Evolving Security Trends: Shaping Client-Centric Solutions for a Safer Future

CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview with Ankur Sachdev, Managing Director- West & East, Peregrine Guarding (Tenon Group)

What are the emerging trends in the security landscape, and how are they influencing the types of security solutions clients require?

The manpower security landscape is evolving rapidly due to technological advancements, changing global security threats, and shifting societal expectations. These emerging trends are reshaping how organizations approach security and influencing the types of solutions they require. Here are some of the key trends and their impacts:

1. Integration of Technology with Physical Security – AI, drones, and robotics are enhancing traditional security. Clients now seek hybrid solutions, combining human personnel with tech for real-time monitoring and quicker responses.
2. Cybersecurity and Physical Security Convergence – With increasing cyber threats, businesses need integrated solutions that combine physical and cybersecurity. This demands cross-trained security teams.
3. Remote Monitoring and Virtual Guards – The rise of remote monitoring systems reduces the need for on-site staff, leading to increased demand for outsourced 24/7 monitoring services.
4. Risk-Based Security Solutions – Clients want tailored security solutions based on specific risks, prompting providers to offer flexible, scalable approaches.
5. Focus on Specialized Security Services – There’s a growing demand for niche services like event security, executive protection, and training for high-risk areas.
6. Sustainability and Ethical Security Practices – Clients seek security providers who align with CSR values, focusing on eco-friendly practices and staff well-being.
7. Increased Focus on Training and Certifications- As security risks become more complex, clients expect well-trained personnel skilled in both traditional and technological aspects of security.

How can human security personnel work alongside technological solutions to create a more effective security strategy?

Human security personnel can work alongside technological solutions to create a more effective security strategy through a combination of complementary roles, where technology enhances the capabilities of human operators and humans provide critical judgment and decision-making. Here’s how this synergy can be achieved:

1. Automation of Repetitive Tasks – Technology, including AI-driven surveillance cameras, drones, and access control systems, automates routine security tasks, enhancing real-time monitoring and reducing personnel workload. Meanwhile, human security staff focus on interpreting data, making decisions, and handling complex situations requiring judgment and empathy.
2. Real-Time Data and Intelligence Sharing – Advanced technologies like sensors, biometric systems, and IoT devices collect real-time data, which AI analyses to predict and detect security threats. Security personnel then interpret and verify this data, using their judgment and experience to assess complex situations.
3. Enhanced Communication and Coordination – Communication tools like mobile apps, secure radios, and integrated platforms enable real-time coordination between security personnel and technology, ensuring timely responses to incidents. Human personnel interpret the data, direct resources, and deploy technologies like drones, aligning actions with the security strategy.
4. Training and Simulation – Virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) provide immersive training simulations for security personnel, enhancing decision-making and tactical readiness. Security staff use these tools for hands-on experience, refining strategies and offering feedback to improve both human and technological performance.
5. Improved Security Coverage – AI-powered surveillance systems and drones offer continuous coverage in hard-to-reach or high-risk areas, enhancing security. Security personnel monitor situations where technology may fall short, such as in sensitive interactions or interpreting data anomalies.
6. Continuous Improvement and Adaptation – Data analytics and machine learning refine security strategies by identifying weaknesses and suggesting improvements based on historical data. Security personnel provide real-world feedback, adapting tactics to emerging threats and interpreting cultural or social factors that technology might miss.

How can security firms balance the rising cost of labour, technology, and infrastructure with the need to provide effective security services?

Balancing the rising costs of labour, technology, and infrastructure with the need to provide effective security services is a complex challenge for security firms. However, several strategies can help achieve this balance:

1. Optimize Operational Efficiency

• Process Automation: Use technology to automate routine security tasks like monitoring and reporting. Automated systems such as AI-driven surveillance, drones, or remote monitoring platforms can reduce the need for constant human intervention while maintaining high levels of vigilance.
• Data Analytics: Implement predictive analytics to improve resource allocation and reduce unnecessary labour costs. By analysing trends and patterns in security data, firms can better forecast risks and assign personnel and equipment where they are most needed.

