Breaking free of the vicious circle

Looking at the sector as a whole, what the security industry needs is a cultural change [-] to take a fresh look and recognise the vital role it plays in any successful business operation. Then, security [-] in all its forms [-] must take its rightful place in the boardroom. It's common knowledge that, for most companies, security is still a grudge purchase, a low priority on the business agenda, but without it the business can be brought to its knees.

In essence, what we have is a vicious circle - the perceived low priority reinforces the culture of security as a 'bolt-on'. One way to change this attitude will be through a driving force that comes from within the industry itself.

Lobbying by the representative body of the industry to Government does help to influence the introduction of regulations. These regulations will help define its professional status. Legislation could force the corporate world to invest in the best systems rather than the bare minimum (or what will satisfy insurers). Typically, the approach to security is nothing but reactionary, and does not go the distance in using the benefits of effective security [-] namely to prevent, deter and provide evidence.

Without regulation, there is no objective and formal way of determining a level of quality or standard. No benchmark to prove the professionalism of one company compared to another. At present, there are no 'Barriers to Entry' if you want to become a security manager, consultant or installer. That being the case, how will this industry ever gain a professional reputation for itself?

Ascending the value chain

Some manufacturers have created an exclusive 'club' which only sells to those installers and solutions providers who offer the best services and maintain high standards that benefit the customer. The challenge of this approach is not to create elitism, but to encourage security installers to move up the value chain, wanting to raise their game and, in doing so, increase their profitability.

Training is a key part of the solution, and often achieves good results. However, on its own training will not be enough. The need for 'security culture' training [-] for want of a better phrase [-] could be the cornerstone that builds a new breed of security professional.

At present, there are no 'Barriers to Entry' if you want to become a security manager, consultant or installer. That being the case, how will this industry ever gain a professional reputation for itself?

Compared to my experiences of over 25 years in the IT industry, the security industry is still very much 'low tech'. Each year, new advances in technology make their way into the market, but uptake is generally slow. A traditional approach still wins the sale over more technically advanced and perhaps more innovative solutions. The proliferation of wired burglar alarm systems and analogue CCTV when compared with the number of wireless and digital solutions that offer equivalent or greater reliability and flexibility exemplifies this. There is still much reluctance in the UK to wholly embrace new technology.

The IT industry is probably about the same age as the security industry, yet they are light years apart. If the security industry could learn something useful from the IT sector that would help it to advance, though, what would this be?

What the IT sector has done is enabled individuals and organisations to increase productivity [-] potentially a difficult benefit for the security industry to demonstrate. Video analytics may be used to improve productivity and efficiencies as the technology improves and is embraced by its users. As the security industry drives the use of improved and more advanced technologies such as integrated solutions using access control, CCTV and intrusion detection, so improvements in productivity will create greater measurable efficiencies and cost savings (thus inducing more demand).

In a typical office environment we have gone from using a calculator to using a spreadsheet, and then on to a collaboration of spreadsheets. We can pass files back and forth to each other. What do we do in a typical security environment that would make for a suitable comparison? We capture CCTV images, previously on VHS cassette. Today, they are digitally recorded and shared along with other data, back and forth over a network. We can share information that will create greater efficiencies within businesses that will also assist the police service. However, the police service needs to be fully-equipped with the necessary IT and security systems to be able to view or analyse digital evidence. One hastens to add that this is not always the case.

'Plug-and-play' operability

Another advantage for the IT world was that it developed 'plug-and-play' operability, to make systems and tools easy to use regardless of the technical skill of the operator. This phrase is often coined in the security industry, but does it really apply? Manufacturers are trying to offer 'plug-and-play', particularly through product integration where everything fits 'seamlessly', but in truth this only applies if you buy everything from the same manufacturer. In the IT world, every manufacturer's products have the same operating system. Regardless of where you buy your monitor, hard drive or main frame, you can always find an interoperable solution that works without the need for additional configuration.

Ultimately, this comes back to regulation. Enforced regulation in the CCTV sector would benefit the installer and end user by forcing a common platform for all CCTV equipment.

The corporate security manager can take the lead in demanding the latest technology with a view to increasing productivity of the security function. In turn, this will lead to greater efficiencies while offering enhanced reliability and protection for people and property

What about IP? It has been available in the security domain for several years now, yet has still only been adopted by the pioneers in the industry. Why is this? Many installers are waiting for it to be accepted rather than pushing it out into the market and convincing end users that it is the best way to go. IP takes the security industry into the IT world, and brings with it the need to invest in training and a commitment to work through all the headaches that invariably come at the start of interaction with new or unfamiliar technologies.

The traditional security installer needs to develop or employ IT skills not just for the technical installation, but also in the sales process (which now very often involves an end user's IT Department).

Earlier this year I attended an industry Forum and was most surprised to learn that many end users admitted they are not too well informed in relation to the latest security technologies available. The inference being that installers do not take the risk of becoming involved with new technology, and therefore do not offer it to their customers. This contradicts our own experiences.

Security managers: take the lead!

At a recent Honeywell product launch, security installers were eager to learn about different technologies from other parts of the Honeywell Security business. A dichotomy for sure. Installers are embracing new technology as it creates the opportunity to expand their businesses. Moreover, if end users feel they are not aware of the latest technologies they should have visited IFSEC. What better place to compare the best of the UK's security industry providers under one roof?

The corporate security manager can take the lead in demanding the latest technology with a view to increasing productivity of the security function. In turn, this will lead to greater efficiencies while offering enhanced reliability and protection for people and property. At the end of the day, that is why we are all here.