Taking a Look at the Future of Security

Taking a Look at the Future of Security

Speculation of future technologies and solutions in the security industry is always a fun thing to do. In fact, in our November/December issue of Security Today, I’ll be featuring some comments from Martin Gren and Fredrik Nilsson of Axis Communications.

For now, I want to share some insight from Steve Jones, CEO of Allied Universal, from a recent ZOOM call. What struck me most; Allied Universal is hiring. This isn’t just a couple bodies here and there but hundreds of people who want to go to work.

In our conversation, Jones talked about convergence, and how for several it has been a topic of conversation within the industry. “We’re now at a tipping point,” Jones said. Chances are that the ongoing pandemic is playing a major role in the perception of the future, and where human guarding is headed.

“We are doing a few things in human guarding that we haven’t done before,” Jones said. “With our guarding services we’re able to manage trends, and we are seeing security at the highest levels. We have been, and we are, training Allied Universal staff to do things in the health safety field, such as a health screening as people walk into a facility.”

Jones also said that customers, current and new, are looking a human guarding in a different kind of light, that being guarding during open and close times. He also said that the ongoing social unrest, storms and fires play a key role in keeping a business and the people who work inside, safe and secure.

“We’ve produced a reference guide for our customers that points out options for safety, the equipment needed and the need to preserve social distancing on site,” Jones said. “We have created a team we call Care Ambassadors that have been trained, and are able to take a person’s temperature, and know what to do if there is an issue.”

Has the human guarding slowed in recent months? No, the abundant hiring says no way. Increases are happening at distribution centers, where, in fact, there has been a noticeable increase. Again, it has become increasingly necessary to protect against possible unruly protests and civil disobedience. Same goes for multi-tenant office structures and healthcare facilities. Jones also said city and state governments are beefing up human guarding.

As workplaces, schools and campuses return to work and education, the need for more guards continues, and that trend will continue well into 2021.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

Featured

  • Allegion, Comfort Technologies Implement Mobile Credentials at the Artisan Apartment Homes in Florida

    Artisan Apartment Homes, a luxury apartment complex in Dunedin, Florida, recently transitioned from mechanical keys to electronic locks and centralized system software with support from Allegion US, a leading provider of security solutions, technology and services, and Florida-based Comfort Technologies, which specializes in deploying multifamily access control, IoT devices and software management solutions. Read Now

  • 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

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.