You may think your business is located in the safest area of town. You may even have a burglar alarm installed on the premises. But don't be lulled into a false sense of security---literally. Criminals are getting smarter. By the time police arrive after your alarm has sounded, a burglar could escape with thousands of dollars of merchandise or money. And even if images are captured on video cameras, it could take several days to find the burglar and by that time, your property and money are most likely already gone. According to the FBI, businesses lost $17.6 billion because of theft.

Security personnel will assure you that your business is being watched even when you aren't there. Armed or unarmed personnel are:

• Ready. If a burglar does try to break in or if vandals try to destroy your building, security officers are trained to deal with the situation immediately. If you are using armed guards, find out how much firearms training the guard has. Have the guards gone through training that prepares them for any type of situation? Do they know the laws and what the parameters are? You don't want a lawsuit for false accusation or even a false arrest because the security officer was not aware of the law. Even though the police will likely be called to fill out a report, a security officer will likely have the situation under control before they arrive.

• Knowledgeable. A good security firm will get to know your business. Who is allowed to be there after hours and who is a trespasser? Is money kept on the premises and if so, where is it? How valuable is the equipment and merchandise in your business? What is the crime rate in the area and what are the most common types of offenses? These are just a few of the questions a good security firm will ask and know.

• Professional. Professionalism goes beyond having a nicely pressed uniform. How do the security officers act in situations that are tense? Do they come across as hostile? Do they hold their ground or do they give in to the challenge? You don't want a guard that is too aggressive or too weak.

You also want to make sure that the security agency is customer focused from the time the contract is signed until the officers leave their shift. Did the agency answer all of your questions about officer training? Are the officers bonded and insured? What kind of experience does the agency have in dealing with your type of business? Do they have testimonials from satisfied customers?

The last question should be cost. Everyone wants to save money. One way is to their great security officers who are worth the money you spend. Find out how they are trained and how they will handle a break-in or other crime at your business. You may find you will spend more money on a top-notch security service, but how much is your peace of mind worth?