2. Adopt Scalable and Flexible Technology

• Cloud-based Solutions: Cloud-based security management systems allow firms to scale their infrastructure without the high costs of physical infrastructure. These systems also offer more flexibility, allowing firms to quickly adapt to changing customer demands and security requirements.
• Integrated Systems: Using integrated security systems that combine video surveillance, access control, alarm systems, and other technologies can reduce the need for separate infrastructure, saving on maintenance costs and improving coordination.

3. Outsource Non-Core Services

• Outsourcing Specialized Roles: Certain roles or tasks, such as cybersecurity, can be outsourced to specialized providers, allowing the firm to focus on its core security services while controlling costs. This helps reduce the need for extensive in-house expertise and infrastructure.
• Remote Monitoring Services: Instead of having personnel stationed on-site for every security job, firms can use remote monitoring services that allow fewer on-site staff, reducing labour costs.

4. Invest in Employee Training and Retention

• Upskilling Workforce: Regularly investing in employee training helps ensure security personnel are more efficient, effective, and capable of handling high-tech tools, reducing turnover and improving service quality. A well-trained workforce is also better able to adapt to new technologies.

Retention Strategies: Offering competitive wages, benefits, and career advancement opportunities can help retain skilled workers, reducing recruitment costs and improving overall morale.

⁠⁠How can security providers assess and prioritize high-growth markets to scale their operations effectively?

To effectively scale security as an organization grows, security providers must assess, plan, and implement strategies that align with both immediate needs and long-term business objectives. Here’s a deeper dive into how to assess and prioritize high-growth markets for scaling security operations:

1. Assessing Impact involves evaluating the financial, reputational, legal, and operational risks of security breaches to prioritize them. By analyzing the severity and likelihood of these risks, security teams can focus on mitigating the most harmful threats to the organization.
2. Setting Growth Goals involves defining clear, measurable security objectives, such as improving incident response times or achieving compliance in new markets. These goals should align with the broader business growth strategy to ensure security practices evolve as the organization scales.
3. Optimizing processes involves using technology, such as automation, AI, and machine learning, to improve efficiency and reduce manual tasks. Regularly reviewing and refining security workflows ensures they can handle increased demands while maintaining effectiveness and adapting to new business priorities.
4. Staying compliant requires adhering to local and international regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA) as the organization expands. A flexible compliance framework helps the organization adapt to regulatory changes, ensuring smooth operations without compliance disruptions.
5. Emphasizing security training involves educating employees at all levels to recognize and respond to threats, including cybersecurity best practices and phishing attacks. Continuous learning ensures training programs remain current, adapting to new security challenges and evolving threat landscapes.
6. Investing in monitoring involves implementing real-time solutions for continuous visibility into network activity, allowing early detection of potential threats. Additionally, threat intelligence platforms help analyze emerging risks, enabling proactive defence against cyberattacks.
7. Fostering a security-conscious culture starts with leadership setting the tone by demonstrating a strong commitment to cybersecurity. Encouraging collaboration across security, IT, legal, and business teams ensures that security measures are integrated throughout the organization.

⁠⁠What are the benefits of collaborating with complementary industries (e.g., tech, construction, or facilities management) to expand operational reach and drive growth?

Collaborating with complementary industries, such as tech, construction, or facilities management, offers several benefits that can significantly expand operational reach and drive growth for businesses. Here are some key advantages:

1. Access to New Markets and Customers

Broader Audience: Partnering with complementary industries enables businesses to reach new customer segments. For example, a tech company teaming up with a construction firm can offer innovative solutions that attract both tech-savvy and traditional construction clients.

Cross-Selling Opportunities: Collaborations open up opportunities to cross-sell products and services to each other’s customer networks, enhancing sales potential.

2. Increased Innovation and Product Development

Leveraging Expertise: Collaborating with different industries combines unique expertise, leading to innovative solutions, such as smart building technologies or energy-efficient systems from a tech-facilities management partnership.

