The aim of the research was to explore the forms of joint working that take place between the security sector and the police, and the barriers that can prevent this work from progressing. The research is based on the views of security professionals from in-house...
Does security culture trump strategy when it comes to facilitating excellence?
The aim of the research - 'The importance of Security Culture in Facilitating Security Excellence' - was to explore the challenges to building a strong security culture in today’s world and assess how the security sector is responding. The research is based on the...
Security Managers lack influence over the security budget; and how to remedy that
The aim of the research was to explore the extent to which security managers are able to influence the security budget, whether and why this matters, and how greater influence can be attained. It is based on the views of security professionals from both in-house and...
Covid-19 and the implications for the security sector: what happened and what has been and is being learned?
83% of respondents felt that overall security had performed well in the crisis. 74% agreed or strongly agreed that security professionals have developed new skill sets that will be invaluable going forward. 59% felt that security would retain a greater priority than...
Understanding influences on security as a career/job choice: what those working in the security sector think
Only 4% of respondents heard of work in security through a careers talk at school/college/university; the most prominent source of awareness was from a suggestion by a friend, colleague or family member (35%). 78% of respondents were attracted to a career in security...
The Evolution of Physical Security Measures: assessing the benefits and implications
The aim of this report was to develop a better understanding of the ways in which physical security measures are being enhanced by internet-enabled technologies which we refer to as ‘advanced technologies’ and the implications this has on security practice. While...
The Barriers to Effective Buyer-Supplier Relationships in the Security Sector
The aim of the research was to identify and discuss the factors in the buyer-supplier relationship that can impact negatively on the relationship, and ultimately on the success of the contract. The research is based on examination of existing literature, survey...
Towards ‘A Strategy for Change’ for the Security Sector
We have launched two reports from the Security Research Initiative addressing key considerations for the security industry. Together they seek to understand and highlight the ways in which private security can help protect the public – in private and public space –...
Tackling Cyber Crime: The Role of Private Security
This Security Research Initiative Report highlights the crucial role that physical security suppliers and corporate security departments play in tackling cyber crime, albeit that this often goes unrecognised. In a survey of both physical security specialists and cyber...
Bundled versus Single Service Security: A Discussion
This study is based on interviews with suppliers and procurers of security services and looks at the benefits and drawbacks of providing security as a 'single service' or as part of a 'bundle' alongside other facilities management services. The report identifies a...
Introduction to Purchasing Security
The SRI has produced two reports on Procurement of Security. The first contains findings from a research study focussing on those engaged in the buying decision. It raises some interesting findings not least that the security sector believe that procurers often do not...
Demonstrating the Value of Security
Procurers noted that one of the problems for the security sector (and a criticism of it) was that it did not show how it added value and therefore tended to be viewed as an unwelcome cost. Thus the second year of the SRI focussed on the extent to which security could...
Organisational Perspectives on the Value of Security
This study was undertaken to gain a better understanding of the view of the security function from those in senior management positions within organisations but not those specialising in security. Not only was security commonly considered as an important function...
The Opportunities and Barriers to Partnership Working Between the Police and Private Sector
This research looks at how the police and private security industry work together and how the police and corporate security work in partnership, in order to identify the barriers preventing effective partnership initiatives and to establish what opportunities exist....
The Security Sector in Perspective
This study identifies how individuals from the security sector view the current state of the sector and examines their perspectives on economic and regulatory changes. The key feature of this study was to design and administer an online survey of the security sector,...
SRI: Security Strategy Toolkit
Surprisingly few organisations have a security strategy in place - and even less have an effective strategy. Our research prior to developing the toolkit had found that only one in three companies have a full, board approved, security strategy. Even when a security...
SRI: Procuring Security Toolkit
Previous research showed that the procurement process used for purchasing security goods and services does not always work to the benefit of the buyer and/or supplier. We identified that much could be gained from a research study drawing on the experiences of those...