Zones: South Region based at Karachi (covering Sindh and Balochistan); Central Region based at Lahore (covering Punjab) and North Region based at Islamabad (covering some areas of the Punjab from Gujrat upwards, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Northern Areas, Azad Jammu & Kashmir).
Mission
Protecting life, property and assets of clients while meeting legal, regulatory and contractual obligations, commitments with respect for stakeholders, ensuring: (1) minimum risk to Security Operations (2) demonstrating respect for human rights (3) embedding core values in internal functioning (4) seeking continuous improvement through internal checks, client feedback and constant review of systems and procedures and (5) building teamwork and a strong sense of commitment among employees.
Key Services includes (1) Static Guards / Bodyguards (2) Executive Protection Services (3) Route Vehicle Controls (4) Escort and Vehicle Protection Service (5) Event Security and (6) Project Management.
Operations
Operations are managed by teams starting from Supervisors upward to Branch Managers and General Managers. The team ensures that Guards are equipped / trained to handle all situations they can face during duty. Control Rooms play a very vital role in achieving this.
Strengths of Business
(1) A network of training institutes to impart training; network of Control Rooms operating on 24/7/365 basis with effective monitoring and response; 24/7/365 customer facilitation on telephone/cell; continuous liaison with clients to improve quality of services and a proper website. Maximum guard force comprising of ex-servicemen; all guards are put through stringent NADRA, Police and our own verifications through Research & Collection Services (Pvt) Limited (RCS). Timely response by senior/mid-level management to all clients. (2) Ability to retain existing blue chip clients on long-term basis despite stiff competition from competitors. (3) SMS has the capability of replicating its services in combination with other companies of the PATHFINDER GROUP, which is both a strength and an opportunity. SMS is in a unique position to provide security guards, duly security background checked/verified by RCS, alarm systems and monitoring from SMS Electronic Safety Services (Private) Limited (SMS ESS) and personnel data management techniques from i3 Pathfinder, all combined in one contract. Unlike its competitors SMS has the capability for product diversification (4) Collaboration on international projects, such as CPEC, enabling expansion into foreign markets with domestically trained guards, thus charting a new course, something which is not possible for competitors who are only Pakistan based.
Monitoring and Response Mechanism: At times the deteriorating law and order situation and its impact on the security and well-being of our clients needs no elaboration. Under such situations not only do the personnel/systems providing security perform at optimum levels but are also monitored. Any mechanism designed to monitor the performance of deployed resources should also be able to respond to an emergency situation should it arise. To accomplish both in the shortest possible time in event of an emergency, SMS has a combined mobile monitoring and response team called the SABRE-HUNTER GROUP in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. These teams not only perform the task of effectively monitoring SMS's guard force but are also capable of responding to emergency situations in the bare minimum time. This force is meant for multiplying and augmenting safety and security arrangements and to thwart any untoward incident.
Welfare Measures
(1) Highest salaries in the market coupled with 'best in-house training' package (2) Health insurance covering all employees including spouse and children for treatment in leading hospitals of the country, (3) 24/7 Outdoor medical treatment through Company employed qualified doctors and nursing staff with provision of free medicines, (4) Life Insurance coverage for all employees ranging between Rs 0.2 million to Rs 0.5 million, depending upon sensitivity of the location / project. (5) Provident Fund (6) EOBI and Social Security contribution (7) Provision of living accommodation and dining facilities at subsidised rates (8) Free 'pick and drop' from Company accommodation to a central drop-off point or place of duty (9) Paid annual, casual, medical leave and maternity leave for female employees (10) Incentives / Recognition Programme (11) "Guard and Supervisor of the Month" Ceremony with cash rewards (12) Awarding Certificate of Appreciation (13) Promotion and annual increments (14) Planned career growth of officers cadre (15) Sponsorship for education of deserving students in Jajja Cadet College ('boarding facility') and (16) Scholarship for children ('day scholars') of employees.
Certifications & Security Grading
ISO (Quality Standards)
-- SMS is the first Company in the developing world to achieve simultaneous certification to 3 different Standards ie ANSI/ASIS PSC-1:2012, ISO 18788:2015 and ISO 9001:2015 and the first in the world to exceed the requirements of the Standards and have no non-conformances. In the words of Dr Marc H. Siegel, (Former Commissioner ASIS, Global Standards Initiative and Chair ISO/PC 284 ASIS International European Bureau, Brussels, Belgium), "SMS has achieved the goal of becoming the role model for security companies in both developed and developing countries by hitting the highest level of the maturity model in PSC.3. ISO-18788:2015 Standard was published in September 2015 and applies purely to Private Security Companies internationally".
Security Grading
-- SMS also has the distinction of having been certified as a Strong Security Company (SG-2 STRONG) by The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Limited (PACRA).
-- SMS is also a founding member of International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA), Switzerland.
Corporate Social Responsibility: Islam enjoins upon us to protect minorities within a Muslim State. Aware of this great responsibility and in view of the threat to Christians, SMS has for over 15 years, as part of its contribution to society, voluntarily provided, first by itself and then for the last 5 years under the umbrella of the Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Association (PESA), FREE OF COST guarding services for the protection of dozens of Churches throughout the country on Sundays and other Christian festivals.
(The writer is Chief Operating Officer, Security and Management Services)