Securitas training 10,000 data center professionals

STOCKHOLM – Securitas has revealed that it aims to certify 10,000 officers as data center security and safety professionals following the establishment of the Global Clients Data Center Group in 2023.

Securitas said it’s now taking an important next step by strengthening the skills of its security officers by introducing a certification for managing data centers’ diverse security challenges with efficiency and expertise. Calling data centers the unseen backbone that enables everything from streaming movies and sports events to managing the financial transactions, and supporting communication tools, Securitas expects the global data center market is projected to expand significantly, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.9% leading up to 2030.

Rapid growth comes with challenges however, and as a result data centers face a myriad of security threats, including human error, system failures, natural disasters, and cyberattacks. These risks, Securitas said, highlight the need for specialized security measures to protect critical infrastructures.

“In enhancing our commitment to top-tier security services for data centers, Securitas will train a large number of security officers to become certified data center security professionals, elevating the quality of security services provided to data centers globally,” the company wrote.

"The certified data center security professional training is an example of Securitas' dedication to providing security solutions tailored to meet the challenges in the markets where we operate”, says Bert den Hartog, VP, global clients data centers. "With over 15,000 hours of total training, upon completion, more than 10,000 participants will attain the certification, showcasing their best-in-class proficiency in safeguarding these high-security facilities."

Securitas highlighted a number of key focus areas in the training such as stringent physical access control, emergency response procedures, adherence to ethics, and professional conduct. The company promised that their certified data center professionals will be adept at addressing a wide array of security challenges, all while efficiently managing other crucial responsibilities, minimizing the need for excess personnel, and therefore reducing the risk of human error.

"We understand the pivotal role data centers play in today's digital landscape," noted Milton Plet, SVP, head of Securitas’ Data Center Group. “That is why Securitas is investing in our professionals, ensuring they have the necessary expertise and skills to provide best-in-class protection for our clients. In the same way as security officers tasked with protecting fire-prone facilities must possess expertise in fire safety, our data center specialists need extensive knowledge in all peculiarities of data centers." 

While the company notes that the current rollout will elevate the industry standard, it also plans to introduce additional modules to the certification and launch further training for their officers. Launched on February 12, the training will purportedly integrate into the Securitas Global Clients Academy seamlessly for all Securitas officers in data centers, accessible to every employee for continuous development.

“Our exceptional data center clients are testament to our position at the forefront of this crucial security domain," said Magnus Ahlqvist, president and CEO of Securitas. “Data center security is about ensuring business continuity and instilling confidence in a highly complex and delicate environment. Giving our clients peace of mind, no matter where in the world they operate, has never been more important.”

More information available online at www.securitasinc.com.