Prepare security guards for the AI era

THE EDITOR, Madam:

For decades, security officers have been assigned to observe, patrol, control access, and respond when something went wrong. Today, presence alone is no longer enough.

Artificial intelligence, biometric access control, video analytics, drones, automated alarms and remote monitoring are changing how security is delivered.

Technology may not make security officers irrelevant, but it will change what relevance looks like. The modern officer must move beyond occupying a post and become a professional who combines technology, judgement, communication and accountability.

An intelligent surveillance system may detect unusual movement, identify tailgating or prioritise an alarm. Yet, it cannot always understand context. A person running through a restricted area may be escaping danger, responding to an emergency or attempting an offence. Technology can generate the alert, but a trained professional must determine what it means and decide on the appropriate response.

Security professionals must be able to use access-control systems, handheld scanners, surveillance platforms, body-worn cameras and incident-management software. They must understand how these systems operate, where they may fail, and when human intervention is necessary.

They must also become stronger analysts. The officer of the future will be expected to recognise patterns, verify information, and distinguish genuine threats from false alarms.

Communication is equally important. An incomplete logbook entry, vague incident report or poorly communicated warning can weaken even the most advanced security operation. Security professionals must document events accurately, speak with authority, and explain risks clearly.

Physical and digital security are becoming inseparable. Allowing an unauthorised person into a restricted area may expose property, sensitive records, computer networks and critical systems. Cybersecurity awareness must therefore become part of security training.

Yet, the most valuable capabilities may remain distinctly human. Artificial intelligence cannot fully replace empathy, discretion, ethical judgement, conflict resolution or the ability to calm a tense situation.

Are we preparing security officers for the future, or placing modern technology in the hands of a workforce trained for the past?

The greatest danger is not that AI will replace every security officer. It is that officers unprepared to use technology may be replaced by professionals ready to work alongside it.

RENEE WATKIS