Influences that shape both the job market as well as workplace dynamics continue to evolve. Unique to the security profession, however, is that many of these key factors will have an increased effect on the security risks that your organization faces in addition to challenging you on a personal level.

Remote and hybrid work models vs RTO mandates

Indications are each of these three will continue to affect work that, by its nature, requires a physical presence. Organizations taking a hard line on requiring employees to return to the office will be faced with even more retention and recruitment challenges. The potential for security risk and compliance vulnerabilities exists for companies unprepared to deal with these issues.

Demographic and work place dynamics

Adults 65 and older remain a growing segment of the workplace. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) predicts these employees are expected to account for 8.6% of the workforce by 2032. If this projection is correct, those numbers will represent a 57% labor force growth over a 10-year period.

It is already common to see security practitioners over the age of 65 who are still fully engaged within the security industry. If this trend continues and the BLS predictions are correct, this suggests that the growth of advancement opportunities for mid-career security professionals may slow without an offsetting increase in the overall growth of the profession.

While new companies with emerging security programs will look for senior level leadership — as will those organizations who are expanding their security and risk programs — an expansion in available experienced senior talent will mean that competition for top security jobs will remain fierce.

Workplace culture

SHRM, the world’s largest HR association, last year focused on Incivility in the workplace as an increasing concern. They noted a rise in rude, disrespectful, and / or aggressive behavior across all industries. These types of environments create an increase in stress, decrease in job satisfaction, and lower productivity.

Companies now invest substantially more in mental health support and stress management. There is no sign that the underlying causes and drivers fueling incivility are going to abate, meaning there will be increases in operational disruptions. The psychological impact associated with the inevitable stress and anxiety will likely create what is sometimes referred to as emotional contagion, creating a toxic work environment that undermines security.

Economic challenges

The direct business disruption costs associated with declining workplace culture are numerous. They include turnover costs, litigation, brand and reputation decline that affects the perception of an organization by their customers, suppliers and the public in general. It is also likely to result in costly security risk related problems ranging from insider threats, violence, intellectual property issues, and sabotage. All of this will result in financially negative consequences for organizations.

To have a positive impact on their careers, security professionals will need to consider how to support their organization’s efforts to prevent, minimize or mitigate any resulting issues from these four key influences, even with the knowledge the practitioners themselves will be personally affected by the issues as well.