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New Zealand’s Security Industry - securing the future
The 2022 New Zealand Security Awards saw the official launch of New Zealand’s Security Industry - securing the future, a 24-page document designed to create better awareness of the security industry.
According to NZSA CEO Gary Morrison, the document was prepared as part of the NZSA’s 50th Anniversary “and brings together a high level overview of the industry, the role that security provides within our society and the opportunities for us to further contribute towards securing New Zealand’s future.”
“The intent is that we can use it to further discussions with key stakeholders, particularly within government, and to create a better awareness and understanding of the role that security has to play and what we can collectively do to achieve better outcomes,” he stated.
Drawing inspiration from the ASIAL Security 2025: A Roadmap for the Future report, the NZSA document provides clear advice to security providers, regulators, and clients and consumers in relation to their role in securing New Zealand’s future. The remainder of this article is a curation of excerpts from the document.
State of the Industry The industry has experienced strong multi-decade growth off the back of rising demand for its services, with forecasts of strong growth in the future, and is now significantly larger than the size of New Zealand’s police and defence resources combined.
Page 1
September 2022
50TH ANNIVERSARY
1972 – 2022
The Voice of the Security Industry
Whilst the Private Security Industry has matured in its professionalism and operational standards in conjunction with this growth, further development is hampered by issues with industry regulation and self- regulation, the degree of public-private partnerships in security, and the extent to which private security is recognised and utilised as an enabler within the national security ecosystem. New Zealand lags behind similar international jurisdictions in many of these key areas.
Why the New Zealand security industry is important As part of New Zealand’s national security ecosystem, the security industry performs a vital role within the economy and within communities.
Contributing to the economy The Private Security Industry is a vital contributor to the New Zealand economy. It is an engine of growth, and an enabler for resilience in times of crisis and uncertainty.
Protecting communities The solutions and services delivered by the Private Security Industry make New Zealand communities safer, contributing to crime deterrence and response, and improving perceptions of safety.
Enabling businesses The Private Security Industry provides sophisticated business solutions to optimise organisations’ operations – from security to communications, building management to business analytics.
Securing the nation The Private Security Industry is a significant contributor to national security, protecting critical government and corporate infrastructure, protecting public places, and operating in the national interest.
Multiplying capability The Private Security Industry delivers increased capacity when it’s most needed, from responding to emergencies to securing the nation’s Covid-19 Managed Isolation and Quarantine facilities.
Global issues, challenges and opportunities shaping the industry’s future direction Cyber threats constitute a major risk exposure to individuals, critical infrastructure, and industry sectors. But these are counterbalanced by opportunities for the private security sector. The industry’s breadth and collective resources means that consulting, infrastructure and service provision, and research and development will continue to provide opportunities in the future.
The need for cybersecurity and ensuring data privacy has never been more critical. Although the industry is potentially well-placed in this regard, it needs to remain responsive to industry trends and directions.
Digitisation presents challenges for the Private Security Industry but also potential advantages arising from new construction technologies, smart building and community designs, and leveraging collaborative platforms and networks for improved public safety and commercial efficiencies. Digital transformation should be harnessed to deliver better electronic security offerings and to augment and improve security officer capabilities.
Covid-19 has seen an increase in demand for security personnel overall but with a decrease in some sectors. Post-Covid uncertainties highlight the need to up-skill and cross-skill security personnel in various roles within the industry in line with market demand.
Terrorism does not recognise national borders and does not differentiate between public and private sector organisations. The Private Security Industry plays a critical role in New Zealand’s national security, reflecting international experience where private security personnel are often the first to identify and respond to terrorist acts. This provides both opportunities and challenges in recruitment, training and deployment practices.
A sustainability approach to technology and operational practices will allow the Private Security Industry to make more informed procurement decisions and employ operational practices that optimise use of sustainable technologies. Adopting and championing sustainable practices will enable the industry to navigate physical and regulatory risks, meet market expectations, and more easily adapt to changing technology/ business practices and climate change-related uncertainties.
The size and public profile of the Private Security Industry means that there is an opportunity for the industry to have a significant impact in terms of social responsibility, especially in utilising green technology, smart devices and responsible staffing practices.
Industry innovation and thought leadership NZSA providing industry leadership in the form of strategic direction, innovation and representation, and governance by members of the Private Security Industry.
Training and professional development Standardised training and certifications, ranging from technical apprenticeships and tiered officer licensing to management and leadership development.
Governance and accountability Increased levels of compliance, due diligence, accountability and governance by members of the Private Security Industry.
Seen as a career Private security to be more widely recognised as a profession and career of choice with multiple career development pathways.
Standardised licensing and certifications Industry licensing categories to reflect roles performed and include a requirement for continuing professional development as part of the licence renewal process.
Improved public image as a profession Increased levels of trust and confidence in the Private Security Industry in government, among clients, and within society more broadly.
Improved client/market procurement More informed service end users, moving from being cost to need focused, prepared to move beyond price in assessing ‘value for money’.
Multidisciplinary and system integration The provision of holistic security offerings that deliver end-to- end solutions to end users across the security spectrum.
How New Zealand security providers can secure the future
• Being attuned to market disruptors • Promoting the Private Security
Industry as a career of choice • Standardising Private Security
Industry training and licensing • Embracing technological innovation • Providing market education and awareness • Linking remuneration with qualifications and certifications • Improving and increasing the profile of security professionals in corporate governance • Promoting achievement of professional certifications • Upskilling, cross-skilling and redefining the role of security personnel • Continuing to provide a united industry voice • Expanding the role for crisis management with government agencies