Security now and beyond: the Chief Executive ' s view

2 2 0 2 R O F W E I V

SECURITY NOW AND BEYOND 2022

Our Chief Executive Mike Reddington looks back over the last 12 months and discusses the opportunities and challenges for 2022 and beyond.

BY KATHERINE INGRAM

In the last 12 months the professional security industry has evolved immensely from the increase in adoption of digital solutions to the changing perceptions of our security officers and the focus on recognition. Major current affairs events have played a role in these developments but there is still work to be done.

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen security officers and our industry recognised as key workers through our lobbying efforts which took place in Spring 2020. This has pushed security personnel more into the public eye and was the driving force behind the creation creation of the ‘Hidden Workforce – Perceptions’ campaign, which is now being promoted by the Security Commonwealth, of which the BSIA are a key player and driving force.

Despite the pandemic enforcing many changes, our sector has proved its resilience and it’s important to recognise how the industry has ensured business continuity as its customer’s needs changed. With these changes came an increase in the use of digital solutions, and our industry saw a rapid expansion in acceptance and usage in new applications such as; thermal imaging cameras, which were high in demand as a first point of infection detection with body temperature checks at points of entry to buildings.

We also saw an increase in the usage of contactless access control solutions, along with occupancy and people flow management solutions, which are likely to be with us for some time in the ‘ new normal’ as buildings reduce occupancy as much as 50% to comply with social distancing recommendations and keep further pandemic outbreak risks to a minimum.

An increase in the usage of contactless access control solutions, along with occupancy and people flow management solutions, are likely to be with us for some time in the ‘new normal’ as buildings reduce occupancy as much as 50% to comply with social distancing recommendations.

Security now and beyond

Alongside the pandemic the security industry has been faced with challenges arising from the UK transition, supply chain issues, export challenges, and the migration from analogue to digital telephone networks across the UK. As we move into year two of the UK transition there is a vast amount of work being undertaken by the BSIA to ensure our governing standards, originally developed in conjunction with the EU, are adapted appropriately to ensure adherence is as straight forward as possible for security businesses. This work will evidently allow a smoother trading process between the UK and EU.

The ongoing financial impact of the pandemic is expected to be seen in 2022, as the furlough scheme ends in the second half of 2021 and the new year will shine a light on how well businesses are coping. Manufacturers will have to prepare for a change to their CE marking to include UKCA: despite the BSIA lobbying for and receiving an extension this will still come at a cost. Albeit on a positive note, BSIA members across multiple industry sectors are seeing an industry with work levels similar to pre-pandemic periods. So the future for our sector is looking more positive.

In terms of key trends, cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automated Facial Recognition (AFR) are hot topics which are continuously talked about in the mainstream media. Our recent AFR guide on the ethical and legal usage of this technology is now visible on the Gov UK homepage and is now being developed into a BSI code of practice.

With so much transformation taking place in our industry, members of the BSIA and businesses across the security sector are ideally positioned to engage in the initiatives taking place, speaking up with their support and/or opinions. Through this support the BSIA can ensure they represent the full breadth of the industry ’s requirements which will help shape and develop the professional security industry of the future.

As we move into year two of the UK transition there is a vast amount of work being undertaken by the BSIA to ensure our governing standards, originally developed in conjunction with the EU, are adapted appropriately to ensure adherence is as straight forward as possible for security businesses.