Security industry scope and emerging trends

Private security in the U.S. has always played a role in crime prevention and public safety. Now, with the new threat of terrorist activities, private security has an even greater responsibility in the protection and security of U.S. citizens. However, no national research has been done to measure or analyze industry size or trends since 1990 and updating this information is crucial since the industry has seen a huge growth in revenue, workforce, and scope over the last 15 years.

This study proposes to fill this need for current data by the conduct of a national survey of private security to measure the size, scope, and activities of the various elements of the security industry, including their relationship to public law enforcement and other business sectors. The survey will also ascertain changes in the industry following September 11 and will examine probable future trends in activities and expenditures. In addition to the private security survey, a second survey will be conducted of city and county law enforcement to measure police perceptions of and interactions with private security in a variety of contexts. Eastern Kentucky University will conduct the two surveys under subcontract to ASIS.