Faster R&D: Pooling resources and knowledge accelerates research and development, reducing time to market for new products or services.

3. Shared Resources and Cost Savings

Operational Efficiencies: Partnering with complementary industries allows businesses to share resources like infrastructure, technology, and talent, reducing costs and improving operational efficiency.

Risk Mitigation: Sharing responsibilities in large projects helps mitigate risks—financial, technical, or market-related—especially when entering new markets or launching complex initiatives.

4. Improved Competitiveness

Unique Value Proposition: Collaborating with complementary sectors enables companies to offer comprehensive solutions, such as a tech-construction partnership providing advanced building solutions that outpace traditional offerings.

Enhanced Brand Recognition: Partnering with established industry players boosts brand credibility and reputation, increasing customer trust and differentiating the business in the market.

5. Access to New Technologies and Innovation

Tech-Driven Growth: Collaborating with tech firms brings cutting-edge advancements like automation, data analytics, and AI, improving operations and delivering innovative solutions to clients.

Adoption of Best Practices: Cross-industry partnerships allow businesses to adopt best practices from each other, accelerating process improvements and system evolution.

6. Flexibility and Scalability

Scalable Solutions: Collaborating with complementary industries enables businesses to offer flexible, scalable solutions that can be adapted across markets or regions, such as tech solutions applied to various sectors or construction projects.

Faster Scaling: Partnerships leverage existing infrastructure, enabling quicker expansion and reducing barriers to scaling operations. that allows for faster expansion, minimizing the barriers to scaling operations.

7. Stronger Network and Strategic Alliances

Building Relationships: Partnerships help build stronger industry networks, opening doors to additional strategic alliances and expanding business opportunities.

Market Influence: Collaborating with influential partners enhances a business’s market position, providing access to key decision-makers and industry leaders.

8. Improved Customer Experience

Comprehensive Solutions: Partnerships can lead to integrated solutions, such as a tech-facilities management collaboration offering a unified platform for seamless building operations, enhancing customer satisfaction.

Tailored Offerings: By combining expertise, companies can create customized solutions that address the specific needs of customers across various industries.

In summary, collaborating with complementary industries enables businesses to combine strengths, reduce costs, expand into new markets, drive innovation, and ultimately create a stronger competitive position for sustainable growth.

⁠⁠What are the primary concerns for businesses when it comes to security today, and how can security providers address these concerns with customized solutions?

Businesses today face a wide range of security concerns. Some of the primary ones include:

1. Cybersecurity threats: Businesses are vulnerable to various types of cyberattacks, such as ransomware, phishing, and data breaches.
2. Data protection and privacy: With the increasing amount of sensitive data being collected and stored, businesses must ensure they comply with data protection regulations and maintain customer trust.
3. Physical security: Businesses need to protect their physical assets, such as premises, equipment, and employees, from threats like theft, vandalism, and terrorism.
4. Compliance and regulatory requirements: Businesses must comply with various security-related regulations and standards, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS.
5. Supply chain security: Businesses need to ensure the security of their supply chain, including third-party vendors and partners.

To address these concerns, security providers can offer customized solutions that meet the specific needs of each business. Here are some ways security providers can tailor their solutions:

1. Risk assessment and consulting: Security providers can conduct risk assessments to identify potential security threats and provide recommendations for mitigation.
2. Customized security protocols: Security providers can develop customised security protocols that align with a business’s specific needs and industry regulations.
3. Integrated security solutions: Security providers can offer integrated security solutions that combine multiple security services, such as cybersecurity, physical security, and compliance management.
4. Managed security services: Security providers can offer managed security services, where they monitor and manage a business’s security systems and respond to security incidents.
5. Employee awareness and training: Security providers can offer employee awareness and training programs to educate employees on security best practices and the importance of security.

By offering customized solutions, security providers can help businesses address their specific security concerns and improve their overall security posture.