Corps’ five predictions for the security sector in 2022

New years are always a time for reflection – a look back at the year past and considering what the year ahead will bring. While the Omicron variant is making for an uncertain start to 2022, we believe that five key trends will shape the security industry in the coming 12 months.

1. Decent pay: with the UK experiencing a serious labour shortage, we believe that there will be enormous pressure on organisations to pay at least the Real Living Wage (£9.90 and £11.05 in London) to attract people. Many businesses which want to attract high quality people are already paying significantly over that amount.

2. Strengthened focus on ethical procurement: following the Social Value Act 2012, more businesses are following the public sector’s lead and buying social – from organisations which have a social or environmental mission. Social enterprises – like Corps Security – and community interest companies will become an important part of the supply chain.

3. Increased integration of manned guarding and security technology: because of the labour shortage, the upward pressure on wages and advances in technology, many organisations will consider paying security officers more but reducing the number required. We’ll see security monitoring playing a greater role with advanced CCTV complementing officers on the ground. At the same time new technology, such as Corps’ VR security training through our partner MoonHub, will become more widespread.

4. More flexibility to react to Covid: Omicron proves that the pandemic hasn’t gone away. Over the past two years, security officers have had to continually adapt and that’s going to continue. Whether it’s keeping empty buildings safe, supporting a skeleton staff or becoming more mobile, the security sector will be kept on its toes to support our clients as they continue to adapt their businesses.

5. More focus on equality, diversity and inclusion: security is a diverse sector with people from many different backgrounds but to date there has been little in the way of focus on equality and inclusion. The labour shortage, and the associated need to engage talented employees, will see an increase in inclusion strategies, such as our Corps Together campaign to improve a sense of belonging.