Emerging role of security professionals
Global security hypothesis, which is an evolutionary perspective of international geo-political/strategic scenarios, defines the road map for formulating security strategies and plans for organizations operating at regional/international levels.
It is, therefore, important that security professionals at all levels remain abreast with changing security patterns and emerging trends impacting security paradigm.
Recent transformative shifts in some political and economic corridors around the globe have profound impact on international security landscape.
Rising income/wealth disparity, polarization in societies and misuse of technologies have adversely affected the security environments.
The situation demands a wider range of stakeholders be involved to create updated security postulate and implementing solutions.
The security industry is in a stage of redefining itself. Growing interdependence between security and business sectors has become bottom line to meet the challenging situation.
Demanding greater attention from business leaders and giving them evolving role in formulating tailor-made security strategies, will be essential.
The security sector will have to adjust its framework and processes, create a culture of integrated risk management, and venture outside their traditional role to interface closely with business sector.
The role of security professionals is now practically merging into business management chain, especially in the field of customer services, business intelligence and maintenance support.
To this end, it will be important that the security professionals are appropriately groomed to take on these roles effectively.
Security and customer service go hand in glove. By welcoming visitors with a warm and friendly smile and providing them the information/assistance they may be looking for, the security staff plays an enormous role of customer services.
This process also greatly helps them identifying suspicious behaviours and individuals, so important from security point of view.
Security staff are the first and mostly the last people, the customers get to meet during their visit to business premises.
Their behaviour and support can be a very effective form of indirect marketing. Their smart appearance, vigilance, communication skills, and knowledge are the cornerstones of a good customer service.
The successful execution of a customer-centric culture will require their effective mentoring, in alignment with client’s objectives.
Another area requiring close collaboration between security staff and the business sector is gathering Business intelligence (BI) using security surveillance cameras/CCTV network and other related technical facilities.
It is a complex process, but some tools can simplify these procedures through streamlined processes.
However, expanding data management, requires a comprehensive security framework. The role of maintenance staff working with facilities management companies has also expanded beyond repairing, installing, and inspecting minor hardware fittings.
Formulating and executing Facility’s Emergency Response Plans is one of their main functions for which they require close coordination/cooperation with security staff.
To sum-up, security sector needs to build in the resilience required to cope with the upcoming challenges by:
(a).Modifying and re-shaping roles and responsibilities at various tiers of their management chain.
(b).Developing crisis leadership characteristics.
(c).Identifying, grooming, and mobilizing the most relevant and trust-worthy expertise.
(d).Creating a culture of integrated risk management and multi-stakeholder partnership.
—The writer is Security Consultant/Managing Director Security Managers LLC, Dubai, UAE.
