The mission

The privately contracted security services industry market worldwide is valued at over USD 250 billion and is growing at around 5% annually. However, it faces many challenges, such as shortages of adequately trained guards and specialized security experts in many jurisdictions, and a whole host of unexpected security threats. These threats include widespread coordinated cybersecurity attacks, massive riots, social upheaval, and, last but not least, health risks brought on by pandemics. Indeed, 2020 tested the industry with a wave of ransomware, misinformation attacks, protests, and COVID-19 to boot.

In the wake of this, one of the largest hospital networks in the United States asked their contracted security company to monitor the correct use of masks by both visitors and personnel throughout the hospitals. The security company has struggled with this request because it diverts security personnel from tackling other threats, such as intruders, combative patients, and...