Is There A ‘New Generation’ Of Employees And Managers In Security?
Editor Introduction
What is a business, or an industry, but a collection of people and the results of their work? People make all the difference in the destiny of a business or industry. And the people involved in a business reflect the impact of demographic changes – and the passage of time. The security industry has been largely built by Baby Boomers, who are getting older and increasingly stepping aside to make way for younger folks. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Is there a “new generation” of employees and managers entering the physical security marketplace, and what will be the impact?
There is no doubt a “new generation” of employees and managers entering the physical security marketplace and, in our experience, they can essentially be categorized as “millennials.” From a technology company like Gallagher’s point of view, we are encountering the differences this new generation’s presence brings to the industry. They are more connected in the cyber world, they are more willing to take risks and face the consequences later, and they are more purpose-driven and socially-conscious. While this provides some challenges within the security marketplace, there are also great benefits. Being more connected, millennials are highly interested in what others are doing and that sees many organizations raising their game in terms of industry best practices. Being more willing to take risks must be tempered with advanced consideration of possible outcomes and consequences. A desire to make a difference means that as manufacturers we must clearly communicate our sustainable processes.
There is certainly a new generation of employees and managers coming into the marketplace, and their impact is one that is both transformative and valuable. This generation has grown up through the digital revolution, leveraging innovative technology in their everyday lives, and therefore has different expectations than we’re used to seeing in the security industry. These new employees and managers are demanding proactivity and urgency, convenience in performing tasks and the use of their mobile devices in every fashion possible. And it is now up to us as leaders in the security industry to bring these expectations to life. Mobile credentialing technology, for example, stands to revolutionize the way access control is implemented and performed in various industries. Though there are many factors and challenges to consider, we can undoubtedly learn from this new generation and truly evolve the industry with their influence.
Absolutely! It’s hard to believe, but within the next couple of years we’ll have young professionals entering the workforce who were born in the 2000s. These are people who have grown up “connected” – having been surrounded by the internet from birth. Understanding this new generation will be paramount for companies and industries alike – especially ours. These young professionals are exceptionally resourceful. Having grown up with a wealth of knowledge at their fingertips, they are experts at finding answers to questions. Don’t be afraid to give them tougher tasks or challenges that traditionally may not have been given to younger employees. As for the impact on the wider industry, this new generation will continue and accelerate technological advancement. Young people are interested in the Internet of Things, facial recognition, drones and other gadgets and cool features. I’m excited to see what the new generation has in store for all of us.
There is no denying that a new generation is moving into the security market, filling both junior and senior roles. As more young people enter our workforce, we are seeing the landscape of the industry change in a very positive way. This new generation, like any, is bringing with them innovative thoughts and ways to tackle problems that plague our industry. The move towards digital has been one of the largest changes we have seen, with everyone from publications to manufacturers to integrators working to bolster their online presence. There is also a greater focus on creating leadership opportunities for younger professionals. We see this with the Security Industry Association’s RISE Committee – a community designed for security professionals who are under 40 – who will host its new AcceleRISE conference later this year. Finally, we’re seeing more security companies invest in and hire more Millennials.
This new generation of security professionals is changing how we communicate and disseminate information. There’s been a distinct shift away from print publication and a strategic move toward digital asset creation. Short, interactive videos are replacing long-form white papers and case studies. Online product training is favored over more costly onsite seminars. Lead acquisition is taking place through email, web and social campaigns versus cold calling. This has resulted in increased direct interaction with customers. From an industry perspective, the physical security marketplace demographic is changing. Millennials are bringing a more prominent voice and influence as Baby Boomers retire. More women are in the industry than ever, and more women are holding executive and senior management positions. All of this results in greater diversity, not only in the workforce, but also in the formation of new ideas. For security, these changes will accelerate the industry’s growth, and strengthen its resilience.
Editor Summary
The Millennials and later generations are poised to change the physical security industry drastically – and for the better. New blood brings new energy. New ideas expand opportunities and shake loose conventional or outdated business practices. There is a new generation of security professionals coming along just in time to lead a successful and exciting future for our marketplace.
- View all news from
- Gallagher Security
- Security Industry Association
- Louroe Electronics
- Northland Controls
- ACRE, LLC
Expert commentary
Security beat
Security bytes
- Getting To Know Dan Grimm, VP And General Manager Of Computer Vision At RealNetworks
- Big Wins And The Importance Of Showing Up: Insights From SecurityInformed.com Editor Larry Anderson
- Setting Goals, Business Travels And Radioactivity: Success Secrets From Tiandy's John Van Den Elzen
- Getting To Know Jeff Burgess, President/CEO At BCDVideo
Mobile access articles
Zenitel, a provider of intelligent communication solutions, announced the launch of two new door entry intercoms: the Turbine Extended Intercoms TEIV1+ and the TEIV4+. The new products display Zenite...
Physical security is essential for a modern production facility, users don’t want just anyone entering the building or accessing secure areas. But what about production machinery? Machine authe...
Global security manufacturer, Gallagher Security, has announced that support for employee badges in Apple Wallet is available for Gallagher customers in the U.S. with the release of Gallagher Command...
Barracuda Networks, Inc., a trusted partner and major provider of cloud-first security solutions, announced that Neal Bradbury has been elevated to the role of Chief Product Officer. In this new role...
Genetec Inc., a renowned technology provider of unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions, announced that its new enterprise-grade SaaS solution, Security Center...
Gallagher Security announced the latest release of their award-winning security site management software, Command Center v9.10, marking a significant evolution for the security platform trusted to pro...
Gunnebo Entrance Control has announced its acquisition of DG Concept and Diadem, a French entrance control, design, installation, and service specialist, marking a significant step in reinforcing its...
Global technology solutions provider - Arrow Electronics, Inc. (ARW) announced that Broadcom selected it as the sole provider for its CloudHealth from VMware offering. CloudHealth is designed to help...
In an industry-first, Safetrust provisions employee and visitor badges directly into Apple Wallet via an email link or text message, eliminating the need to download an application. This innovative a...
HID, a worldwide pioneer in trusted identity solutions, announces the availability of its new HID Seos Essential Bundle, providing small to mid-size businesses (SMBs) in Europe with the benefits of ad...
Compatibility with a range of credential technologies can be a critical factor when selecting access control. As organizations across the world explore a move to mobile keys for access, it is more imp...
DigiCert, a major global provider of digital trust, reconfirmed its commitment to standards and compliance with the successful completion of 31 audits within a 12-month period. These audits include a...
Interface Systems, a major managed service provider of business security, actionable insights, and purpose-built networks for multi-location businesses, announced that it is releasing an enhanced cust...
Federation of Gujarat Industries (FG)), Vadodara has conferred the Outstanding MSME Excellence Award at the 18th FGI Awards presentation ceremony. The objective behind the institution of these awards...
Geekplus, the global pioneer in mobile robot and smart logistics solutions, has deployed the first Shelf-to-Person PopPick project in the Nordics for one of the biggest online pharmacy wholesaler...
Multi-Residential Access Management And Security
DownloadGuide For HAAS: New Choice Of SMB Security System
DownloadPrecision And Intelligence: LiDAR's Role In Modern Security Ecosystems
DownloadHikvision: Solar Powered Product Introduction + HCP
DownloadGunshot Detection
DownloadVerkada TD52 Cloud-Based Video Intercom
exacqVision IP08-64T-R1XW-E X-Series 1U Rdnt IP NVR 64TB RAID5 Windows OS with 8 IP Ent Lic
Climax Technology TouchPanel-3 7” Color Graphic Touchscreen Panel