As 2022 comes to a close, the guarding sector has faced challenges in hiring and retention like many other parts of the workforce, resulting at times in staffing shortages, along with questions about whether and how much to use artificial intelligence (AI) and/or robotics to help to supplement boots on the ground.
Of course, the pain points of staffing and other challenges come at a time when, with the world reopening as the COVID-19 pandemic wanes, demand for security officers or guards at office buildings, retail centers, events and other highly trafficked locations has been steadily rising — as has the risk of criminal activity and the fear thereof.