Anna Aisa Biarnés (ACAES): Private security is closely linked to technology

How important is training and professional retraining in the security sector?
 

Training is key for the security sector. We mustn’t forget that private security is essentially preventative and that the threats, risks and vulnerabilities are ever-changing. Private security professionals must adapt to these changes. They should be ready to respond quickly, efficiently and effectively to risky situations that may occur and this can only be achieved through training. But it is not only the changing reality, but also the constant evolution of technology, that requires training.

How is this technological evolution influencing private security?

Private security is closely related to the use of technology and in this field evolution doesn’t stop. New products, systems and devices appear on the market every year, with new features, properties and functions that sector professionals, those responsible for their manufacture and distribution and those who will have to incorporate them into security installations should be familiar with. So, in conclusion, training is an essential element for the private security sector.

And when I say training, I don’t only mean the retraining of security professionals, but also training in security. The only public degree in security in Catalonia is taught at the Universidad de Barcelona, specifically at the Institut de Seguretat Publica de Catalunya (ISPC). This is a four-year degree, in which security is the basis for the entire curriculum and it provides us with graduates with a holistic perspective of security and who can, and do, contribute high-level technical knowledge to our sector.

What other actions should be carried out to ensure sector professionals are well-prepared?

Mainly, the creation of appropriate training programmes. Often these programmes are not part of formal training, but they meet the needs of private security professionals and really respond to existing training needs. It’s important not only to invest in standard training courses but to also opt for made-to-measure training, which can be adapted to meet the specific needs of a service, location or product.

Perhaps this is one of the elements that helps companies to commit to training their employees, precisely because they can see that we are talking about theoretical-practical training that is adapted to the specific training needs of each group and area.

As such, the partnership ties between the university, such as the ISPC, and private security companies, should be strengthened, not only to adapt training to the real needs of the sector, but also so these companies turn to graduates when it comes to attracting new talent.

Which areas should be the main focus?

It is difficult to name specific areas because, as we have mentioned before, the needs are changing, as are the threats and technological advances. Therefore, training needs to adapt to these changes. It is not feasible to draw up permanent training programmes, but they must be open to constant adaptation, incorporating new developments as they appear and as they apply.

Furthermore, in terms of security officers, our initial training is obsolete, as it does not cover many aspects that are currently necessary to provide a quality security service. This is being compensated for by refresher training, but this should not be an obstacle to updating the training programmes for security officers.

In terms of systems technicians, we don’t have any core training for them, as the companies themselves have to provide this. In this sense, at ACAES, for the first time we have held two technical security courses, completely subsidised, which were a success in terms of participation and through these we have managed to train future security technicians and even middle managers of installation companies who also need this technical knowledge to better understand what a security system is and what it implies.

Finally, with regards to Alarm Monitoring Centre operators, we are in the same situation as above, with each company training its only operators. For this reason, at ACAES we have created an Alarm Monitoring Centre operator course, not only including our own material on receiving and verifying alarms, but also basic concepts of a security system and information on customer service.

In terms of university training, this must also be subject to constant adjustment and I am aware that this is one of the commitments of the Degree in Security, where the teaching staff speaks for itself.

Is there anything else on this topic you consider to be relevant at the moment?

Taking into account the importance of training in our sector, it would be beneficial if associations could participate more actively in subsidised training, in its programming, design and execution, as this would be a way for this training to adapt the sector's needs and reach all private security companies and all private security workers.

And I can't finish without making a brief mention of the intermediate-level studies for security technicians. Royal Decree 570 is still pending development in the part that corresponds to the autonomous communities, but professional training is undoubtedly a way to enhance the sector, to improve the training of its professionals and, in short, a commitment to the quality of private security services.