Over the past decade, there’s been a rise in technologies that remove the need for human involvement from what have traditionally been human activities, casting fear over workers in many industries that their jobs will be replaced with technology.
Will workers in the security industry, such as security guards, door supervisors and CCTV operatives, eventually become a thing of the past as technology advances? Or will they continue to be important in keeping people, places, and things safe?
During the BSIA North West Conference, speaker David Wells, Commercial Director North for Securitas UK, explored where he thinks technological advancements are taking the security industry. During his talk, Wells stated that 90% of his company’s business is guarding and by 2020, he sees guarding being only 60% (1). Wells sees in the near future not only Securitas UK but the entire security industry utilising technological resources. Security workers should not see Wells’ vision as something negative, though, because it is about the best of both worlds, technology and human security guards working together to create the best security. While some might fear Wells’ vision for the security industry, there is actually a lot for security guards to celebrate about. Here are the top five reasons why security guards shouldn’t fear technology.
1. Less is More
You will learn the basics of what it takes to be a good security guard during your security training course, and by all means, your training course is important and an essential part of the process if you want to become a security guard, but the real learning starts on the job. During his talk, Wells mentioned how more energy could be put into training guards with fewer security guards. Anyone passionate about their job should be enthusiastic about opportunities that give them the chance to learn new skills within their field. Not to mention extra training and experience would make an individual more employable. What company doesn’t want to employ a security guard who is capable of sufficiently doing the work of two or more?
2. Better Job Security
With more time spent on training, you are bound to provide customers with a better overall experience. Happy customers will continue to use the security company you work for, and who knows, maybe they will even write you a good review and recommend you to contacts they have in need of security. Long-term customers mean a thriving business, a business you don’t have to worry about will go bust and make you redundant.
3. Higher Wages and Better Benefits
Fresh out of your security training course, it could look like the most you are going to make is minimum wage, but what if it was different? During the BSIA North West Conference, Wells talked about his vision for a living wage for security guards (3). If Wells’ prediction of a drop in the number of manned guards being employed over the coming year is true, not only would increasing the earnings of security guards be possible, but employers could also reevaluate the benefits security guards receive and create an environment in which guards are more valued.
4. Technology Can Make Your Job Easier
New security technology is being developed and improved every day, from robots to access control and CCTV systems. Although there was talk of robots taking the jobs of security guards working in office and retail environments and home security systems and cameras replacing residential patrols, the truth is computers lack many important skills that a good security guard needs. However, when used by a human security guard, technological devices and systems can actually be very useful and even make the job of a security guard easier. Unlike humans, robots employ vision technologies enabling them to have continuous 360-degree vision, infrared vision and motion detectors, so if you are working a busy 12-hour shift, let them be your second pair of eyes and ears when you start getting tired toward the end of your working day. If you work on busy premises with multiple entrances where identification needs to be checked, access control can help keep things moving. As far as CCTV systems go, they are a great tool you can use to keep an eye on the large buildings you are guarding. Using CCTV can even help you monitor multiple locations at once.
5. Technology, an Extra Layer of Protection
There are many lone workers within the security industry. Maybe you work the night shift, on a building site in a secluded countryside or in a store located in a busy city centre; technology, including lone worker alarms and protection, can help keep you safe. Surveillance systems can help you if you ever get caught up in an incident, and it’s your word against someone else’s. If you work on the inside of a premise that uses an access control system, it can protect you against trespassers and troublemakers.
Technology has come a long way in the past decade, but it has not replaced the role of the security guard. It is a useful tool to help security guards be more thorough in their roles. No two companies have the same needs in terms of security, some may favour manned guards while others might use technological alternatives. However, most will find that a mixture of manned guarding and technology works for their company. This provides benefits both in terms of effective security and alerts, cost savings and a human presence.
What do you think about technology in the security industry? Is it benefiting or harming your job? Let us know in the comments section below.
How to work in the security sector
If you are interested in working in the security sector, whether it be as a Door Supervisor, Security Guard or CCTV Operative, you will need to obtain a SIA Licence.
To obtain a SIA Licence, you will need to complete a course. Once you have completed the course, will you then be able to apply for an SIA Licence and work in the security sector.
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