Security trends for 2022
As 2021 draws to a close, now is the time to review, assess and prepare for 2022. Three key security trends will continue to impact the traditional protective security service model profile.
IT is a force multiplayer
Security trends
Security trends in 2022
1. Cloud service model
The cloud is the future. In 2021 the IT industry spent $74.3 billion U.S. dollars on cloud infrastructure in 2021, generating revenues of $300 billion. The importance of this infrastructure is reflected in the expected industry CAGR to be 26.2%, for the 2021 to 2028 period.
The pandemic is largely responsible for the surging demand for cloud. As Work From Home (WFH) online usage and remote work spiked, there’s been a global shift to accelerate digital transformation.
To thrive in the long run, physical security professionals will need to follow the lead of other industries, their IT departments and determine how to best leverage cloud technology in the years ahead. In 2021, more chief technology officers will let go of the division between cloud and on-premises physical security systems, and embrace a hybrid deployment model.
This trend will allow security teams to migrate to newer mobile focused technologies, minimise their hardware foot point and reduce overhead costs. Cost is an important consideration, with a softer global growth forecast of 4.9% in 2022.
2. Cyber and systems knowledge
As per the aforementioned trend to cloud computing, organisations are investing in security systems that are force multipliers. The result is a pressing need for security managers to have an understanding from the outset when purchasing or upgrading systems, how they will integrate into the organisational landscape and the cyber security protocols. This understanding is critical as a first line of defence against cyber threat actors. If your security team doesn’t have a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or access to one, you will need one. It will make navigating cyber, privacy, data and compliance easier.
3. CCTV and insight generation
CCTV is no longer about what happened. It needs to answer the ‘what is happening now’ and ‘what may occur in the future.’ Traditionally CCTV was for security staff and investigators to identify what occurred and why. The requirement now is that CCTV must provide greater insights into what is happening now, for a cross section of staff within an organisation. Requirements include staff occupancy management for HR and safety teams, customer pathway tracking for Operations and security teams to monitor and manage their scope.
Modern CCTV systems, with AL and ML capabilities provide insight into workflow patterns, which mean security staff can be deployed at time and at locations, when actually required, rather than against fixed rosters.
A use case study in the case of COVID-19 management, is how CCTV will need to support occupancy management and the ability to count the number of people within a location. This will be a key focus for management as business shifts gear, to a somewhat new normal. This will gain traction in early 2022, as start return to the office in a situation dependent, hybrid format. This CCTV data will need to generate actionable intelligence on:
- occupancy load and usage by location
- how specific spaces are being used over time
- opportunities for overhead cost reductions
The cost of these upgraded systems is sizeable, which means they must be able to service multiple requirements. If your system can’t answer these, it’s time to upgrade.
Keeping pace
The security profile is changing. It still requires people with the right attitude and aptitude to make it work. However, the systems must keep pace with changing workforce requirements, and a need to support organisational objectives. Without this awareness, back of house teams may be candidates in 2022 for cost saving focused restructures.
Conclusion
Global events are accelerating changes to the protective security profile. The takeaway as we approach 2022 is how prepared and postured is your protective security to embrace these IT related trends?