By Mark Folmer, CPP; Brad Gordon; and Eddie Sorrels, CPP, PSP, PCI
As reported by Grand View Research, the value of the physical security market globally is estimated to top $290 billion by 2025. Those “zeroes” alone give security professionals good reason to pay attention to this ever-increasing sector. By most estimates, security guard services make up more than half of that value. For years security officers have been viewed as being separate and distinct from “technology”-based products and services, but that is no longer an accurate description of what is expected of the modern officer. Changes have come in many different areas: equipment, training (initial and ongoing), selection criteria, and measuring the overall security program impact.
These advances have meant that expectations in and around security service performance and deliverables have evolved dramatically over the last few years. Fueled by innovation and technology, these changes are not only necessary to meet the demands of the end user, but are required to keep pace with the officer’s need for better real-time data and metrics. The environment is becoming more complex with manpower shortages, increased employment rules and regulations, security teams being required to show a return on investment, and examining threats through the lens of Enterprise Security Risk Management (ESRM) principles.
The 5Ds of physical security (Deter, Detect, Deny, Delay, and Defend) are all impacted by technological advancement. Technology is no longer exclusively viewed as a potential method to phase out the security guard—it is now more appropriately seen as a force multiplier when used in a way that meets the needs of the environment. As such, modern security officers are evolving, and they must continue to evolve, because of generally increasing threat levels and dynamic work environments. The days of the “night watchmen”, with dozens of keys on their belts, have made way for well-trained security officers that are a key element of their security program. Technology is an enhancer for frontline security officer programs allowing for an optimized resource to gather critical data. They must be equipped to properly respond to situations and be able to better observe and report in real time.
In this new reality, when you consider mitigating measures to support security programs, you no longer consider security officers separate from cameras and access control. You look at solutions that are tied together with physical security information management systems and as a joint solution to an issue. When addressing drones and robots, you must strive to understand how they work together as a whole. You no longer look at lone static guard posts, but rather you consider remote video monitoring as an option when connected via a security operations center into mobile response units dispatched on an as needed basis. Finally, tying all of this together with software, tracking, and communication allows you to bring forth the data that clients and businesses need to make clear security decisions for overall organization safety and security.
Global Security Exchange (GSX) is the source to learn about all of these emerging technologies within the security space. The concentration of subject matter experts means that you will have the opportunity to be exposed to what is next in the industry regardless of where you are in your security career. The sheer size of the trade show floor and the volume and variation of speakers matched with the latest in emerging technology means that you will experience innovation from multiple vantage points.
Want to learn more about the topic above? Please join us for an our session on Monday 9 September in Chicago at GSX 2019—Impact of Technology on Today’s Security Guard Force: Innovative Options to Drive Protection. Register for GSX 2019.
