More than half of security professionals cited counter terror as an area they’d like to train up in, according to a survey about training needs in the industry.
Asked which topics they are most keen to upskill in, respondents most commonly said security management (63%), followed by security consultancy (61%), counter-terrorism (55%) and crisis management (47%).
The survey, which was conducted by the Linx International Group, also reveals that continuous professional development (76%) is the biggest motive for undertaking training, followed by certification/training (71%) and personal development (64%).
Just over half (51%) of all respondents – who are employed in a range of sectors, both public and private – paid for training themselves, while 45% were funded by their organisation and 4% were financed by other means.
Most security professionals said training had a meaningful benefit to themselves, their organisation and the security industry as a whole – but the biggest benefit was to their own career prospects (81% recognised the benefits versus 74% for the industry as a whole and 68% for their organisation).
Classroom-based training remains the most popular teaching method, e-learning is growing more popular. Some 60% of respondents having already taken part in some form of e-learning and 70% likely to do so in the future.
A majority of respondents also expect their participation in distance learning, blended learning and training led by a virtual instructor, to rise.
“There is a clear trend towards upskilling and individuals taking responsibility for their own career development, as well as demand from industry for better qualified, certified and accredited professionals,” said Ken Livingstone, group training director of the Linx International Group, which provides security, risk management and training services.
“This is evident through our support of the CTSP – a professional register of Certified Technical Security Professionals – with applications for Registration already in the hundreds within the first month of its launch.”
Linx International Group surveyed 1,000 respondents from around the world, with UK and Ireland accounting or 49.46%, followed by Africa (19%), mainland Europe (13%), Middle East (8%), Asia (5%), US and Central America (4%) and Australasia (1%).
The research was conducted by the Linx International Group on behalf of its group companies: Linx Consultancy, ARC Training, Perpetuity Academy and Tavcom Training.
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