SWOT Analysis: security personnel

We asked Guy Mathias FSyI, F.ISRM, CSSC Eastern Region Chair to carry out a SWOT analysis on security personnel – looking at the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats for those working in this sector.

 Strengths

We have some impressive people joining our profession and a real appetite amongst many to put the hard yards in to develop themselves and to be successful.

Weaknesses

The long-standing association for security to be classified as an ancillary service still hinders attracting many that are of good calibre. Investment is required by companies to provide layered training for individuals and multi-person contracts in team exercises.

Opportunities

There has never been a better opportunity for the private security sector to shape and influence security in all its guises given the financial pressures in the public sector and how this can inhibit what the police can – and cannot – continue to provide to the public and wider community. It does require those of us involved to be agile and innovative in the provision of security solutions.

I believe there is a real requirement for enhanced recruitment to seek to attract those who would not ordinarily consider security as a first-choice profession. This does require investment from across the sector to raise standards and the quality of those being recruited.

Threats

The risk of terrorism will continue unabated in today’s complex and unstable world as will major climate-threat events.

For those providing guarding staff, the technology evolution will continue apace and thus there will be a threat to some roles and facilities currently protected by security personnel.

If we do not continue to enhance the capability and training for our front-line personnel, we will continue to suffer from the perception of being under-qualified and poorly trained.