The Security Officer of the Future Has Arrived

A new report suggests the role of facility security officers has changed drastically in the post-9/11 era. With better training, integration with law enforcement and top-notch technical skills, are these officers more capable of protecting our facilities than ever?

In an article in the latest issue of Buildings magazine, J. Michael Coleman examines the state of today’s security officer and finds that the “security officer of the future has arrived.”

He discusses many of the changes made to these jobs, including training in digital applications like CCTV and fire safety systems, an increased awareness of potential threats, and better methods to track and control visitors.

“As the role of the security officer shifts, so has the size of the industry,” Coleman reports. “The Freedonia Group, an international business research company based in Cleveland, reports that the number of security officers employed is at a historically high level. In fact, the number of security officers working for private security firms is expected to increase by 3.6 percent per year, to 780,000 in 2010 from 537,000 in 2000.”

Coleman also gives advice on how readers can ensure their security officers are being optimally deployed throughout their facilities. He recommends state-of-the-art training, integrating technology into a single platform, and working more closely with law enforcement.