Better to be safe than sorry

The February 14th attack, followed by the bombings in New Jdeideh, Kaslik, Sad al-Boushrieh and Broumana have seen increased demand for private security services from banks, shops, hotels, malls and large institutions, as well as real estate developers with substantial works in progress. Unfortunately, pro-active security remains a novel concept in Lebanon. The current “boom” is still largely ad hoc, temporary and price-sensitive. In fact, security providers say, it’s a regional thing. Lebanon conforms to the Middle East pattern of taking a reactive, rather than preventive approach to private security. “This is the trend,” says Jinane Zod, assistant managing director of Zod Security. “People only react once the damage is done.” Although not exactly a revolution, industry insiders believe there might be a gradual shift towards a more preventive-oriented approach to security. “The measures we are taking now are permanent,” says Shoughari. “It’s a trend happening throughout the Middle East