Securitas believes that the security of the future will be a combination of the more physical and traditional part with a more virtual and digital one. For this reason, the company, almost a hundred years old, is promoting a profound transformation of its business model, going from one that is intensive in personnel to another where technology and data are the protagonists. The company is integrating cutting-edge solutions such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and virtual reality to offer what they call “protection as a comprehensive service.”
Carlos Rebate, director of Transformation and Security Solutions, explains to this editorial team that the strategy seeks to combine the best of two worlds: human experience and technological potential. “What we try at Securitas is to equip this biological and cultural layer with an artificial one,” he detailed, adding that the objective is “to help the person make the best decisions based on the context”, creating a kind of “neocortex” that enhances human capabilities through data analytics.
One of the most innovative projects mentioned is the use of AI and IoT sensors for the early detection of forest fires. This system uses learning models to identify suspended particles and other combustion indicators, allowing for a much faster response. “There you see that convergence,” commented Carlos Rebate, underlining how technology can “multiply the capacity” of human teams by filtering noise and prioritizing relevant alerts.
Furthermore, this manager assures that the first effects of this transformation can already be seen in the company. “We are having conversations and we are in an intellectual moment that does not envy any conversation that is happening anywhere on the planet. We are talking about AI and very diverse and very powerful use cases,” he assured. To demonstrate this, the company has created a center of immersive experiences where, through technologies such as virtual reality, they tangibly show how they are redefining security.
This paradigm shift has not met with internal resistance, quite the opposite. “I have felt embraced,” confessed Carlos Rebate when talking about the reception of these ideas by the management team. Recognize that change management is the biggest challenge, especially the human one. “The algorithm costs you a month, change management costs you a year,” he stated, highlighting that the ultimate goal is for teams to integrate the new tools naturally into their daily operations.
Transversal transformation
This evolution does not imply the creation of new separate business lines, but rather a transversal transformation of all existing services. Classic electronic security, such as video surveillance systems, is now “augmented” with layers of video analytics and artificial intelligence that allow information to be segmented and focus on what is important. To this end, Securitas adopts a supplier-agnostic stance, collaborating with both large technology manufacturers and innovative startups to build the best solutions.
Looking to the future, Carlos Rebate believes that the key will continue to be the convergence between sensorization and artificial intelligence, opening a universe of possibilities to protect not only companies, but society in general against risks such as extreme weather events. Despite the “hyperinflation” surrounding AI, Securitas’ strategy remains practical, applying the technology to very specific, high-impact use cases.