Allied Universal CEO provides midyear update on 2023 World Security Report

IRVINE, Calif., July 10, 2023 -- Allied Universal, the leading security and facility services provider and the world's seventh largest private employer, is led by Global Chairman and CEO Steve Jones.

With the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting that the unemployment rate recently increased to 3.7 percent and the number of unemployed persons rose by 440,000 to 6.1 million, Jones gives a special update on the state of the private security labor market, which remains challenging around the world.

"In my 30 years in the industry, private security has never been more important than it is today. One of the most basic human needs is to feel safe. Working in the private security industry, you help people, businesses and communities meet that need every single day.

The industry provides millions of people around the world with great career opportunities and, at the same time, helps communities feel safe and enables businesses to thrive.

Operating as Allied Universal in North America and G4S internationally, in the coming weeks we will release the first-ever World Security Report detailing key insights garnered from 1,775 chief security officers at major global companies in 30 countries. 

While I can't divulge the report's findings ahead of its official release, I can tell you that it contains important data about people in security and important industry trends.

Despite the rapid changes in technology over recent years, people remain at the core of the security programs of global companies, but the skills required for security professionals have evolved.

Long gone are the days of the big, burly, often male, security guard. A resounding percentage of chief security officers believe people skills are more important than physical attributes of strength. An even higher percentage seek diversity in their security workforce. Security decision makers are looking for security professionals with integrity, emotional intelligence, a higher education degree and the ability to speak multiple languages.

The private security industry is growing. The skillset for a valued security professional is expanding and diversifying. The deep-rooted desire to feel safe has never been stronger.

I invite the recently laid-off, new job seekers, those coming out of retirement and the veterans returning to civilian life to consider a career in the important field of security."

-- Steve Jones, global chairman and CEO, Allied Universal

About the 2023 World Security Report

This landmark research is an independent, anonymous survey of 1,775 chief security officers (CSOs), or those in equivalent roles, from large, global companies in 30 countries, with a combined annual revenue of $20 trillion in 2022, representing a quarter of the world's total gross domestic product (GDP). To receive the announcement of report's findings when available, please contact [email protected] or [email protected].