SOMERS, N.Y.--Pepsi Bottling Group's security department is able to focus its efforts on high-priority risks due to the company's decision to outsource the management and monitoring of its physical security technology.

Now, security at its 100 facilities throughout North America are networked into a central server and Aegis Protection Group's Security Support Center monitors and administers the PBG-owned solutions, which include video surveillance, access control and central badging. All photo IDs for all PBG employees across the country are produced out of SSC's office in Louisville, Ky.

Terry McKinney, senior director of security for PBG, said the number of facilities the company operates makes it nearly impossible for him and his staff of five to manage the day-to-day technology aspects of its security program.

"With the size of the functions we have domestically and internationally, I certainly don't have the personal time to worry about the technical aspects," he said.

Brandon Reich, vice president of corporate development for Aegis, said the purpose of SSC is to provide a means for a company to outsource the operation, administration and service of its physical electronic security systems.

McKinney said PBG compared the cost of outsourcing with the cost it would take to bring such operations in-house, included hiring and training staff to monitor and administer the system.

"Just having Aegis manage our central badging alone provides huge time savings as well as cost savings," he said.

McKinney noted that SSC does more than monitor current security functions — it also plays a role in developing solutions for future implementations.

"They have a full schedule of all of our operations throughout United States and Canada, and my staff provides them with quarterly changes," he said. "They also have become linked with our operations department and with all of our construction so that if we have new build, a retrofit or the like, Aegis is already in the link for the security piece."

Even though these functions are outsourced, the entire security program is still an integral part of PBG's business strategy.

"At the end of the day, these facilities are still your department," McKinney said. "There is not a day that goes by when I do not receive or send a dozen messages or more to Aegis -- even if it is to just get an overview to stay on top of it all."