Stephen Hollings, pictured, Commercial Director at The Shield Group, discusses whether manned guarding solutions are coming under threat from recent advances in smart technology.
As CCTV and remote monitoring have made rapid advances in recent years, an increasing number of people are asking what the future holds for manned guarding. The role of security officers has developed significantly over the last few decades as new technologies have been introduced, enhancing nearly every aspect of their role. In the past, a security officer was often limited to a basic two-way radio, a flashlight and keys. Today individuals must be highly qualified, technology savvy and custom-trained for the specific environment in which they will be working. Officers may oversee complex security systems that can track and control hundreds of visitors, screening every object from a ticket to a lorry, monitoring multiple video feeds and operating remote access-control systems.
There is a growing feeling across the sector that as CCTV and monitoring technology comes into its own, manned guarding solutions will slowly fade into the background. The advances made in recent years are striking – the UK government only last year announced plans to introduce CCTV cameras that in addition to recording video footage can also recognise and track faces from up to half a mile away. Developers are working on the next generation of CCTV cameras which will be able to identify criminals amongst busy crowds to help prevent criminal attacks. Within years there could be cameras that are able to recognise suspicious or aggressive behaviour, weapons and even terrorist activity. The fear is that the automation of such skills could make machines more feasible and cost-effective than using traditional manpower.
However, we must remember that despite the advances in smart technology, manned guarding still has a multitude of fundamental advantages. For instance, the visibility of guards on-site is proven to act as a deterrent to vandals or thieves. If a security breach does occur, a physical human presence would mean that the risk of losing assets is minimal as, unlike alarm systems or CCTV, there would be no window of time for criminals to help themselves to whatever they want. When incidents do occur, security officers are able to make a judgment, confront the individual and deal with the situation appropriately. In addition to this, individuals are able to maximise the functionality of any equipment on site, as well as keep an eye on other urgent matters such as weather or utility problems.
The best security solution lies in creating the right balance which combines both technology and manned guarding in a way that supports and complements each other in an intelligent, cost-effective way. This approach, such as the Total Securities Solution (TSS) model offered by The Shield Group, would help security firms improve their overall efficiency to deliver a safe, secure solution to their clients. The London Olympics 2012 highlighted the need for this multi-tiered approach, after the military had to be drafted in to protect the Games due to a massive shortage of security officers. The riots across the UK in the summer of 2011 also demonstrated this need, when London businesses which had guards present on their premises did not lose as much money and stock as the businesses only protected by CCTV.
Our experience shows that even in this era of rapid technological advancement, security providers should keep their focus on productivity gains and a return on investment for their clients. At Shield, we believe the focus should be on offering a quality, dedicated service in order to best respond to all customised security needs and concerns. No-one should underestimate the importance and value of the human element in security, as people have the ability to apply a common sense interpretation to situations and respond accordingly. Although any improvements in security solutions are obviously welcomed, a TSS approach allows providers to focus on customer care and management through balanced and objective programmes, supported by the use of advanced technological platforms. Many firms are slowly recognising that security requirements are altering and the advances are not only technological but also in the needs of a business, meaning that none of us can afford to be stagnant.
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