Risk & Regulation: how the security industry can navigate legislative change
With a new government comes a wealth of legislative change and much of that new legislation directly impacts the security industry.
Our sector has adapted quickly in recent years to a range of evolving threats, from the increased threat of terrorism to evolving cyber security threats. As a result, we’ve already come a long way from the old ‘boots on the ground’ approach. But one thing that is constant is change, and we need to make sure we stay ahead of the fast-moving regulatory landscape and put the best foot forward to continue to keep people safe and support customers who are preparing to oblige with new legislation.
From safer workplaces…
On 26 October, the Worker Protection Act came into force, putting the onus on employers to take ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent physical and sexual harassment in the workplace. Combined with the Employment Rights Bill, which states that employers must be taking ‘all reasonable steps’ to prevent harassment in their workplace, the message is clear – there must be a proactive effort to protect colleagues from harassment before incidents arise. Mitie’s recent research, as part of its Security Radar report, found that over two fifths (42%) said onsite security risks have increased in the past year and half (51%) are already upgrading surveillance and monitoring systems to help protect colleagues.
According to a survey by FFA Security Group, almost three quarters (70%) of respondents from the security industry said they had experienced sexual harassment, rising to a shocking 99% among female respondents so as an industry, we need to step up.
Whilst the reasonable measures set out by the Act aren’t prescribed, there are a range of tools and techniques that can be used.
For example, a measure to help increase feelings of safety and offer a response team should a colleague experience harassment is providing lone workers with compact handheld devices that send the exact GPS to a monitoring team, either when a button is pressed, or the device senses extreme movement. A monitoring team can then undertake a real-time risk assessment, listening in to assess the level of threat, speaking to the colleague directly through the device if it’s safe to do so, and calling the emergency services if necessary.
Similarly, we can work hand in hand with HR teams to support customers in making sure the right security measures are in place to prevent harassment. This might mean increasing video surveillance systems to ensure any hidden areas are covered, or increasing physical guarding on high occupancy days.
…To safer communities
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill or Martyn’s Law is another piece of legislation that will have implications for security teams. Recently introduced to Parliament, the Bill requires those responsible for publicly accessible venues to take steps to improve the safety of visitors and prepare for the event of a terrorist attack.
This means venues will need support from security teams in carrying out comprehensive security risk assessments, informing appropriate security plans for all venues. Where there are security plans in place, venues will need the support of security teams to amend these to make sure they cover counter-terrorism.
Digital technology, and intelligence, are also an increasingly important resource for venues. Our intelligence teams generate reports on local and national threat levels based on open-source data gathering, such as through police crime data and social media, and also incident reports submitted by security officers on the ground through our Merlin 24/7 software.
This means we can raise the alert and share intelligence with our customers, as well as the police and transport hubs, as soon as threats arise, and coordinate a quick and slick response.
Finally, training is required to help security officers deal with the event of a terrorism attack. Security professionals will be expected to complete the ACT (Action Counter Terrorism) Awareness learning course which teaches operatives to increase awareness and preparedness. There is also the opportunity to put these learnings into practice through practical training and exercising.
Three steps for success: collaboration, technology and upskilling
Ultimately, the focus on security-related Bills passing through Parliament calls for the security sector to ensure it has the strongest and most effective approaches in place to support a safer society where colleagues and wider communities are protected from harm.
The three key focuses for the sector to approach this challenge and prepare for legislation are collaboration (whether that’s between HR, facilities management and security teams or between the public and private sector), technology and upskilling.
By continuing to work together, sharing best practice, and insights to identify risks and ensure the most proportionate and suitable security measures are in place; integrating intelligence and technology into all security strategies; and providing training so that security professionals understand emerging risks and regulations, our sector will set itself up for success in navigating legislative change.
Barrie Millett
Director of Assurance & Corporate Security, Mitie