Juniper Networks/ Providing a High Tech Innovator with Physical Security Coverage

Founded in 1996, Juniper Networks is the industry leader in high-performance networking. The company delivers the routing, switching and security technologies that serve as the underpinning of the global communications infrastructure. Juniper has a history of innovation, providing scalable networks that keep one step ahead of ever leapfrogging technology.

Their mission is to help their customers meet the business imperatives of high performance, reliability and absolute security.  Not inconsequentially, Juniper requires the same traits in their contract physical security provider, Securitas.

Juniper’s headquarters are in Sunnyvale, California – right in the heart of Silicon Valley – and employs over 7,000 people worldwide.  The Westford, Massachusetts location houses a variety of business functions including engineering, sales support, human resources and environmental, health, safety and security.  Since 2004, the latter function has been entirely staffed by a cadre of 14 Securitas USA officers, according to Brian Walsh, Juniper Network’s Environmental Health Safety and Security Operations Manager.

Core responsibilities include providing reception coverage, greeting visitors and patrolling the 225,000 square-foot complex and its adjacent parking facility.  In addition, Securitas USA officers are responsible for round the clock coverage of the onsite Security Control Center. Opened in January 2005, they are responsible for monitoring the alarm and video systems for all of Juniper’s locations east of the Mississippi as well as in Canada and Europe – a total of 16 different locations.

The center is equipped with a number of different technologies to help ensure the safety at Westford and each of the remote locations, and to allow officers to respond quickly to any threat – whether a physical security breach or safety hazard.  Officers must also keep abreast and respond to global events, ranging from weather events to political unrest, which can affect Juniper’s systems, employees and customers. Walsh mentions a recent airport closing in Germany for which officers sent out an e-mail alert to minimize travel delays. 

Comprehensive and on-going training is the key to maintaining such a critical component to Juniper’s operations.  Each new officer arrives with fundamental training from Securitas USA and is certified in first aid and CPR.  “Once they are here, they train with an experienced officer, and, if they are training for the control center, they work with a specific trainer,” says Walsh.  A steady diet of drills and both refresher and supplemental courses help keep the officers engaged and prepared. 

Juniper is also supported by close interaction with their Securitas management team.  An account manager is on-site to handle day-to-day concerns and Walsh meets quarterly with the branch manager.  Together, they review training, overtime and operations as well as the customer satisfaction survey completed by Juniper’s Westford employees.  “Success,” says Walsh “is in the smooth performance of the operations.”

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