What security looks like in a post-pandemic world is still evolving and changing as we adjust to a ‘new normal’. As our jobs and social lives moved entirely online for more than a year, de-transitioning from being fully online to embracing more human contact has brought with it new challenges for security providers. Security has rapidly had to modernise and understand where people are now spending most of their time.
Hybrid working
Prior to the pandemic, security was more focused within buildings and institutions, as the 9-5 workday meant more and more people were out working during the day. With staff returning to work but embracing a hybrid working model, this can wreak havoc on security schedules, with people dropping in and out of offices constantly, not at peak times. This creates difficulties for building security and transport providers, as predicting busy and quiet periods is harder. In order to ensure physical working environments are safe, there is a real challenge in monitoring staff whereabouts when the workforce is scattered around the world and coming in randomly throughout the week. Security has had to change to become more flexible with the technology used to conduct headcounts and learn about emerging working patterns.
Metal Detectors are no more
Industry professionals suggest the traditional metal detector will begin to be phased out, as it is now considered outdated. Metal detectors use technology established forty years ago and can easily be manipulated today. Finding ways to fake a metal detector test and carrying materials that deflect the metal detecting rays is not difficult online. More so, weapons made of metal are now not always the most dangerous object someone can carry. In its place, AI-based screening tools will begin to emerge, providing more in-depth screening in a more effective way. AI-based screening tools can quickly isolate interfering signals, disabling any signal blockers people may be carrying that a metal detector would not catch.
Home Security is the new office
One lasting side effect of the pandemic will be the amount of time we will now spend in our homes. With most aspects of life now being ‘back to normal’, people are undoubtedly more conscious of leaving the house, with most of the workforce still preferring to work from home. Studies also show a sharp increase in social anxiety, as people are more fearful of leaving their homes after the pandemic. People who worked 9 to 5 all week and then socialised on the weekends are perhaps now working from home 3 days a week and only socialising once over the weekend. This change in behaviour will inevitably cause a rising interest in the security of our homes - for example, in outdoor security cameras, as we begin to spend more time indoors and seek protection there.