By Gene Page
Despite the innovation in technology including the insertion of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the human element is still needed and required. In the area of security, we have been flooded with the latest and greatest products and programs. Most of these offerings are exclusively digital and provide no tangible physical protective measures.
Does this new technology give us the solutions we have long been waiting for?
No, the world of safety and security has rapidly changed. Criminals are becoming better at adapting and overcoming digital security measures. Cybercriminals successfully circumvent security roadblocks faster than IT professionals and the safety industry can respond.
Criminals have also become more physically brazen and are not concerned about being identified during the commission of a crime. Camera systems were designed to mitigate or prevent some criminal acts or behavior. The fear of the consequences of being identified has eroded over the past few years. Criminals now record or livestream themselves on social media while committing physical and violent crimes, including acts of murder. Industry security standards have long been centered on pairing camera systems and alarms for a business or a home, because we, as good citizens and neighbors, see it as a deterrent. Unfortunately, criminals have been emboldened by an ineffective judicial system which requires us to stay out in front with solutions. It’s a challenging and strange time in our country.
An additional problem with the standard physical security measures and protocols such as camera systems, alarms, etc., is that it is only as good as the response (Police/Fire/EMS). If First Responders are delayed or don’t respond at all, our system isn’t worth very much. The great reduction in services that were once provided by First Responders has dwindled in most cities, counties, and townships. This has been attributed to reduced law enforcement staffing, increased call volume, and budget constraints.
What does it all mean?
Even though we have rapidly advanced in the world of digital security, humans are needed now more than ever. How many times have you been forced to stop your workday at the office due to an internet outage, power outage, or trying to fix a simple IT issue? Think about the financial impact of being prevented from working just one or two hours, or even all day! Being totally dependent on the existence of technology has its consequences. If we take that same example and convert it to a security failure, we must now factor in the risk of personal injury or even death in some instances.
Do humans still matter?
The answer is always yes! There are many facets of security that require a human presence. These needs will continue to exist until robotics and AI are successfully and completely integrated. Remember the Terminator movie franchise? Hopefully, this will not happen in our lifetime… or ever! In the meantime, let’s explore some of the key areas in security where “you” are still required.
Facility Security Assessments- If your company hasn’t reviewed or updated its security posture in over a year, you are a great candidate for a new assessment. To perform a new assessment, you need an actual human. They will physically travel to your office, identify vulnerabilities at a given location, and recommend necessary safety and security measures to keep you and your colleagues safe. They can also recommend, schedule, and provide onsite security and safety courses. Various security training programs, such as active shooter, undergo continual changes and your team should be provided with the very best and latest versions. Company policies are consistently being updated why not require the same for your security program?
Threat Assessments- How many times have we called customer service only to be talking to a computer? As a society, we are notably losing the ability to interact on a personal level. We see examples of this in a restaurant where people are sitting together at a table, but everyone is focused on their devices, and no one is talking. Threat assessments require experts in human behavior. Yes, humans are still the best to perform personal threat assessments, conduct interviews, and make proactive decisions based upon cognitively gained facts. The investigator can also identify early indicators of violent behavior. The information gleaned can be used to support additional measures or changes in your company’s security program.
Security Officer and Executive Protection- We still need human security officers to be physically present. Onsite security officers make critical decisions such as coordinating a physical response to an alarm or patrolling an estate or facility. Providing close protection for a VIP requires specially trained men and women to continually assess the situation and environment and respond appropriately. At the end of the day, all these positions we have discussed still require a human being!
Fear not, the entertainment industry will continue to send us blockbuster movies featuring cyborgs and SkyNet-type self-aware computer systems. As you can happily tell by my sub-par sentence structure and potential misuse of participles, this article was clearly not written by AI, it’s very human! So, grab some popcorn, laugh at the mention of humans being phased out, because when we combine our security system with human ingenuity and presence, we will have a complete safety and security program.
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SafeHaven Security Group
www.safehavensecuritygroup.com
SafeHaven Security Group has consultants with extensive experience in examining threats in the workplace, assessing vulnerability, and evaluating security plans. We can partner with your business to provide expertise that you can’t get from a computer and ensure your employees thrive in a safe workplace.