1. Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) & Ministry of Social and Family Development, launched the refreshed Security Industry Transformation Map (ITM) today at the Security Industry Conference 2022 held at Sands Expo & Convention Centre. The event was attended by over 300 guests, including tripartite partners and Government agencies.
Background
2. The Security ITM, led by MHA with support from tripartite partners, was launched in 2018 to uplift the private security industry.[1]
3. The Security ITM has since helped the industry move progressively from a manpower-intensive model to one that integrates skilled manpower and technology to deliver higher quality security services. To date, the Security ITM has seen significant progress in all strategic areas as follows:
a) Greater adoption of outcome-based contracting (OBC), which is a critical enabler of industry transformation and technology adoption, and more pervasive use of technology in security operations;[2]
b) Better wages and welfare, as well as upskilling and career advancement opportunities for security officers, such as the Progressive Wage Model and enhanced protections against abuse and harassment through the Private Security Industry Act; and
c) Higher industry standards with the implementation of the Security Agencies Competency Evaluation (SACE), which emphasises leveraging technology in operations, training and development, and business continuity plans.
Security ITM 2025
4. The Security ITM 2025 seeks to build on this momentum by pressing on with refreshed initiatives as well as preparing the industry for the new model of delivering security services as part of integrated facilities management (FM).[3]
A More Advanced and Integrated Industry
5. The first area of focus for Security ITM 2025 is in catalysing greater adoption of advanced and inter-operable technology. In recent years, many security agencies have made solutions such as automated visitor registration machines or wearable security devices a mainstay of their operations. Some have gone further to set up fully integrated security command centres with video analytics. The shift towards integrated FM in managing deployment sites has also encouraged service buyers to explore the use of technology to collectively meet their premises’ needs, where various systems and processes covering security, cleaning, and FM services are integrated into centralised technology-driven platforms. This is a key shift in the Security ITM, which will enable agencies to enjoy greater efficiencies and more streamlined operations. In turn, buyers can benefit from better services and cost savings.
6. To support these developments, MHA and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) will jointly update the Security Industry Digital Plan (IDP), which was first introduced in 2018, so that the IDP remains relevant to the needs of security agencies and supports the growth of their digital capabilities. The refreshed IDP will see an updated digital roadmap to guide the industry in using advanced solutions in their operations, migrate to integrated solutions to achieve efficiencies, and use data protection and cybersecurity tools to safeguard their businesses.
7. Another initiative that would be helpful for smaller security agencies is IMDA’s Chief Technology Officer-as-a-Service (CTO-as-a-Service), a one-stop platform for SMEs to access digitalisation resources and receive end-to-end digital consultancy support. Through CTO-as-a-Service, security agencies can receive recommendations on suitable digital solutions for adoption from over 450 subsidised solutions available on the platform. IMDA-appointed consultants will also be on hand to provide in-depth advisory and project management services. More details on the IDP and CTO-as-a-Service can be found at Annex A.
Outcome-Based Contracting a New Norm, to Transform Procurement and Planning
8. Second, the Security ITM 2025 will seek to accelerate OBC adoption as it will be a critical enabler of industry transformation and technology adoption. OBC has spurred security agencies to deliver more innovative and productive solutions, which better optimise technology, manpower and processes. About two-thirds of public service agencies have started to transit to OBC, while about seven in ten private sector buyers already have plans to adopt OBC.[4] The Singapore Police Force’s Centre for Protective Security (CPS) will further intensify its outreach to private sector service buyers, including through meetings and virtual webinars, to encourage and help more to adopt OBC. More details on CPS’s initiatives on OBC can be found at Annex B.
9. More avenues for help will also be made available. A one-stop OBC resource portal has been launched by CPS, with support from the security industry associations and Union of Security Employees (USE), to help security agencies and service buyers familiarise themselves with OBC and connect them to useful information such as grants and procurement templates.[5] Earlier this month, the security industry associations and USE launched the Security Tripartite Alliance for Responsible Outcome Based Contracting (STAR), to provide security agencies and buyers with a range of customised support to adopt OBC, such as consultancy services and training.
Developing a Future-Ready, Multi-Skilled Workforce
10. Our continued push for technology adoption and more optimised processes must be supported by a competent workforce. Therefore, a third pillar of the Security ITM 2025 is dedicated to charting the skillsets that the security workforce will need to adopt. The Skills Framework for Security, jointly developed by SkillsFuture Singapore, Workforce Singapore, MHA, and the industry, will be updated to spotlight skills needed for the changing job scope of security officers.[6] This will include training for security officers to operate new solutions, such as integrated technology-driven platforms, to prepare the industry to deliver integrated FM services. Beyond technology-related skills, security officers’ competencies in customer orientation, problem solving, and de-escalation skills will also be enhanced, so that they can better protect themselves if faced with challenges on the ground.
11. A new role for Security Technologists is also being developed to support the transition towards more advanced integrated solutions, and to provide new skills-based career pathways for officers. Security Technologists will play a key role in the implementation and operation of technological solutions as these become more widespread in augmenting security operations. More details will be shared when ready.
Raising the Bar for New Entrants into the Industry
12. As we uplift the security industry through transformation efforts, the Police will ensure that new entrants have the means to invest in technology and support better wages and welfare for their officers. From 1 July 2023, the initial paid-up capital requirement for new security agency licence applicants will be raised from $300,000 to $500,000.
Conclusion
13. MHA remains committed to steering the Security ITM and will work closely with tripartite partners to create better jobs and shape tech-savvy and innovative enterprises for a safer and more secure Singapore.
[1] The partners include security industry associations, Union of Security Employees, security agencies, security service buyers, and Government agencies.
[2] According to MHA’s Security Industry Survey 2020, 97% of security agencies use at least one stage 1 or stage 2 solution, as recommended in the ITM’s Security Industry Digital Plan.
[3] The integrated FM model is centered on harnessing efficiencies from managing different FM services (e.g. cleaning, security, landscaping, lifts, air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems, etc.) towards a technology-driven, integrated and aggregated FM operations.
[4] According to MHA’s Security Industry Survey 2020, the OBC adoption rate among private sector buyers was about 6%. 70% of respondents, however, indicated that they had plans to adopt OBC.
[5] OBC Resource Portal
[6] The Skills Framework for Security
Annexes
1. Annex A - Factsheet on Industry Digital Plans and Chief Technology Officer-as-a-Service (PDF, 125KB)
2. Annex B - Factsheet on Outcome-Based Contracting (OBC) (PDF, 144KB)
3. Infographic on Security Industry Transformation Map (ITM) 2025 (PDF, 248KB)
