In the security industry, we rely on frontline professionals to ensure safety, vigilance, and order. These individuals are deployed on the frontlines to be observant, decisive, and proactive, often in high-stress and unpredictable situations. Yet, despite their critical role, the industry has largely neglected one fundamental question: are they mentally and emotionally prepared to perform at their best under stress?
At Get Licensed, we believe the answer lies in a concept we call on-duty readiness. This goes beyond traditional SIA security training courses, which focuses on information transfer and basic skill sets. On-duty readiness equips security officers—and other frontline workers—with the mental tools and resilience needed to excel in real-world situations.
The Problem: Stress Impairs Performance in Security Roles
Currently, the SIA-approved security training is heavily focused on imparting knowledge: understanding legal responsibilities, conflict management, and physical intervention techniques. While these are vital, the training overlooks a crucial factor: how stress and mental state impact performance.
Research shows that stress triggers the limbic brain, the area responsible for fight-or-flight responses. During stressful situations, the prefrontal cortex—the brain’s center for rational thinking and decision-making—is impaired. This can lead to impulsive reactions or inaction in moments that require quick, level-headed responses.
In high-stakes environments like the Manchester Arena bombing, we’ve seen how stress can overwhelm even the most well-trained individuals. Extending training hours or adding more information to the curriculum isn’t the solution. What’s needed is a focus on managing stress and maintaining mental clarity during stressful situations.
Learning from High-Stakes Professions
Other industries, such as the military and elite sports, have long understood the importance of mental preparedness. Soldiers are trained to manage combat stress through techniques like controlled breathing, visualisation, and mindfulness. Athletes use similar strategies to stay focused and composed during competitions.
In contrast, the security industry often treats personnel as static “bodies on duty” rather than dynamic professionals whose effectiveness relies on their mental and emotional state. This mindset must change. By adopting strategies from these high-stakes fields, security officers can become better equipped to handle emergencies, de-escalate conflicts, and prevent incidents.
The Solution: Introducing On-Duty Readiness Training
At Get Licensed, we are developing an on-duty readiness course that will revolutionise how we prepare frontline workers. This course will focus on empowering individuals with practical tools to manage stress, maintain focus, and perform optimally, even in high-pressure environments.
Key elements of the course will include:
1. Stress Regulation Techniques:
- Controlled breathing exercises to calm the limbic system and activate rational thinking.
- Progressive muscle relaxation to reduce physical tension and improve focus.
2. Mental Resilience Practices:
- Visualisation exercises to mentally rehearse handling stressful scenarios.
- Mindfulness techniques to stay present and avoid overreacting to perceived threats.
3. Health and Wellness Strategies:
- Nutrition and supplements to support cognitive function and energy levels.
- Sleep optimisation to ensure officers start their shifts fully rested.
4. Cognitive Performance Training:
- Techniques to improve situational awareness and quick decision-making under pressure.
Applications Beyond the Security Industry
While this course is designed with the security sector in mind, its applications extend far beyond. Frontline workers in healthcare, law enforcement, and emergency services all operate in high-stress environments where split-second decisions can have life-or-death consequences.
Developing mental strength is crucial in these high-pressure roles. By extending this training to all frontline sectors, we aim to create a ripple effect of improved safety and performance across industries.
Our Commitment
At Get Licensed, we are committed to empowering frontline workers with the tools they need to succeed. The security industry must move beyond outdated training models that prioritise information overload over real-world readiness.
It’s time to treat security officers—and all frontline workers—as professionals who deserve the same level of preparation as soldiers or athletes.
Our goal is simple: to make the world a safer place by equipping those who protect us with the mental and emotional resilience they need. Watch this space as we work with subject matter experts from law enforcement, military training, and performance coaching to bring this groundbreaking course to life.
Explore our courses today and take the first step toward building a safer, more prepared frontline workforce. Together, we can ensure that our frontline workers are not just standing on duty, but thriving on duty.
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