The UK private security industry is at a turning point. Crime rates, particularly retail theft, continue to rise, increasing the demand for security officers. However, the supply of security workers is shrinking, and the physical security industry is struggling to attract younger people into the workforce. This has led businesses, security personnel, and industry experts to ask, what does the future of physical security hold?
Let’s take a closer look at some physical security industry predictions for 2025 and navigate how to address the latest physical security trends.
1. Changing Perspectives on Security as a Profession
For many, the security industry is not a career—it’s a launchpad. Most people don’t enter the security industry as a long-term career choice. Instead, security work is often a stepping stone—a job taken while figuring out the next move. Many workers join the industry after leaving physically demanding jobs in construction, warehouses, or hospitality.
Because of this:
- Turnover is naturally high. Workers come in, get experience, and move on.
- The industry constantly needs new recruits. Unlike professions such as nursing or policing, security does not always provide a strong sense of career identity.
- The perception of security work is a challenge. A job title change from “security guard” to “security officer” does little to change how the public (and workers themselves) view the role.
2025 Prediction: A Career in Security Will Be More Than Just a Paycheck
In 2025, security officer roles in the UK will require more specialised training, shifting from traditional man-guarding to risk-focused careers in security. With increasing threats and advancements in AI-driven surveillance, security professionals will need certifications in areas like conflict management and cybersecurity awareness to stay competitive. Employers are also more likely to invest in employee upskilling, including SIA security training programmes, and hire individuals who’ve enrolled in e-learning courses to progress into supervisory risk management or security technology roles.
2. Shortage of Talented Staff
While the UK security sector has seen growth in the past decade, the new generation has more job alternatives than ever before. The rise of gig work, remote jobs, and side hustles means fewer young people are considering security as an option.
As fewer workers enter the industry:
- The existing workforce ages out.
- The talent pool shrinks.
- Wages slowly rise as companies struggle to fill positions.
2025 Prediction: Companies Will Need to Implement Retention Strategies
In 2025, the physical security industry is anticipated to face a significant talent shortage due to fewer young individuals entering the field. The demand for security officers will continue to grow while the supply of workers will decline, leading to wage increases and pressure on companies to operate more efficiently. This trend on the future of physical security underscores the importance of developing strategies to make security roles more attractive to younger workers.
3. Strategies to Tackle Labour Exploitation
Labour exploitation is a widely discussed problem and is a symptom of the security industry’s economics.
Here’s the reality:
- Margins in security contracts are thin. Security firms bid low to win contracts, leaving little room for high wages.
- Subcontracting is a major issue. A company wins a contract but lacks the workforce to deliver it, so they subcontract, slicing the margin even further.
- This is unique to the UK. In most other countries, you can’t bid for contracts you can’t fulfil yourself.
2025 Prediction: Stricter Regulations Will Reshape the UK Security Industry
In 2025, the UK’s security industry will likely undergo major regulatory reforms to tackle labour exploitation and subcontracting. The SIA is pushing for mandatory business licensing, ensuring firms manage their workforce instead of relying on subcontractors. This would prevent wage dilution and improve working conditions.
Additionally, the Procurement Act 2023 is expected to make security procurement more transparent and accountable for public sector contracts. These changes are expected to benefit both workers and service providers.
4. Integration of Technology in Company Operations
Let’s be honest; the man-guarding model is outdated. Many security firms operate on huge turnovers but razor-thin profit margins (1-2% EBITDA). Why? Because:
- Heavy middle management overheads eat into profits.
- Cash flow is a nightmare—firms don’t get paid on time but still need to pay staff weekly.
- There is little to no investment in technology—many companies still operate manually.
2025 Prediction: Technology Will Be the Way Forward
In 2025, the UK’s physical security industry is expected to increasingly integrate advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. This shift aims to address challenges like high turnover rates and the need for more proactive threat detection. The security industry hasn’t had its “Revolut moment” yet, but the companies that embrace lean models and technology will dominate in the next decade.
5. Collaboration Between the Police and Private Security
Traditionally, there has been limited collaboration between police and private security. The two have operated independently due to regulatory restrictions, differing priorities, and a lack of formal integration. The police have traditionally focused on law enforcement, while private security has been seen as a separate, commercially driven sector. Concerns over training standards, accountability, and legal authority have also contributed to this divide.
However, as police resources become increasingly stretched, the need for closer cooperation is growing. With police resources stretched thin, the private security industry is being drawn into more frontline roles. This is pushing both sectors toward a more integrated approach to public safety.
2025 Prediction: Private Security Firms Will Work in Tandem with the Police
The physical security industry is expected to see increased collaboration between private security firms and police forces to address rising crime rates and resource constraints. We are likely to see the private security industry playing a bigger role in public safety, taking on low-priority policing tasks like patrolling retail areas and transport hubs. This shift will require higher training standards but will also give security professionals greater purpose and responsibility in society.
Recommended Read: Can Private Security Save the UK Police?
Parting Thoughts: The Industry Must Adapt or Shrink
Like it or not, crime isn’t going down anytime soon. This is why it’s essential to invest in the tools, training, and talent needed to optimise workflows and streamline security operations.
The future of physical security is centred on adaptability. Security companies that fail to evolve will struggle. The ones that embrace technology, reduce costs, and rethink workforce management will thrive in 2025. Similarly, security professionals who invest in upskilling and SIA training programmes, such as those offered by Get Licensed, are more likely to have fulfilling and successful security careers.
Which side do you want to be on?
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