Private security industry: overview and operations

¶ … Private security industry [...] impact of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the private security field. Clearly, the private security industry, and all security, was impacted by the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York, Washington D.C. And Pennsylvania. Airport and border securities were tightened, and many Americans turned to private security firms to ensure their own personal safety. Millions of businesses also turned to private security to shore up their business defenses. Studies indicate that some forms of private security services are booming, but overall, the security industry has actually declined between 1999 and 2004.

The nation's private security industry has certainly changed since the September 11 terrorist attacks, but how much it has changed really depends on specific areas of security. One industry researcher notes, "In 2003, there were approximately one million security guards (including airport screeners) employed in the United States -- compared to 650,000 U.S. police officers" (Parfomak 5). This indicates that more industries, and even the federal government, are relying on private security firms to guard a variety of business and industry, from the nation's airports and water supplies to the nation's businesses and private homes. Researcher Parfomak continues, "Nearly half of these guards were employed directly by the institutions they served; the rest, approximately 53% of all guards, worked for contract guard companies providing outsourced guard services" (Parfomak 5). However, surveys and studies indicate that while security industry numbers have been increasing since September 2001, they have actually decreased from 1999 survey totals by about 122,000 jobs nationally. Thus, it may seem that private security firms are increasing their role and their employment, but some are actually seeing less need for their services than they did five years ago. There are many reasons for this.

One reason private security firms may be seeing a decrease in numbers is their lack of authority. Parfomak continues, "Although security guards have long supplemented public law enforcement, they typically have more limited authorities than police and other law officers" (Parfomak 8). Some businesses may not feel comfortable with security firms that offer less police authority than traditional law enforcement personnel, and so they may be turning to other forms of security defense. In addition, private firms often do not pay as well as law enforcement, and do not train as rigorously, and some firms may consider private security guards an inadequate form of protection. Another reason may be the worry over business and industry security after the attacks may have been short lived, and businesses cut back on security as the time after the terrorist attack lengthened. Another plausible explanation is that because the economy slumped after the attacks, many businesses folded, and the need for security disappeared (Parfomak 12-13). However, the need for private security in certain areas has increased, such as in critical infrastructure like nuclear power plants, water supplies, military bases, and other areas that are critical to the nation's health and security.

The one area where security has grown after the terrorist attacks is in the number of airport screeners. However, since these screeners are no longer privatized but are government employees, they may have actually negatively impacted the growth of private security when the jobs were taken over by the government. Parfomak notes, "The TSA has subsequently reduced the screening workforce to 44,000 workers, although this number of screeners is still 57% higher than in 2001" (Parfomak 13). In addition, guards at nuclear power plants have increased since the attacks, and most of these guards are in the private security industry. Other areas where security has increased are chemical facilities, some high-rise office buildings, and many banking and financial institutions (Parfomak 14-15). Private security, it seems, is still a viable industry, but in certain areas, it has become less viable and so less cost effective.

Directly after the terrorist attacks, there was a surge in private security employment. In 2002, one journalist noted, "Since September 11, our clients have raised security levels. As the threat continues and public law enforcement is required to do more than ever, we'll see more businesses, malls, shopping centers, banks and even residential complexes that opt for private security'" (Corkery). This was the case, but this trend did not continue, probably due to budget constraints and less fear of terrorism, as previously noted. That is not to say that the private security industry may not increase again in the future. As terrorism escalates around the world, more companies may see an ongoing need for security. In addition, as the economy continues to improve, more companies may be able to afford more adequate security, raising the employment and growth numbers in the industry. National security will continue to be a concern for business, industry, and government, and so, security will certainly continue to grow and change in the future.