SECuRiTYPROViDERS: continued from page 12 Changing role: part of the business
The role of security service providers is continually evolving. During the past few years, the high-profile role of security during the pandemic has accelerated this change. Many security providers report being viewed as an integral part of all our clients’ teams.
Scott Gough, MD at UniTrust, says: “We are trusted to deliver far more than the security personnel to physically protect people and places. We are relied upon to share intelligence, bring new ideas to the table, be innovative, and use the best security technologies and ways of thinking when it comes to providing security. Above all, we are expected to have the skills to anticipate, analyse and deliver every possible risk scenario for our clients and mitigate against them.”
Barry Dawson at Wilson James agrees that there has been a huge change in the role of security companies: “We are now expected to manage and operate Security Operation Centres (SOCs) and Global Security Operation Centres (GSOC)s on behalf of clients and drive other areas such as Equality, Diversity and Sustainability. We are evolving into a true partner with clients.”
Security staff training and development is a crucial area. Neill Catton, Managing Director at
CIS Security, commented: “In the 80s and 90s, the training academies of organisations such as Group 4 and Sabrewatch were excellent. Later, market pressure created a reduction in staff development as margins were reduced. But discerning customers now understand the value of professional security officers more than ever and employee development is much higher on the agenda.”
Barrie Millett from Mitie concludes: “The security industry has changed significantly over the past few decades, we’ve come a long way from simply providing ‘boots on the ground’. We’ve developed smart technology, become more agile in how we support our customers, and play a greater role in ensuring public safety.
“The use of digital technology has brought a new level of sophistication to security operations and, as a result, security teams now have access to key data and insights that can unlock information on crime trends, threat profiles, and crime risk profiles – all at the click of a button.
“Being agile is critical for security companies as it allows us to quickly react to challenges and remain resilient. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, this enabled us to rapidly mobilise support for the government in providing essential security services and key workers, such as running test centres or
conducting security risk assessments for vaccine sites, and keep the nation moving at such difficult times.
“Security organisations are now responsible for more than just supporting customer operations, we also help to protect the public. As an example, working closely with other security stakeholders and emergency services, we design and co-ordinate enhanced training exercises for our customers. This ensures that blue light services are working collaboratively to prepare for major incidents, from protests to terrorist attacks, enabling quicker and slicker responses.
The perception of security
The public perception of private security in the UK has evolved too in the last decade. The British public now accept private security officers as legitimate and their perception and understanding of the role of private security is improving. But there is more to do. Scott Gough: “While our industry role has evolved, sadly I don't think the perception outside of the industry has changed enough. If you think about recruitment as one example, I guarantee every security company will confirm how challenging it is to fill vacancies even when there is high unemployment. Security is often dismissed out of hand because there is a view that it is simply all about being a front-line worker, and it is not seen as a profession or
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