Secur i t y in T


he pandemic has disrupted so many aspects of our lives and fast-tracked significant changes


to security, what are the long-lasting implications for security for 2021 and beyond?


For a long time, security has been transitioning to a more behind-the-scenes role. While officers may be prominent for some businesses, much of the work was dependent on technology such as sensors and CCTV cameras. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has altered this.


When social distancing came into place, almost overnight, many retail centres and warehouses were left empty. With the often complex logistics of home working to be worked out where possible, many building managers did not have the time or capacity to also prepare a building to be left entirely empty long-term. Security officers, designated as key workers, became central to ensuring these buildings remained secure. While this work essentially remained behind-the-scenes, the re-opening of shops and offices has changed this completely.


We have already seen the more prominent role security officers have taken in many shops. In key outlets such as food suppliers, security officers were essential in ensuring that people remained civil and followed social distancing guidelines which often required customers to queue outside shops. Since more shops have opened and masks have become mandatory, officers are now ensuring everyone plays their part in minimising the risks posed by the pandemic.


Officers at the forefront


While security is vastly more than the officer on duty, the public is often unaware of this. Many, for the most part, will disregard the officer too. Essentially, security streamlines day-to-day activities and is only prominent when there is an incident such as a shoplifter. The pandemic might be the biggest incident of them all. Very rapidly, officers have been brought to the forefront of day-to-day functioning in retail and this is likely to last for a long while to come.


The pandemic has disrupted so much of what we previously took for granted and made many seemingly certain aspects of our lives suddenly unpredictable. In times like this, figures with some authority, such as security officers, can be a deeply reassuring presence.


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Those at higher risk or shielding someone at high risk will be reassured that if they feel at risk from someone who is failing to follow guidelines, there is someone to turn to. Though rare, there has also been disruption from people refusing to follow any guidelines and reacting angrily when confronted. Security officers provide the reassurance that any such disruption can be easily managed.


Security in 2021


Regardless of how long the pandemic lasts for, the way the public looks at socialising, shopping and day-to-day life may have changed forever. For many, the pandemic has been traumatic and settling back into life as it was before is simply not an option.


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2019 2020 Security & the pandemic in 2021 and beyond


Security officers have always played an important role as a first point of contact in many public places but with tensions still high, they will need to use even more care and tact when talking to the public. Officers will likely continue to have additional front-of-house roles for as long as COVID-19 remains in the population.


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these incidences with as little disruption to others as possible.


Taking temperature checks and ensuring people are wearing masks will be the norm, and officers will need to be able to manage situations where people need to be turned away from a building. Whether because they have forgotten their mask or their temperature is too high, being turned away from a building will be enough to cause some people to become angry. Officers will need to manage


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Soft skills will become more important in the security sector. Officers will be depended on not just to to ensure that regulations are adhered to but also to be up to date on changing regulations. They will need to be able to explain these clearly and tactfully both to clients and to members of the public.


Security consultancy will likely become more important. This pandemic has not only disrupted individual lives; shops and businesses which were forced to close suddenly may have had a reminder of their own vulnerabilities.


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