Emerging Trends in Physical Security

Contemporary physical security is concerned with traditional security roles, assets protection, and loss prevention. All services are offered concurrent such that it cannot be cleared understood by a lay person. Emerging trends have kept the industry evolving rapidly.

Traditional security refers to routine tasks that involve control of access to premises through checks, credentials authentication and authorization. Asset protection means that it has responsibility to ensure that organization’s physical assets (on-premise or on-transit) are not stolen, tampered with or damaged. Finally, loss prevention function of security demands that whatever should constitute risk with potential for loss must be prevented by security.

Overtime physical security has been influenced by modern factors and realities of new world. Since 9/11/2001 terror attack on US, the perception and appreciation of security in general has been experiencing radical change. The service side is now a necessary evil. To some others it is a cost centre, yet to the conscious organization it is seen as business enabler that must be recognized and supported.

This article highlights the developing and emerging trends that have kept security services on its toes. To remain relevant and command budget allocation, security must go with the tide of modernity. Below are the emerging trends in physical security.

Sophisticated threat landscape: risk, threat and vulnerability are key components that is driving security service delivery. The goals are to ensure risks are strategically managed by proactive identification of threats and prompt resolutions for vulnerabilities. The threat model is increasingly evolving, threat actors have become sophisticated in knowledge, tools and collaboration.

Automated Access Control System: many organizations are abandoning traditional manual access control for digitalized and automated type. This approach may adopt fingerprint, facial recognition, biometric, voice command, etc.

Security Operations Centre: most businesses are currently either transforming their traditional CCTV control room to Security Operations Centre (SOC) or building new infrastructure. The centre serves as central hub for security operations. The core focus of SOC oftentimes includes Visual Surveillance System (VSS), Access Control System (ACS), and Intrusion Detection System (IDS). Security Operations Centre optimizes security service delivery for efficiency and agility where prompt response by a support Quick Response Force – QRF is the rule of thumb.

Automation Of Operations: with dominance of artificial intelligence, some routine functions of security are being replaced with automated process. Such automation may include Visitor Management System (VMS), Electronic Patrol Management System (EPMS), Incident Management System (IMS), etc. This automation enables standardization, consistency and efficiency.

Security Convergence: the gap between physical and cyber security is increasingly getting blurred. This novel approach enabled many organizations to integrate information technology solutions into physical security operations. For example, a facility may have physical deployment of guards at gate posts for physical security screening and digital boom barriers to compliment, at same time have a biometric access control at various access point in the buildings and restricted areas. All operations would be monitored real-time from a security operations centre.

Data Analytics: physical security is traditionally not a data-driven filed however, current trend is favoring practitioners and service takers who are able to generate data that provide insights for informed decisions.

Hybrid workforce: combining outsourced and proprietary security personnel to form a team with different background have become the norm in the industry.

Hybrid work schedule: some middle level and executive security personnel have adopted a flexible work pattern of having some days at work and some days at home within the week.

CPE & certifications: continuing professional education and certifications have become pillars of relevance and career growth for most security practitioners who are strategic about career success.

Regulations and compliance: new regulations have been established to control and coordinate practices and actions in security industry. To avoid business disruptions and possible severe sanctions, organizations are duty bound to adhere and comply.

Networking and collaboration: security practitioners, entrepreneurs, developers/technologists, etc. are appreciating the need to come together for mutual assistance and industry advancement. Networking and collaboration have form significant reference for stakeholders. Further to this, several organizations, institutes and interest groups have provided platforms for wiling players.

In conclusion, physical security industry has established its value as a go-to business enabler. Several factors as highlighted above are playing key roles to keep it thriving in line with demands of modern business world.

ALSO READ: 16 Trending Physical Security Threats Every Corporate Organization should Prepare to Deal with

About Author

Azubuike Nwenewo

is a seasoned Security Practitioner; Police Officer, Security Coach, Blogger and Author. He is passionate about peacebuilding and value protection. He is an advocate for positive peace and demilitarization. He likes reading and writing.

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