As more firms move towards personal safety, it is necessary to know HR here

As more firms move towards personal safety, it is necessary to know HR here
Even at the corporate level, most private security departments are relatively small, and there is a high level of movement between organizations. This is a highly specialized field with very specific skills and demonstrated personal security experience and expertise is a valuable commodity.

When it comes to new hires, it should come as no surprise that a significant percentage of private security professionals have a background in the industry with a career in law enforcement, military, or one of the government’s “three-letter agencies” Comes for. “

But while the skills and demands placed on personnel in those occupations have some overlap with career requirements in personal safety, the transition is not always an easy one.

There are significant differences between the action and approach demanded of a police officer and a protective services agent, and between the needs and priorities of a risk analyst and an FBI agent, that of a soldier and a chief information security officer.

Which is a big reason that failure rates are relatively high for individuals who are transitioning? And also why it is so important for HR professionals, managers, and decision-makers in private security organizations to understand the nuances of that transition: what it looks like, how and why it is so difficult, what skills and Approaches are and do not translate, and what they need to see when hiring, training and evaluating potential and current security professionals.

You do what you do

A common issue new private security professionals need to address is the tendency to fall back on established patterns and past experiences: “Do what they know.” They (understandably) default the strategic approach to the mindset and function they used in their previous career in law enforcement, military, or a government agency.

A former FBI agent would usually feel that the right approach is to set up a central investigative unit, a Secret Service professional would emphasize physical security and investigation, etc. The best and most successful personal security professionals are those who can break those habits. And Mindset can quickly and demonstrate the ability to work with a mentor or more established professional to help with that process.

Adapt to ambiguity

For those transitioning to personal security, the ambiguity and comparative chaos of the corporate world can be a difficult context in which to work. Experienced personal security experts understand that the job is less about enforcement and more about the ability to identify and mitigate risk.

Personal security is largely crisis management, investigative capability, sophisticated strategic planning, and the ability to manage and analyze the flow of information to and between the organization and its customers. In many cases, there are new shades of brown that must be accounted for. In the world of personal security, the best approach is not always the strongest performance or strongest response to the force – it often requires legal and the ability to collaborate with and provide HR.

In some cases, this may mean stopping them from pursuing an aggressive course of action or prosecuting a bad actor if it is in the best interests of the customer or company.

Authority vs. Influence

The important difference between public law enforcement or military service and private security is that the latter is less of an exercise in raw power or establishment authority, and much more about influence. There is a clear hierarchy in military or law enforcement that is often absent in the private sector. In a corporation, electricity can be slippery.

The most effective personal security professionals are those who are most adept at finding ways to influence decision-making at the highest level. Not so much about traditional command and control – it requires positive political skills, clarification, and persuasion.

Traits vs Tactics

For the most part, private sector security strategy and strategic nuances can be taught or acquired. But HR professionals, hiring managers, and decision-makers within public or private organizations must resume identifying candidates who demonstrate the right combination of traits and personal characteristics that make success in this space Will increase the chances of These include:

• Strong analytical skills and the ability to provide deep insights.
• Negotiated potential.
• Sensitivity to different business cultures and workplace dynamics.
• Relationship-makers who are collaborative and easy to work with.
• Strong communication skills.
• Tolerance for nuances and ambiguity.
• Curiosity and passion for understanding the subtleties and complexities of various businesses and industries.
• Willingness to see other ideas, embrace operational flexibility