Spencer Marshall, Executive Vice President UK and Europe, Gallagher Security explores whether the security industry could be doing more to create a positive impact on the world.

When it comes to securing doors and granting access, we’ve got that locked and bolted, that is after all, the foundation on which the security industry is built.

However, in an age where technology and innovation are evolving at rapid pace and the threat landscape continues to shift, customers are looking for solutions that remain steadfast in their core functionality, while also unlocking a world of new potential and greater business value.  

The shake up  

It’s an exciting time for our industry.

At Gallagher, we’re looking to re-write the narrative, the one which talks about the role of security solutions letting the right people in and keeping the wrong people out, because we’re capable of much more than that.

Across global industries, and at some of the world’s most critical infrastructure sites, our solutions are at work protecting people, places and assets.

The exciting part is the chapter unwritten, the one that explores the lesser-known capabilities of security and access solutions – from enabling the commercialisation of spaces which bring people together, to solving business problems, reducing energy bills and preserving history. 

What was once considered an essential tool in providing peace-of-mind and risk mitigation, has been re-skinned.

There is a growing expectation that the solutions we employ to keep our people and places safe are doing that as a basic hygiene requirement, but we want to unlock more, more value for our customers through the power of our solutions. 

For Gallagher, unlocking more represents a blend of innovation and opportunity.

This is a chance to explore fresh ideas, engage with cutting-edge technology and address unmet needs in creative ways.

It will give us the possibility of building new communities, solving problems and fostering collaboration.

The excitement lies in being part of something transformative, watching it evolve and making an impact. 

Preserving history, unlocking the future  

In the UK, Gallagher Security solutions are being used in ways that reframe the value delivery possible for our customers.  

For almost 100 years, Rhodes House has been a familiar building in Oxford’s historic landscape.

Steeped in history, its walls have played host to Nelson Mandela, Albert Einstein and former US President Bill Clinton.    

Today the historic, grade II listed building continues to display its iconic arts and crafts charm, whilst an impressive restoration and renovation project has brought the building straight into the 21^st Century.   

The project, including the installation of Gallagher’s award-winning site management platform, Command Centre has seamlessly future-proofed Rhodes House security, while also supporting additional revenue streams, via multi-purpose occupancy, accommodation and venue hire and event hosting facilities.  

Command Centre’s streamlined access control functionality has enabled Rhodes House to capitalise on additional commercial opportunities without the burden of additional administration tasks.   

The value our solutions can unlock enables our customers to ask what if, or perhaps, what else?   

Many of our partners have evolved with Gallagher in Europe and supported our growth over many years.

Exploring how we can unlock more together will allow us to unpack all the features and assets that Gallagher hold in their toolbox.

We want to create more opportunities for our partners and help our clients to realise the potential of our solutions to solve their business problems.  

At a UK university our access control system is managing access to potentially hazardous engineering equipment.

It ensures that only students with the required training can operate course related machinery.

Such access permissions ensure both the safety of the operator and others in the facility and enforce health and safety compliance and best practice.   

These examples are not isolated.

Across the globe forward-thinking people in forward-thinking organisations are turning to security solutions to solve the problems that cost them time and money.  

We want our partners and customers to approach security differently, thinking beyond just access control products so that together we can unlock the potential of the complete solution.

This will allow us to reframe security as an enabler. Similarly, as cyber and physical threats continue to change as attacks become more sophisticated; by thinking creatively, it allows us to anticipate vulnerabilities and integrate new technologies like AI and adapt to diversify beyond just locking doors and systems.   

Shaking up the status quo allows us to reframe the value of security solutions, offering innovative services that will interact with, and complement the shifting methods that customers use to manage their businesses.

This journey of transformation aims to best serve our customers in the most effective and profitable ways.

Uncovering layers of value will maximise the potential and ensure our solutions are used to the fullest extent, creating broader adoption. 

Creative solutions empowering decisions  

The growing demand for business efficiency, analytics, data and information that can be gleaned from our products in the field will help drive business insights and key decisions.

Systems being open where it matters, having more APIs that allow the addition of more functionality to the broader ecosystem.

We’re moving from distributed real-time access control to distributed real-time decision-making. 

And the timing is perfect, almost every aspect of business operation is undergoing a major generational change, in part due to a shift from traditional on-premise delivery towards cloud-based delivery.

Hybrid working models have dramatically altered office spaces and legacy security systems and attitudes will no longer make the grade.  

As a company built on innovation and an unwavering commitment to continually push the boundaries of what is possible, Gallagher is well placed to rattle the cage of perception.

We’re on a journey of discovery, exploring the significant operational benefits that security solutions can provide such as compliance standards, business intelligence through data insights, optimising energy usage and contributing to sustainability efforts.

We’re looking at our solutions through a functional, yet creative lens, asking the question, what if security is just the beginning?  

At Gallagher we’re committed to painting the future of what’s possible.

To keep pushing the boundaries of what security solutions deliver to make a positive difference in the world.

From making sure people go home safely to their families each night, to helping organisations become more efficient, productive and profitable. 

This article was originally published in the January 2025 Edition of Security Journal UK. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.