"..the global outlay on Homeland Security is predicted to reach $295 billion by 2018, estimates of the total global security market at present are around £243 billion"
(paraphrased, Info4security 2010).

research

The research aims of the Security Industry Observatory (SIO) are to broaden our knowledge base of the economic structure, management strategy and innovation in the business of private security. Surprisingly little is known about this emerging industry which is countercyclical and expanding faster than other industries during the current economic downturn.

Using research methodologies drawn from Management Geography and Management Science using qualitative and quantitative methods this research engages with current interests by policy makers in characterising strategy and innovation. Studies to date have largely concentrated on issue based approaches.

Current projects include: a mapping exercise which examines the history, size and structure together with governance and regulation and legislation in the sector; a second project is exploring innovation, strategy and change in the industry; and, a new project with a focus on work-life-balance issues in the industry.

As part of the governance project Allison Wylde has been invited to Co-Chair the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) Committee on the Standard for Physical Assets Protection and join the technical committee of the Organizational Resilience Maturity Model. Allison also joins as a committee member the British Standards Institute (BSI) new standard for Societal Security in the UK and as an invited member of the Cities, Security and Resilience Network (CSARN).

Initial studies have uncovered a lack of definition for security and safety, security is a public good; all of us from individuals to businesses to Governments place a high value on security. The UK security industry has been found to be a complex of firms’ with fast changing roles ranging from closed installers of circuit television CCTV through to manned guarding and surveillance to high end technology companies providing biometrics and hardware to the emerging sectors of software as a service and convergence finally the, recruitment, resilience and training organisations.

Outputs

Results: Initial studies have uncovered a lack of definition for security and safety together with a state of change in the sector. The industry is a complex of firms' in a state of flux with roles ranging from installers of closed-circuit television CCTV through to manned guarding and surveillance to high end technology companies providing biometrics and hardware to the emerging sectors of software as a service and convergence finally the, recruitment, resilience and training organisations.

Contribution: Understanding the management, strategy and economics of this industry can act as indicators to inform the industry itself, for example, identifying the architecture to drive innovation and competitiveness of the industry, spotting training gaps and knowledge spaces. Practical outputs will help guide policy makers and users of security services, particularly in light of the growth in the role of the security industry in regeneration and mega events, including, for example, the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Milano Expo 2015 and King's Cross 2020.

Funding

UK Department for Innovation Universities and Skills, Knowledge-Transfer Activities Programme (DIUS-HEIF4 2008-2011) £215,000 and London Development Agency £16,000.

Experts

UK and international experts are on hand assisting the project and available for consultation to assist other projects.

Contact

Allison Wylde
Director, Security Industry Observatory (SIO)
a.wylde@londonmet.ac.uk