You don’t need us to tell you that technology is taking over every aspect of our lives. From hospitals to cars, and from home life to work, you are never far away from something digital. And that is not a trend that is likely to change soon – every day, new technology is being invented that will push us further along as a species.
The security sector is no stranger to this advancement. In fact, security firms are often on the forefront of the movement. Security is one worry the whole world shares, so constantly improving our security technology is a worldwide goal. Be it for the military, or for public sector devices, every year it seems we are getting better at watching, protecting against, and ultimately stopping crime.
So anybody looking to get involved with our courses should know what technologies they are likely to get to grips with. Here are a few things you are likely to run into in any line of security work in 2015 and beyond.
Observation
If you look around right now, you are likely to see a camera of some type. If not, you aren’t likely to be very far away from one. CCTV isn’t a new invention, but it has seen rapidly integrated improvements in recent years. In yesteryear, you would simply have one (usually black and white) camera connected to a monitor. Now, however, you can do FAR more.
Movement capabilities mean you have the potential for a 360 degree view of any area. Zooming in and out is quick and simple to do. There are cameras that allow you to see infra-red, and cameras with night vision capabilities. They come equipped with speakers, so the user can communicate with whoever they are watching. And all of these functions are available to the user from anywhere in the world!
Communication
Just as the internet is opening up new avenues for observation, it is also improving how security personnel communicate with each other. Gone are the days of crackly, unreliable walkie-talkies, replaced instead by Bluetooth headsets. These are much more discreet, and leave your hands free – always a plus in the security game.
This doesn’t take into account the sheer communication power smartphones offer. Not only can you now phone or message anybody in the world, but you can send them images, videos, and location information. Compared to how it used to be, it is now much easier for security teams to remain in-sync with each other.
Security Checks
Eventually, there will inevitably come a time when security stops being passive, observing from a far, and gets called into action. The first line of defence is a good security check system. Thankfully, you need no longer rely on checking security passes by looking at them alone. Advanced ID scanners can spot a fake in seconds, removing any doubt you may have. And the more secure the building, the more advanced the protocols. Retina scans, finger print readers, and voice recognition software used to be the stuff of science fiction, but they are now common sights at important buildings around the world.
Combat
Unfortunately, sometimes the best security in the world isn’t enough, and the security has to become “active”. Again, we’ve come a long way from nightsticks and pepper spray. Tasers now offer a non-lethal, effective option for combating violence and crime, but they aren’t the only option. When it comes to mass control, some buildings have installed Stingmore Mines, which launch hundreds of rubber balls at any aggressors. Anybody who watched Jackass 2 will know that these are not to be taken lightly!