The Linx International Group has revealed the results of a survey investigating the attitudes of security professionals towards training. The survey highlights a clear commitment to professional and personal development, the desire to raise industry standards and security becoming a serious long-term career path.
During the summer of 2017, 1000 security professionals working across industries in the private and public sector, participated in the study conducted by the Linx International Group on behalf of its group companies – Linx Consultancy, ARC Training, Perpetuity Academy and Tavcom Training.
The findings reveal that security professionals are taking their careers and skills development seriously, with Continuous Professional Development (76%), certification/training (71%) and personal development (64%) cited as the three main drivers for undertaking training. This attention to personal and professional progression is reflected in how training is being paid for, with just over half (51%) of all respondents paying for training themselves, while 45% of training is being funded by the organisation, with the remainder funded via other means.
The survey also highlights a wide acknowledgement of the importance of recognised training qualifications, with 81% stating its importance to them as an individual, 68% acknowledged its importance to the organisation and 74% recognised the positive impact recognised training qualifications have on their respective industries.
Group Training Director of the Linx International Group, Ken Livingstone: “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.” Livingstone adds: “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.”
Classroom-based training remains the most popular teaching method, however e-learning is gaining momentum with 60% of respondents having already taken part in some form of e-learning and 70% likely to do so in the future. Respondents also expect their participation in distance learning, blended learning and training led by a virtual instructor, to increase.
The focus areas security professionals are looking to gain more expertise in include: security management (63%), security consultancy (61%), counter-terrorism (55%) and crisis management (47%).
The 1000 participants of the Linx International Group survey came from UK & Ireland (49.46%), Africa (19%), mainland Europe (13%), Middle East (8%), Asia (5%), US and Central America (4%), Australasia (1%).
