Embracing Sustainability in the Electronic Security Industry
Creating a Culture of Sustainability Across the Supply Chain
To secure a sustainable future for our planet, all organizations must take responsibility for reducing their impact on the environment. This is a task shared by the entire security supply chain, from technology manufacturers and integrators to end users themselves. Unquestionably, the global need to tackle climate change has become an urgent issue and every type of business should take proactive steps to minimize their environmental footprint, including investing in new processes and technologies to drive their journey to decarbonization and sustainability.
For procurement leaders, the environmental footprint of products and services has become a heavy factor in their commercial buying decisions, and this is no different when it comes to sourcing security technology. They must consider how their technology choices will impact internal sustainability targets and corporate social responsibility requirements driven by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Of course, the search for sustainable security options is made easier when the environmental credentials of products, solutions, and service providers are readily available.
Perhaps most prominent is the role of security technology manufacturers. These organizations will be central to strengthening the focus on sustainability within the wider security supply chain in years to come. From the ethical sourcing of materials and manufacturing of hardware to the packaging and distribution of products, every link in this part of the supply chain has a direct or indirect impact on the environment. Subsequently, the requirement to measure the scale of this impact is becoming intrinsically important, with integrators and end users keen to consider sustainability credentials when making their investment decisions.
Positively, we are now seeing more vendors prioritizing the development of energy-efficient products – and showcasing their sustainability efforts within their value propositions. Until recently, this information had been less prominent, but in response to rising energy costs and the urgent need for greener solutions, vendors are making progress to clearly communicate environmental, social, and governance factors (ESGs) to clients. This includes calculating and displaying details about power consumption and emission factors (EFs) to show the carbon footprint attributed to individual products and solutions.
3 Ways to Take on Sustainability Challenges with Technology
Intelligence and innovation within security technology have unlocked new ways to leverage system data for more than just protection. Beyond security, organizations are utilizing their systems to help drive operational efficiencies and monitor employee health and safety. In the same way, security technologies such as video surveillance and access control can also be used to help support organizations with sustainability.
Highlighted below are several possible use cases that can help demonstrate this:
Reducing Truck Rolls Thanks to Remote Connectivity
Remote access to security systems offers many convenience and sustainability benefits. For example, the ability for clients to view and control their security systems via mobile applications makes it much easier to get a whole view of their security program on the move. And for service providers, connecting to those client systems remotely allows for quicker and more efficient ways to conduct system maintenance and repairs. Crucially, from a sustainability standpoint, every opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) makes a positive difference. So, the simple fact that fewer truck rolls and physical site visits are needed means valuable energy can be saved.
Opting for Low-Emission Alternatives
As the focus on sustainability within the security industry magnifies, clients can expect to see more information from manufacturers on the environmental impact of their products and solutions. This information is likely to be found within product data sheets or specific Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs): documents used to communicate the carbon footprint expected over a product’s life cycle. Gaining greater visibility of sustainability credentials means clients can closely consider carbon emissions when consulting with their security provider on their technology choices.
Acting Upon Video Analytics and Occupancy Data
Facilities managers rely on data to help manage and optimize their buildings. Occupancy data processed by access control and video surveillance technology can provide actionable insights to help paint a picture of which areas of a building receive the highest or lowest levels of occupancy, and when. For example: Access control systems capture data every time a person accesses a door, enters an area, or leaves a building. Trends in this data over time can help building managers recognize patterns in the flow of people and understand regular times when specific buildings and zones are underused or unoccupied.
Video systems with cloud-based or built-in (edge) data analytics software enable cameras to capture much more than just security footage – such as people counting. In this case, strategically positioned cameras can be used to help monitor footfall by counting people in and out of a specific building, floor, or room. This provides security managers with insights on how many people are inhabiting an area in real time and over longer periods.
Both examples above could help justify decisions to switch off lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems during times of low or no occupancy, helping to reduce unnecessary power consumption and save valuable energy.
"Our commitment to sustainability is grounded by our clients' needs. By collaborating with clients and industry partners, we aim to drive long-term sustainability in electronic security through innovative solutions and services, reflecting our fundamental purpose: we help make your world a safer place, now and for the future."
Kristi Keating
Vice President Sustainability, Securitas Technology
Alongside the necessity for all organizations to contribute to global sustainable development goals, sustainability is a critical topic that the security industry must fully embrace. Every stakeholder involved with the industry, including manufacturers, software developers, distributors, installers, integrators, and service providers, can play a vital part in promoting sustainability. Moreover, the emphasis on innovation within the supply chain can lead to the discovery of more opportunities to highlight how security technology can both provide value to clients and contribute to their sustainability efforts.
