The Downsides of Advanced Technology in Today's Security Industry

SPC Daniel Bowen — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 14:25:34 -0500

Well before the War on Terror, the security industry increased ten-fold. As part of that expansion, the equipment that supports our industry has adapted and evolved to accommodate the challenges that we face. In fact, equipment that was once only conceivable as part of a Hollywood movie is now commonplace. The problem is, as we increasingly rely on more and more technologically advanced and even intuitive equipment, many of us in the security industry are slowly losing touch with our training foundations. Without the underpinning skills that may be replaced by this technology, any technological or equipment failure becomes a weakness if there’s not the competence to fill the void until the equipment failure is rectified.

One of the key skills that’s diminishing in the technology shuffle is Situational Awareness (SA). Situational Awareness is the keen ability to see and understand what is going on around us. It is being able to balance physical abilities and cognitive reasoning skills simultaneously to keep tabs on our surroundings.

COMPLACENCY IN THE INDUSTRY: IT'S ALWAYS THE LITTLE THINGS
Those of us with military backgrounds may recall how situational awareness was drilled into our everyday lives. Many question why former military personnel are so “nitpicky,” or “detailed” in their everyday work. Though we take pride in keeping things clean and organized, this desire for order isn’t the only reason we act this way. Breaking it down, we are trained from day one to notice and understand the little things.

LACK OF SITUATIONAL AWARENESS (SA) DUE TO RELIANCE UPON TECHNOLOGY
Look in today’s car market. There are many vehicles that have back-up cameras and GPS navigation as standard features. Many of us have become so reliant on GPS in our cars that we never pay much attention to the landmarks & road routes we travel on every day. Relying on this technology can erode our basic sense of direction, meaning without GPS we are lost.

BACK-UP CAMERAS look to be the new normal. It seems that having the bumper view, with lines and tick marks makes backing up a vehicle easier. Unfortunately, there have been many incidents of drivers backing into things, because they are in the habit of reversing using only the rear-view camera, assuming it filled the gaps. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released data between 2008-2011 on incidents involving backing up with cameras. Becoming over reliant on advanced equipment can lead to complacency.

THE BARE BONES: WHY THE BASICS?
Hands on training and receptive drills help to both hone reactionary skills and exercise cognitive thinking for use in any scenario whist under duress. When security personnel train, they train from the ground up. Each time they go on the range they start from the beginning with the basic safety rules. This reminds us of the value of situational awareness.

LACK OF BASIC TRAINING AFFECTING (SA)
It can be difficult to maintain cognitive reasoning skills under duress after losing use of advanced equipment. In some cases, the inability to maintain our cognitive reasoning could have been the reason mistakes were made. Maintaining good basic skill levels builds confidence, which in turn helps maintain a clear head and an effective level of situational awareness.

For Example: A police officer deploys their taser, and it has little effect on an assailant. Because the department has stun guns for every officer, combative and defensive tactics training is provided only once or twice a year which in turn leaves the officer out of practice in defensive tactics.

REMEMBER, everything security personnel do, routinely or under duress, is underpinned by good BASIC SKILLS which are directly supported by Situational Awareness. Without consistent focus on basic skills and situational awareness, everything from our reactions to our follow-through, falls apart.

Daniel Bowen has over twelve years in the security industry and is a six-year combat veteran of the war on terror, spanning multiple years of experience in Executive Protection, Federal Law Enforcement & Instructional Training. Daniel specializes in instructional training of “Off-duty Police Survival” and “Jet Etiquette & Protection” for the Executive Protection Agent.

(To see full article, points & references along with other completed articles by the author, go to https://works.bepress.com/daniel-bowen/ )

References

[Internet Article] “Why backup cameras haven’t stopped drivers from backing into stuff”, by Jacob Bogage
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/06/16/why-back-up-cameras-havent-stopped-drivers-from-backing-into-stuff/ Updated June 16th, 2016

SelectedWorks - Daniel Bowen

Berkeley Electronic Press Selected Works

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2017 2:36 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 14:36:01 -0500

SPC Daniel Bowen I agree. Relying on technology too much leaves us vulnerable when we do not have the technology or it is not working. Situational awareness is not stressed as much as it should be.

Response by SSgt Robert Marx made Nov 28 at 2017 2:38 PM

SSgt Robert Marx — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 14:38:07 -0500

I agree. Complacency among America's warfighters seems to me to get heightened through assignment of time consuming duties. Soldiers/Airmen/Marines/Sailors see the duties of watch as just a means to keep the lower rated personnel busy and know that a particular building or boat has a small chance of enemy saboteurs ever hitting it due to the fact that command & control facilities will be the enemy's first choice. Also, the ranks get filled up with people that have seen little of war due to the overseas operations get short changed in the news in favor of which celebrity did with and with whom. The 9/11 attack ranks high in the minds of people who were adults then but the kids coming up in training might not have been even born yet and so that tremendous attacks on American soil becomes ancient history. High intensity for the war fighter cannot be maintained at a high level for extended periods so the new troops see that and lose the edge they might have seen in recruit training.

