As much as we each seem to live in our own bubble, the reality is that everything is connected and we are all part of a greater whole. So it is with the security market, which can be both inward-focused and also play a role in the bigger societal picture. A couple of recent questions we posed to the Expert Panel Roundtable highlight how the security market can and should interact with society in general.
[On how the security industry can ‘do well.’] When it comes to charitable work and donations, doing well can be hard to define, but I think everyone will admit that it never feels like enough. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to up our game. As one example, last year, Interface started a “Tech for Good” scholarship to provide financial support to college students pursuing four-year STEM studies who have a passion for using technology to solve real-world problems. Applicants with a strong academic record were required to submit an engaging 500-word essay or a video that describes how they would plan to use technology to showcase how the sciences can be applied to change and improve social, environmental, or business outcomes. Coupled with our other supportive work, we’re helping to build stronger communities at a time when it’s never felt more important to do so.
I think the security industry is very altruistic. On a personal level, I’ve taken part and raised money in the USA for the Mission 500 initiative and fun run, I belong to the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals – a City of London Livery that has a well-endowed foundation that supports deserving causes allied to the security industry and beyond. TDSi also raises funds for charities local to our Poole headquarters in Dorset, and we often hear of or see announcements on LinkedIn from other professionals in our industry performing challenges to raise funds and to give back to the community.
[On security’s environmental impact.] As with any industry that produces tangible products, we must accept that the physical security industry leaves a footprint on the environment. Between the carbon emissions associated with transport and manufacturing to raw material and packaging waste, it’s clear that industry-wide action is required if we are to meet net zero by 2050 targets. Crucially, the commitment to sustainability is more prevalent than ever across the supply chain, with decision-makers calling for product transparency and manufacturers like us working towards the use of fully recycled materials and products that reduce energy usage, and as such help the long-term effect on the environment. Moving forward, where physical security and architectural ironmongery are concerned, the continued development of technology and engineering efficiency will further improve the quality output of physical security components, and as the need for replacement products decreases, so too will the material and packaging waste associated with this sector.
We are all becoming increasingly conscious of physical security’s impact on the environment. Historically, the standard for video security required a new camera with each development in technology. This “rip-and-replace” method resulted in large amounts of plastic waste and fossil fuel emissions to create new video security cameras. Today, connecting existing cameras to cloud-based video management systems (VMS) is possible, meaning customers can benefit from intelligent analytics without splurging on a new camera system. The environmental advantage is that cameras are not wasted and thrown away just so security administrators can use these security solutions. Cameras are not bought and disposed of unnecessarily and can therefore be used for longer than was possible before. Another environmental issue in the physical security industry is that of packaging. Needless plastic and the inability to recycle these materials means the industry is a large polluter. However, some physical security companies have transitioned towards a more sustainable future and implemented organic packaging. While the physical security industry has previously had a negative environmental impact, many businesses are rectifying these issues to become more environmentally friendly - including producing cameras made from recycled materials and utilizing less water in the production process.