Earlier this month, Security magazine released its annual report, Security 500. The 2018 Security 500 rankings surveyed 500 enterprises which have been ranked through metrics to determine the forerunners in 20 sectors. The sectors include everything from agriculture/farming/food production, Utilities, to Sports, E-Commerce, and Education. You can create a free account with Security magazine to see the full list.
The data collected from all 500 enterprises was applied to the following key metrics:
- Security Spending/Person
- Security Spending/Revenue
- Number of Security Employees and Officers
The focus of “person” is on the type of person (employees, citizens, patients, students) the security budget is intended to protect. This survey creates a reliable benchmark for security organizations and the industry as a whole. It lets us know where the industry has been and where it’s going. A recent webinar broke down the report and also listed the top 10 security trends in 2018. Below is a highlight and summarization of a few of the top 10 trends and general security trends.
2018-19 General Security Trends
The report found that security budgets increased by 62%. As a result, security trainings, armed security guards, and investing in more security certifications also increased. Other areas that saw an increase in 2018 were:
- Active monitoring of social media accounts
- Encrypted technologies
- Drones
Surveyors reported that they will be placing a focus on mass communication systems and additional security training come 2019.
2018 Top Security Trends
The number 1 security trend of 2018 is mitigating workplace violence and active shooter threats. It is estimated that 2 million workers are affected by workplace violence and that 700 people are murdered on the job every year. To mitigate threats like these, companies need to create a safety culture that reduces stigma around workplace violence.
On a positive note, a trend that can help reduce workplace violence is that security budgets are gaining more support from leadership. Security’s role in mitigating threats can be proven through metrics which can be translated by security professionals into objectives so leadership and decisionmakers can better understand how vital increasing security is for the business as a whole.
Cybersecurity is still a very real threat and will likely increase along with technology. It is projected that cyber attacks on cryptocurrency will be the new digital threat to come. Other top trends of 2018 include insider threat, theft, losses, and investigations, hiring and continuous training and technology upgrades that support security efforts.
Physical security still reigns. Cybersecurity is an increasing threat, but when it comes down to it, protecting your physical self and property continues to be the top priority. We look forward to seeing our industry grow and working alongside others to lead the way to better physical safety through smarter technology.
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