Response by PO3 Donald Murphy made Nov 28 at 2017 3:15 PM

PO3 Donald Murphy — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 15:15:26 -0500

Classic example is the cluster of sailors lost near Iran that couldn't use a compass.

Response by SP5 Larry Morris made Nov 28 at 2017 3:56 PM

SP5 Larry Morris — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 15:56:41 -0500

here is how it has gone to hell yrs ago if you gave a click on the radio you were ok mow you must talk

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Nov 28 at 2017 11:23 PM

SCPO Morris Ramsey — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 23:23:36 -0500

SPC Daniel Bowen SA is more important now than ever. If you go to Walmart or the Mall. Be aware of your surroundings. Be alert. Never relax when in a crowd or crowded place.

Response by TSgt David L. made Nov 29 at 2017 12:46 AM

TSgt David L. — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 00:46:04 -0500

Technology can be a distraction, limiting one's SA. You can't rely on SA enough, and too much tech gadgets limits the scope of your awareness, IMO. Good article. SPC Daniel Bowen.

Response by SPC Daniel Bowen made Nov 29 at 2017 4:18 PM

SPC Daniel Bowen — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 16:18:33 -0500

If anyone wishes to see the full article and are having trouble, please visit my LinkedIn page to see the full article and other related topics. I am more than happy to share such information with supporting facts and even learn more from everyone here.

Response by SrA Alan Dirk Scott made Nov 29 at 2017 7:18 PM

SrA Alan Dirk Scott — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 19:18:57 -0500

Good training and situational awareness is what keeps us alive

Response by Dennis Aubuchon made Nov 30 at 2017 6:00 AM

Dennis Aubuchon — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 06:00:53 -0500

This is great information one that everyone should read. Technology can be great but we must still be aware of the things around us. In the world today it is not only beneficial to be aware of the things around us as we travel we must also be aware if things do not appear to be normal and report them to the appropriate organizations such as the police or the FBI. Thanks for offering this valuable insight.

Response by Cpl Scott McCarroll made Dec 2 at 2017 5:11 PM

Cpl Scott McCarroll — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 17:11:14 -0500

I have always had my head on a swivel, but more than that my eyes are moving too. I learned before I ever went to boot camp that at night I see things better when I don't look straight on.

Response by Debbie Pomeroy Cloud made Dec 16 at 2017 1:09 PM

Debbie Pomeroy Cloud — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 13:09:26 -0500

Excellent points and the value of hands on experience and developing invaluable skills ... I remember tge arguments of WWI pilots worried about new fangle fighter pilots and all the technology. The need of skilled "gut" combined with expanded awareness. Thank you.

Response by Nicole Thomas made Dec 30 at 2017 3:21 PM

Nicole Thomas — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 15:21:17 -0500

Drill. You drill and drill until your so sick of drilling you can't see straight, and then you drill some more. That way you don't have to wonder if you can you know you can.
Here in New Mexico they are using some. Form of stealth, which they literally pump into the atmosphere that allows you to see a plane with your eyes, but my cell phone camera lens could not pick up the image. You guys rely slot on satellite imagery and that's scary.

Response by SSgt Liam Babington made Dec 31 at 2017 8:40 PM

SSgt Liam Babington — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 20:40:33 -0500

Fundamentals..WITHOUT whizbangs are always the best way to do things! Lets face it...when the battery runs out better to have good skills than technology! Dont get me wrong! Technology is good, however it is an enhancer, not the be all that end all!!

Response by CW5 Roberto Longu made Jan 4 at 2018 3:40 PM

CW5 Roberto Longu — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 15:40:50 -0500

The technology is usefull for the people not in reverse

Response by SSgt Liam Babington made Jan 9 at 2018 6:50 AM

SSgt Liam Babington — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 06:50:30 -0500

I am in total agreement the military SHOULD teach the basics without the tech whizbangs!

Response by PV2 Dv Michael Persson made Jan 31 at 2018 6:27 PM

PV2 Dv Michael Persson — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 18:27:06 -0500

Amen I'm old school 11b still this day alot of my life still evolves around military. I could change it but I won't cause I loved my life in the military if I had the chance I would go right now

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Jan 31 at 2018 6:35 PM

MSG Floyd Williams — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 18:35:08 -0500

We are so spoil with modern technology, technology can shutdown at any given time without warning. Then we will have a major problem, what had worked in the past before technology should always be a backup.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Mar 7 at 2018 10:30 AM

MSG Danny Mathers — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 10:30:23 -0500

Situational Awareness is a mind set and has nothing to do with training. I agree with the author regarding technology but differ on SA. I regard technology as tools which make tasks easier but operators master the basics before relying strictly on the gadgets.