Security Journal Americas hears exclusively from Jeff DiDomenico, VP of Strategic Development at Trackforce.
Security teams are stretched thin and worn down. Guards are fielding more threats than ever before: workplace violence, civil unrest, climate-driven disruptions, targeted attacks on executives, drone activity and even the increasing convergence of cyber-physical incidents are creating the perfect storm for security burnout.
For example, the growing sophistication of targeted attacks, including those leveraging digital intelligence, places executives and their families at heightened risk.
While an increase in cyber-crime tends to take up most of the spotlight, there is still a real physical security alert that can’t be ignored.
Reports show that 10% of malicious breaches stemmed from physical compromises, resulting in an average cost of $4.36 million per incident.
The need for a comprehensive security approach that bridges the gap between physical and cyber domains is paramount.
The convergence of physical and cyber vulnerabilities means that a single point of failure, whether a compromised credential or a physical breach, can have cascading effects.
Investing in robust physical security for on-premise data servers is a proactive measure that mitigates the financial risks associated with data breaches.
Then, there’s the escalation of insider threats. This is where integrated security strategies that address the digital and physical realms to mitigate potential losses and ensure operational resilience come in.
As the interconnected future of physical and digital security becomes more pronounced, security professionals must be ready for the shift.
All this lands directly on the shoulders of security personnel. And those personnel are harder to keep. As a result of security guards dealing with extreme levels of occupational stress, more than 50% of the guard industry now experiences turnover rates above the national average, with some teams seeing attrition of over 100% annually.
Security operations don’t slow down just because staffing does. That means supervisors are constantly training new guards while trying to maintain continuity, performance and compliance in an environment that’s getting riskier by the day.
Turnover is only part of the problem. Too many guard teams still rely on outdated tools that don’t hold up under pressure. As a result, they deal with three major operational breakdowns daily: limited data control, scattered policy management and growing risk exposure.
Data from incidents often sits in disconnected systems, slowing down reviews and decision-making; post orders are still shared via printed materials or word-of-mouth, which introduces errors and incident reporting is often done after the fact, manually entered into spreadsheets or emailed in bits and pieces, if it’s collected at all.
These inefficiencies aren’t just time-wasters. They create blind spots in active operations. And every site does things differently, so enforcement is inconsistent.
Command centers can’t see what’s happening on the ground without real-time oversight. Without centralized data, supervisors can’t evaluate guard performance.
Without audit-ready records, legal and compliance teams are left scrambling when issues arise.
To address persistent labor shortages and protocol inconsistencies, enterprise security leaders are shifting to a more centralized, tech-enabled approach: pairing on-the-ground guards with remote surveillance and automation tools.
This model not only improves efficiency and reduces the need for large on-site teams but also helps address retention challenges by streamlining daily tasks, reducing manual work and making roles more dynamic and engaging.
With a digital control center in place, security teams can monitor incidents in real time, dispatch support instantly and ensure compliance, driving smarter, more efficient security operations.
One of the biggest modernizations is automated incident reporting. Instead of jotting notes at the end of a shift, guards log details as events unfold, adding photos, timestamps, GPS data and comments via mobile devices.
Supervisors and regional leads get immediate access to the report, which is stored securely and can be analyzed over time for trend detection.
This level of detail creates stronger accountability. Missed check-ins, skipped tasks, or delayed responses become visible in the system, which helps managers and guards improve performance.
It also provides clarity during incident reviews, helping determine what action was taken, when and by whom.
Communication remains a critical area for modernization. Traditional two-way radios and phone trees leave too much room for error, especially when teams are spread across large campuses, multi-building complexes or multiple regions.
Messages don’t always reach the right people, important updates get missed and field teams may be unaware of changes in protocol or priority.
Mobile-first communication tools change this equation. Supervisors can push real-time updates to specific guards or entire teams.
Messages can include attachments, photos, or policy links. Guards can confirm receipt, check in remotely and receive updated tasks without returning to a command center or relaying information through multiple people.
Some teams also use geolocation features to ensure that guards are physically present at a specific site or checkpoint before marking tasks as complete.
This helps eliminate falsified reports and improves visibility into who’s where during high-risk events.
As security infrastructure integrates advanced technologies, the role of security guards is evolving, becoming integral components in a comprehensive threat detection and response framework.​
Modern security operations are bridging the gap between physical events and digital risks. Guards receive training to interact effectively with AI tools, enabling them to address urgent threats as they arise and make informed decisions based on data-driven insights.
Key technologies driving this transformation include:
This integrated approach strengthens overall physical and digital operations by providing teams with a unified view of potential risks and joint accountability in responding to incidents.
Not all security teams have the resources to expand staffing or completely overhaul entire legacy systems. However, implementing the right structures and digital systems enables even smaller teams to enhance operational speed, clarity and control.
Centralized digital platforms grant security leaders real-time oversight without needing constant physical presence.
Guards can minimize administrative tasks, allowing them more time to actively monitor situations and swiftly respond to incidents.
Additionally, compliance becomes embedded within everyday workflows rather than relying on memory or cumbersome paperwork.
These enhancements go beyond mere efficiency; they proactively reduce liabilities, enhance personnel safety and ensure teams remain agile and prepared as security threats evolve.