Matthew Porcelli shares his thoughts on how security will be shaped throughout 2024.

It is an understatement to say that numerous facets of security have changed over the last few years.

COVID-19, for instance, has shaped the way that both North Americans and the international community consider contemporary office space.

Working from home either one, two or many days during the work week became commonplace in 2023 and will continue to increase in the years to come.

Fortunately, contract security organizations remain in the fold.

Moreover, there is much room for growth, innovation and convergence for companies that provide security services to a diverse range of clientele.

Whether one takes a vehicle or mass transit during work or leisure travel, construction, specifically in metropolitan areas, is becoming more prevalent.

However, these construction projects are swaying more toward residential properties rather than corporate properties.

With cyber workspaces skyrocketing, many investors and stakeholders find it financially feasible to invest in residential properties.

Pragmatically, why would owners invest hundreds of millions of dollars per square foot to run a fixed asset that is only 35 – 50% occupied?

Even though the workspace continues to transition from physical corporate buildings to cyber workspaces, private security teams will continue to play an imperative role in protection.

These transitions are not done quickly.

On the contrary, some can take many years.

Private security officers, for instance, act as a main source of deterrence against criminal activity.

Security officers and their organizations will continue to be needed to protect the transition, (i.e., the building), throughout the physical move of the clients’ fixed assets.

For instance, if an organization is downgrading its leased office space from ten floors to five or building new space in an existing structure, hundreds of millions of dollars of equipment and trade secrets will be exposed to contracted vendors such as architects and construction personnel.

Private security officers have and will continue to be sought and contracted to protect both fixed and individual assets.

The increase of residential properties will also offer business and employment opportunities for private security organizations and their officers as well.

Besides protecting the residents and their homes, physical security components such as gates, locks, CCTV cameras and fire/life safety equipment must be installed not only due to the inhabitants’ sense of personal safety and security but also in compliance with city, state and federal laws.

Close protection services, (executive protection), will see a spike in request for service. Times unfortunately remain uncertain and dangerous.

Even though cybersecurity alternatives fit for some businesses, it is safe to say that private security professionals will continue to have a place in the organizational security framework well into 2024 and beyond.

About Matthew

Matthew Porcelli, MSc, CPP, CPOI, F.ISRM, MSyl , is a Safety/Security Management Specialist with two decades of experience in the criminal justice and private security sector working with clients from international airlines to corporate global headquarters and alongside municipal, state and federal law enforcement partners.

He also volunteers as a Community Vice President for ASIS International, Fellow/Chair of the Institute of Strategic Risk Management’s (ISRM), New York Chapter and leader with the International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO) and The Security Institute.

This article was originally published in the Special February Influencers Edition of Security Journal Americas. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.