A Look to The Future: What Does 2023 Hold for the Security Provider
By: Jon Polly | Jan 09, 2023
2022 was a year of rebuilding. It was a year of turning the ship, righting the course, and getting back to the business of providing security services and technology. For some, it proved profitable; for others, it was a finale. For many, it was a year of mergers. It seemed like every month, a handful of companies had been purchased, with a few deep-pocket companies making a majority of the acquisitions.
In addition, 2022 was filled with a constant “hurry up and wait” for parts held in backlog due to supply chain issues. The trade shows were filled with new vendors as traditional technology manufacturers decided to skip the events, saving precious money and avoiding unanswerable questions, such as “what is the estimated lead time?” Although many expected press releases were not released due to supply chain holdups, trade shows were very much back in business with record attendance and creative ways to draw people in.
As 2022 wraps up, what does 2023 bring? There is no crystal ball to give us a clear answer. However, some changes are coming to the security industry. Here is a look ahead to this coming year.
Training
Training is an important piece of every company. Many of the training resources listed below are credentialed programs with industry recognition, applicable not only to the security integrator, but to the manufacturer, consultants, and guard companies as well.
Security Industry Association (SIA) Certifications
SIA is a standard writing body that has developed two mid-career certifications. The Security Industry Cybersecurity Certification (SICC) and the Certified Security Project Manager (CSPM).
Security Industry Cybersecurity Certification (SICC)
The SICC has been developed to provide a functional understanding of cybersecurity issues and to provide integrators and consultants key insight into how to prepare and harden systems to prevent cyberattacks.
Certified Security Project Manager (CSPM)
The CSPM has been created to help security integrators better deliver security projects. The CSPM offers an industry advantage and working knowledge of project management techniques.
Vector Firm Sales Training
Vector Firm is an online sales academy that offers “Netflix-style content for Salespeople and Sales Leaders.” The reality is that the salesperson can no longer sell the same way they did pre-pandemic. While most integrators state they are growing, imagine the growth with training directed specifically to the security industry.
ASIS International
ASIS International has been around for many years. In years past, there were not many requests for proposals (RFP) that did not require a Certified Protection Professional (CPP®) or a Physical Security Professional (PSP®) certification. Admittedly, there are fewer of these requirements, and arguments around the need for these are increasing in many professional discussions. Time will tell on their usefulness.
Certified Protection Professional (CPP®)
The CPP has for many years been defined as the quintessential credential for anyone managing security personnel. The CPP can be applied for by anyone with 5-7 years of security experience and at least three years in security management.
Physical Security Professional (PSP®)
The PSP is designed for anyone designing and installing security technology. It emphasizes physical security assessments using CPTED, application design, security system integration and implementation, and project management. The PSP can be applied for by anyone who has 3-5 years in the physical security field.
Professional Certified Investigator (PCI®)
The PCI is designed to show proof of knowledge in case management, evidence collection, and preparation of expert testimony. The PCI can be applied for by anyone with 3-5 years in investigations experience, with at least 2 years in case management.
Associate Protection Professional (APP®)
The APP measures the security professional’s knowledge of security management fundamentals, business operations, risk management, and response management. The APP can be applied for by anyone with 1-3 years of security management.
BICSI Certification
BICSI offers eight credential certifications, designed for the installation and design of information and communications technology. BICSI is the primary certifications for data companies, but many security providers also provide data services as part of their value offer. Many of the BICSI credentials are required as part of RFP responses.
Installer and Technician
The Installer and Technician category has four of the eight certifications. The four certifications are cabling certifications to validate industry knowledge and experience.
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- BICSI Technician (TECH)
- BICSI Installer 1 (INST 1)
- BICSI Installer 2, Copper (INSTC)
- BICSI Installer 2, Optical Fiber (INSTF)
Registered Telecommunications Project Manager (RTPM)
The RTPM is a project management certification focused around infrastructure and data center applications. The RTPM offers the data infrastructure what SIA’s CSPM offers the security industry.
Outside Plant Designer (OSP)
The OSP certification is the premier certification for designing fiber optic solutions. This credential or equivalent is required for most fiber layout designs.
Data Center Design Consultant (DCDC)
The DCDC is the premier certification for Data center design. Data centers have specific ways they are laid out, requiring an optimization of power and space. The DCDC credentialed individual can deliver this.
Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD)
The RCDD is the quintessential credentialed certification for design integration and implementation of information and communications technology. The RCDD is required on RFPs that include large data cabled implementations.
