What is the changing role of training in the security industry?

Training use to be required for video surveillance to convey difficult, complex subject matters. While designing and implementing very large systems may still require certification training, our industry has matured along with the technical savvy of everyday users and technicians, allowing us to shift our focus. Products have become more end-user-focused using efficient technologies to provide information. Tabbed interfaces, tooltips, and simple language and icons have moved us to the point that many systems do not need more than 5-10 minutes of training. Furthermore, we can move toward showing people where the correct resources are vs. the “Sage on the Stage.” We can show users how to access and search knowledge bases and training videos, allowing them to learn more as they become accustomed to the system and a more advanced user. When problems arise, these same knowledge base systems can assist them or direct them to support when needed.

Training in the security and video surveillance market is becoming an increasingly critical component of every technology deployment today, as systems and devices advance and the risk landscape continues to evolve. End users must feel confident in their ability to mitigate threats through the innovative solutions they chose, and this can be achieved through a comprehensive and straightforward training process. A structure that educates, answers questions and provides flexibility allows users to transition seamlessly to a new product and quickly adapt to any learning curve involved. And as technology updates for a system become available, ensuring proper training is crucial to elevate the service a manufacturer provides for a customer/end user. Manufacturers must prioritise the development of highly skilled trainers who are eager to share their knowledge and expertise, creating a thorough and robust training program presented in an easily comprehensible format for the ultimate mastery of a solution.

Learning Management Systems (LMS) are playing an integral part of training development these days, especially for manufacturers who have multiple product portfolios and a great deal of subject matter to deliver. From a trainee perspective, they have unlimited access to the information they need, and they can simply log-in via their smartphones and tablets at any time, so that they don’t have to wait until their next online training session to develop skills and perfect work-related tasks. From the manufacturer’s perspective, it provides the ability to keep track of customer learner progress; and if an online learner is not able to successfully complete an eLearning scenario, you can offer them supplemental resources to improve their performance or learning behaviors. In addition, it keeps organisations up-to-date with compliance regulations as an LMS gives you the ability to add new compliance standards to your online training course within a matter of minutes.

In a market of increasingly changing technologies, the role of training is as paramount as ever before. Invariably new technology arrives with a lot of promises that can take a while to become reality. Training the key to level set expectations with the market – helping system integrators and end users alike to be able to develop a sound and realistic idea of what capabilities the new technology can truly provide. Ultimately, the market must be aware of the connection between untrained employee, employee satisfaction and overall business performance. An end user and a system integrator will benefit from having a strong program that engages with their employees, one that enables them to become extremely efficient in getting the best out of the systems they are deploying or running.

The concept of risk management has gained enough traction in most organisations that a range of security and safety technologies has been put into place. Cameras have been positioned, access control deployed, and security turnstiles and doors as well. There may also be biometric solutions and multi-factor authentication on-site. Training of management and staff has become a necessity. It’s essential for all personnel, including management, to be trained to create a strong, security-driven culture. Proactive communication through email, meetings, and even hosting a security “fair” (inviting security vendors), can help educate staff on the importance of personally contributing to one’s own safety as well as the collective safety of others. And, it’s not a one-time deal: training is continuous and requires reminders and reinforcement, especially if turnover is high. Training enables management to support new security measures and help personnel take ownership of the effort to keep a safer environment.