security guard

Demand for Security Guards, Cybersecurity Workers Remains High Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Security companies are scrambling to hire guards and IT workers as businesses worry about break-ins to closed properties and cybersecurity issues associated with working remotely.

With more than 20 million Americans becoming unemployed in just the past four weeks due to the COVID-19 crisis, security companies have actually taken steps to expand their workforce thanks to increased demand for security guards and cybersecurity employees.

Business owners across the country are concerned about leaving their properties unmanned during widespread lockdowns amid fears of an uptick in crime. Security companies are responding to the increase in demand for these essential workers.

Allied Universal announced its intention to hire more than 30,000 security professionals nationwide over the next two months this week. And Securitas said on Tuesday that it is planning to add nearly 1,000 security guard jobs in California in addition to its existing workforce of 15,000, according to CBS SF Bay Area.

“It is becoming increasingly common for our clients to request our assistance in supporting their own emergency management efforts, such as guarding hospitals, healthcare facilities, clinics and grocery stores,” Kimberly Carson, the vice president of human resources for the Securitas Pacific Region, said in a statement. “These organizations need security services assistance from our first responder security officers.”

Citiguard, another security services provider in California, is planning to add 500 guards in the Los Angeles area. Sami Nomair, the president of the company, told CBS Los Angeles that demand has been “really high for hospitals for security services.”

“Urgent Cares have added extra security services,” Nomair said. “We’ve gotten calls where people have been robbed. We had a call that just came in yesterday from a client of ours in Irvine that had 15 golf carts stolen.”

There is also still high demand for cybersecurity workers, who are also considered essential amid a wave of employees shifting to working from home. A CyberVista report published on Thursday noted that the global economic depression has spared “very few sectors,” but that it appears many organizations are still actively seeking cybersecurity talent. According to LinkedIn statistics, approximately 261,545 cybersecurity jobs were posted on the site within the past 30 days, including positions in the IT and financial services sectors.

Companies were already struggling to close a major cybersecurity jobs gap, but the pandemic has only exacerbated the need for cybersecurity skills, according to CyberVista.

“The sudden shift to remote and distance work created a dire need for cybersecurity professionals to secure networks, technology, and personnel activity,” the report reads. “One of the most efficient ways for organizations to keep up with shifting personnel profiles is to turn their talent hunt inward and upskill or reskill existing employees. This is an ideal opportunity for these organizations to identify alternative sources of talent that could be reskilled into cybersecurity roles.”

CyberVista researchers also noted that the massive toll of the pandemic may lead unemployed Americans to explore cybersecurity careers in a way they may never have considered.

“Like other times of economic disruption and dislocation, this is also an opportunity for individuals looking to switch careers or break into the cybersecurity industry,” the report reads. “Evidence and experience has shown that some of the best cybersecurity profiles start out with the same skills that would lead to success across a myriad of positions: self-motivation, critical thinking, interpersonal communication, and other ‘soft’ skills.”

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Mall of America Deploys AI-Powered Analytics to Enhance Parking Intelligence

    Mall of America®, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Axis Communications to deploy cutting-edge car-counting video analytics across more than a dozen locations. With this expansion, Mall of America (MOA) has boosted operational efficiency, improved safety and security, and enabled more informed decision-making around employee scheduling and streamlining transportation for large events. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Launches New “askSIA” AI Tool

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has unveiled a brand-new SIA member benefit – askSIA, a conversational AI agent designed to help users get the most out of their SIA membership, easily access SIA resources and find the latest information on SIA’s training and courses, reports and publications, events, certification offerings and more. SIA members can easily find askSIA by visiting the SIA homepage or looking for the askSIA icon in the top left of webpages. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Industry Embraces Mobile Access, Biometrics and AI

    A combination of evolving workplace dynamics, technology innovation and new user expectations is changing how people enter and interact with physical spaces. Access control is at the heart of these changes. Combined with biometrics and AI, mobile access control has become increasingly crucial for deploying entry solutions that are seamless, secure and adaptive to user needs. Read Now

  • Sustainable Video Solution Delivered for Landmark City of London Office Development

    An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives. Read Now

  • DHS to End ‘Shoes-Off’ Travel Policy

    Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced a new policy today which will allow passengers traveling through domestic airports to keep their shoes on while passing through security screening at TSA checkpoints. Read Now

New Products

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.