HES
HES, a division of ASSA Abloy, offers hands-on installation classes throughout the year in a city close to most security providers. The classes are typically hosted by the local sales representative firm (Rep Firm) at a distributor in the area. There are other HES instructor led classes depending on skill level and requirement that may be of interest as well.
Electric Strike Installation
The electric strike installation class reviews codes and standards, types of openings, types of strikes, installation techniques, and troubleshooting the lock. The class includes hands-on installation where a student learns to properly cut a door strike.
Magnetic Lock System Installation
The magnetic lock system installation class reviews electrical and life safety codes, types of magnetic locks (maglocks), types and uses of mounting brackets, and common errors. The class includes hands-on installation where the student learns how to properly mount a maglock.
New Topics
2023 is shaping up to be a year of innovation. A few key topics that have been introduced but will continue to grow over the next year are:
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Look for AI to continue its growth as AI gets more intelligent. It’s all about learning, and each year makes AI more stable. The one defining topic here will be the European Parliament’s Artificial Intelligence Act currently moving through committees.
Mobile Credentials
Look for Apple Wallet integrations to continue and be prepared for some new players to show some great technologies in 2023 in this arena.
Robots and Drones
Robots and Drones have been the novelty in the security industry over the last few years. Look for these novelties to become more innovative; solving problems and augmenting the security guard service.
Weapon Detection
Weapon Detection will continue to be a topic of interest as schools and businesses deal with copycat terrorists and while politicians debate gun laws.
Cloud
Cloud adoption is growing. While many IT integrators have used the cloud for years, the security industry is just now finding adoption. The cloud is part of almost every end-user conversation and utilization of the cloud is only going to get more prolific.
Big Events
The stage for the technology industry will be set at the Consumer Technology Association’s CES trade show, hosted in Las Vegas, Nevada, January 5-8th. The CES is the leading technology show for all commercial technologies and will focus on topics such as AI, Smart Home, Virtual Reality (VR), Robots and Drones, and much more. The outcome of CES tends to drive the innovation for the next 12 months.
Trade Shows and Conferences
Trade shows are where security professionals can get a heartbeat of the industry a mile wide and an inch deep. Great conversations can be had as well as fantastic networking events. The trade shows also tend to create important press releases about new technologies, showcase winners, or mergers and acquisitions that have just occurred. The largest trade shows and conferences in the security industry are below:
- ISC West – owned by Security Industry Association (SIA) in Las Vegas, NV on March 28-31, 2023
- Electronic Security Expo (ESX) – owned by the Electronic Security Association (ESA) in Louisville, KY on June 5-8, 2023
- Global Security Exchange (GSX) owned by ASIS International in Dallas, TX on September 11-13, 2023
There are many local shows, such as ADI roadshows; and regional shows, such as ISC East which should be considered as well.
What to Expect in 2023
As stated before, there is no crystal ball to tell the future, but the security industry is changing. Look for the following topics to be key topics of interest over the next 12 months.
Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI)
Manufacturers of technology and many integrators have already begun the work to create DEI initiatives, meeting the requirements of many end-users who have mandated DEI initiatives for any vendor on their property.
Supply Chain
The supply chain is still slow. It is gaining speed, and over the next 12 months we hopefully will see a diminished backlog of technologies.
Inflation
Supply chain issues and the inflation felt in the United States has caused many to raise their prices. Expect the inflation to drop some degree, but prices will most likely stay higher than previous prices. Prices are difficult to raise, but even more difficult to lower.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Mergers and acquisitions will continue, both on the manufacturing side as well as the integrator side. According to Security Business Magazine’s 2022 State of the Industry Report, 52% of all security integrators were approached about acquisition in 2022.
Weapon Detection Technologies
Weapon detection technologies have to get better with accuracy. The technologies currently on the market are not enough for most end-users, due to functionality, cost, effectiveness, or other end-user specific reasons. Look for weapon detection technologies to be an incubator of innovation.
Service Models
Managed Service Providers (MSP) and the delivery of service models such as SaaS or VSaaS will only continue to grow. As companies move to complete digital transformation mandates they will rely heavily on the MSP over a traditional service contract, where MSPs will manage all aspects of equipment and service lifecycle.
In Closing
This year looks to be one of growth in the security industry. It will take training, new products, and a proactive adoption of new concepts to be competitive as a security provider in the security industry in 2023.