Don't Fear The Future
Meeting The Many Uncertainties Of 2022 With Better Security
2021 was a tumultuous year, filled with numerous changes to the way people work, shop, and move through the world.
Many employers continued work-from-home or hybrid models they’d started back in 2020, which put a strain on both physical and cybersecurity measures. Constantly shifting COVID protocols also made it difficult for businesses to know when their spaces would be inundated with customers and employees, and when they would be mostly vacant.
In light of so much unsettlement and unrest, violent crime, homicide, in particular, rose to all-time high levels – especially in major cities. This tragic but unsurprising trend was capped by the news that 2021 had reported the highest number of firearm-related deaths in a single year in American history. While the threat from weapons (guns in particular) has always been high, it now felt more dangerous than ever.
In short, with a tumultuous 2021 behind us, 2022 now becomes a pivotal year when it comes to security. For companies and organizations trying to thrive, the trend of violent crime and unrest that was pervasive over the past two years must be confronted and mitigated with an intentional and proactive approach to keeping all aspects of their business secure. Data, physical spaces, employees, visitor management, and many other facets of daily work must each be given due consideration and equal protection.
That’s why at SAGE Integration, we’re continuing to work as hard as ever to research, engineer, and innovate creative solutions to all the threats and challenges 2022 will offer. We wanted to briefly share a few areas that we’re focusing on, and in doing so, will hopefully help you pinpoint where your focus should be concentrated as you kick off this new year.
SECURITY IN 3 LEVELS
Last year, we talked a bit about how our framework for creating highly effective security strategies, begins by helping our clients think of security in three levels:
Securing long lines of sight (parking lots, cameras, weapon detection, parking and traffic management, guarded perimeters, etc.)
Securing entryways (access controls, keys, metal detectors, body scanners, etc.)
Securing interiors (physical security, destination dispatch, shot detection, etc.)
Almost always, when we lay out a strategy in terms of the 3 levels, clients can immediately see which of the levels they are thriving at, and which ones they are maybe falling short in. It also gives us an opportunity to evaluate each level’s strengths and weaknesses as it relates to our individual clients.
While the strategies and technology we employ are highly personalized to our individual clients, measuring the already existing systems and strategies (as well as planning new measures) through a lens of the three levels allows us to create more comprehensive protection for our clients, their employees, visitors, and customers.
BETTER TECHNOLOGY
Technology is rapidly advancing and as a security integrator, it’s our responsibility to take full advantage of that and utilize these advancements to the benefit of our clients.
Now that doesn’t mean we ignore tried and true methodology for the sake of whatever is newest or shiniest. The truth is that all the AI in the world doesn’t replace the physical presence of a security guard, and the very best cyber-security protocols shouldn’t mean we take all the deadbolts out of a client’s doors.
What it DOES mean, however, is that when it comes to security, we look to technology to help make better and more effective the strategies that we build out for our clients.
So as an example: if one of our clients has a highly trafficked lobby, and they want to implement metal detectors at the door, we must look at what technology would best serve their needs, not just what gets visitors through the door quickest. Is metal all we’re scanning for? What about body temperature? What about non-firearms?
While the need dictates the strategy, technology often dictates the best solution. That’s why we stay current on all the newest technology so that the solutions we offer are the very best and most advanced, as well as the most highly personalized.
GETTING IN FRONT OF POST-COVID RUSH
It feels fruitless to try and predict when an “end” to the COVID-19 pandemic could happen, as all speculation on the longevity of it has proven wrong to a certain degree.
But the reality is that as the world becomes more inoculated and immune, more people will want to return to physical spaces. Whether hybrid models of work-from-home continue or not, most employees will likely gravitate back to office environments. Shoppers will want to try things on before they buy them. Sports fans will yearn to be back in the stands. Concert goers will want to see their favorite bands on stage. And slowly but surely, those physical spaces will become occupied and inundated once more.
The moment to prepare for such a time is not the month, week, or night before it happens. That’s why we’re beginning to prepare our clients now for how their security systems might be optimally calibrated for the return of full capacity.
While this period of diminished crowds and workforces gives us the chance to dial in new protocols and technologies, they must all be ready to respond successfully when offices, stadiums, venues, and shopping spaces are at full capacity.
Anything less leaves our clients vulnerable in the future we know is coming.
2022 IS NOT TO BE FEARED
We began this by talking about the existing landscape of security concerns in our current cultural reality. And we want to affirm that we believe the best posture toward these current concerns is more proactive planning and security.
But beyond that, we believe that with proper preparation and strategic implementation, our clients don’t need to be worried about the future. SAGE helps to prepare those we serve to meet the challenges of living and working in 2022 head-on, not with fear but with confidence.
Strategies, technology, and proper planning\implementation - we believe those are the anecdotes for fear in our evolving world. And at SAGE Integration, we’re committed to giving all of them to our clients, this year and for many years to come.
Let’s make 2022 not the year of fear, but the year of confident security.