Philip Vardey

Philip Vardey is a security consultant with Guidepost Solutions in New York, New York, where the role is Consultant.

About Philip Vardey

Philip Vardey brings over 15 years of security industry experience from on site man guarding, systems management, and design engineering to his current role as a Consultant. Over his career, he has been involved in site security supervision, facilities management, physical security systems administration, and technical program management.

Vardey began his career in the guarding sector whilst quickly progressing to a senior supervision role within a high profile UK Data Centre service provider. During his time in this capacity, he was instrumental in the day to day management of site security operations, enforcing technology usage standards and assisting Data Centre staff and clients with their day to day security operational needs.

Afterwards, he progressed to a joint security and facilities management position at a prestigious London University focusing on security technology management whilst assisting the facilities department with site operations. Joining the Guidepost Solutions team in EMEA, Mr.

Vardey was initially a part of the Managed Services division providing remote security systems administration, technical support and platform optimization to leading corporate clients. Additionally, Phil assisted in the design group to deploy new sites and system upgrades before progressing to the Project Management team several years ago.

In his current capacity, Mr. Vardey has provided support to key clients within the data centre, pharmaceutical, medical / healthcare manuf

Philip’s work covers: Physical security, Security system design, Healthcare security, School security.

What Philip Vardey focuses on

Physical security assessments

A physical security assessment looks at a site the way a determined offender would. Philip Vardey examines perimeter and access control, lighting, sightlines, surveillance coverage, staffing, policies and how people actually move through the space. The result is a written set of findings ranked by risk, with practical recommendations that leadership can budget for and act on. You can also browse other physical security assessments consultants in the directory.

School safety

Schools need security that protects students and staff without turning campuses into prisons. Philip Vardey helps districts and private schools with safety assessments, emergency planning, threat assessment, communications and training, drawing on lessons learned from real incidents and current best practice.

Healthcare security

Hospitals and clinics face a unique mix of risks: emergency department violence, behavioral health patients, infant security, controlled substances and open public access around the clock. Philip Vardey brings experience with the standards and practices that apply to healthcare settings, helping leaders protect patients, visitors and staff while keeping care accessible.

Credentials at a glance

• Guidepost Solutions, New York, New York
• Consultant, Guidepost Solutions
• Physical security
• Security system design
• Healthcare security
• School security

Credentials matter because they are earned, not bought. Board certifications from ASIS International and designations from the International Association of Professional Security Consultants require documented experience, a rigorous exam or peer review, and ongoing professional education. When you compare consultants, ask which credentials each holds, who issued them and whether they are current.

How Philip Vardey approaches an engagement

Start with the facts

Every engagement begins with understanding the specific site, organization or case. Philip Vardey reviews the available documents, incident history and current practices before forming any opinion, so that recommendations fit the real situation rather than a generic checklist.

Measure against recognized standards

Findings are grounded in recognized industry guidelines, professional standards and lessons learned from comparable sites and incidents. That makes recommendations easier to defend in front of a board, an insurer, a regulator or a court.

Practical, prioritized recommendations

Clients receive clear findings ranked by risk, with practical steps that range from quick policy and training changes to longer term investments in design and technology. The aim is real improvement that the organization can afford and sustain.

Clear communication

Executives, attorneys and front line staff all need to understand the findings. Philip Vardey explains technical issues in plain language and is available to walk leadership or counsel through the results.

Who Philip Vardey works with

Philip works with organizations that need independent, objective security advice.

Every organization is different, so the first step is always to understand your goals, your constraints and what has already been tried. Whether you need a one time review, ongoing advice or support for a specific project or case, Philip Vardey can explain what a realistic scope looks like and what results you can expect.

Signs it is time for a security review

• A recent incident, threat or near miss on the property or in the organization
• A new building, renovation, change of use or expansion
• Concerns raised by employees, tenants, guests, insurers or auditors
• Security policies and post orders that have not been reviewed in years
• Cameras, access control or alarms that were installed piece by piece without a plan
• Litigation, a claim or a demand letter that questions the adequacy of security

If any of these apply, an independent review by a consultant such as Philip Vardey can show where the real gaps are and which fixes matter most.

Why an independent security consultant matters

Independent consultants are paid for their judgment, not for selling products or staffing hours. That independence lets Philip Vardey give candid advice about what is working, what is not and what is worth the investment. For attorneys, independence and recognized credentials are what make an expert opinion credible. For organizations, it means recommendations that are sized to the actual risk rather than to a sales target.

Professional bodies such as ASIS International and the International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC) set credentials and ethical standards for this work, and clients increasingly look for those markers when choosing an expert.

Questions to ask before hiring a security consultant

• What experience do you have with properties, organizations or cases like ours?
• Which professional certifications do you hold, and from which bodies?
• Are you independent, or do you sell products or services you might recommend?
• What will the final deliverable look like, and who will see it?
• How is the fee structured, and what is included?
• For litigation: how often have you testified, and for which side?

A good consultant will welcome these questions. Philip Vardey can walk you through credentials, experience and approach in a short first conversation.

Frequently asked questions

When should an organization bring in a security consultant?

The best time is before an incident: during planning for a new building or renovation, after a change in leadership or operations, when an audit or insurer raises concerns, or when staff report growing worries about safety. A consultant can also help after an incident, reviewing what happened and what should change.

What does an independent security consultant provide that a vendor cannot?

An independent consultant does not sell guards, cameras or alarm equipment, so recommendations are based only on the client’s risk and needs. That independence is also why attorneys and courts give weight to the opinions of independent experts.

What happens during a typical engagement with Philip Vardey?

Most engagements include an initial conversation, a review of documents and history, a site visit or case review where appropriate, and a written report or opinion. The scope, timeline and fee are agreed at the start so there are no surprises.

Does Philip Vardey work outside New York?

Philip is based in New York, New York and works through Guidepost Solutions.

How much does a security assessment or expert review cost?

Fees depend on the size and complexity of the property or case, the amount of material to review, travel and whether testimony is needed. Most consultants work on an hourly basis or a fixed project fee agreed in advance. Ask Philip Vardey for an estimate once the scope is clear, and see our cost guide for typical ranges.

How long does a review usually take?

A focused site assessment or case review can often be completed in a few weeks, while larger programs, multiple sites or complex litigation take longer. Court deadlines and board meetings can usually be accommodated when they are shared at the start, so mention any dates in your first message.

How do I contact Philip Vardey?

Use the contact form on this page to send a message directly, or visit Guidepost Solutions. Include a short description of your property, organization or case, the type of help you need and your timeline.

Working with Philip Vardey

Most engagements start with a short conversation about the situation, the questions that need answers and any deadlines. From there, Philip Vardey recommends a clear scope, whether that is an assessment, a program review, training or expert witness support.

What to prepare before your first call

A little preparation makes the first conversation more useful. Have a short description of the property, organization or case ready, note any recent incidents, claims or deadlines, and gather existing documents such as security plans, policies, prior assessments or pleadings. With that information, Philip Vardey can quickly suggest the right next step.

Every inquiry sent through Find a Security Consultant goes straight to the consultant. There is no fee to contact Philip Vardey, no middleman and no obligation, and your message stays private between you and the consultant. If the fit is not right, you can reach out to other consultants in the directory or post a project to receive several proposals at once.

If you are comparing several consultants, you can also request proposals from vetted security consultants, or read our physical security assessment cost guide before you decide.