The civil security market in the United Kingdom is moving towards the integration of systems. The aim is to ensure that all segments can be managed from a single platform, reducing operational costs and increasing technology efficiency. The demand for integrated security solutions is primarily concentrated in airports, both for existing and new infrastructure.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan finds that the market earned revenue of £310 million in 2010 and estimates this to reach £388 million by 2020. Between 2010 and 2017, the market is likely to see cumulative revenue of £2.8 billion from the airports, energy, borders and mass transport sectors.

“Increasing passenger throughput is underlining the urgent need for integrated solutions in airports. Integration of all airports systems, including security, is seen by operators as the best way to manage passenger flows more efficiently,” notes Frost & Sullivan Programme Manager Balaji Srimoolanathan. “In the future, the market is likely to be characterised by integration as opposed to the procurement of new systems.”

Security system integration projects, that are designed to merge the existing disparate systems, are expected to continue for at least the next three years. Success in this market is expected to lead to an increasing number of integration projects throughout the UK.

“However, many security authorities have expressed a strong sense of disappointment with the level of funding required to implement cutting-edge security technologies and systems,” explains Srimoolanathan. “This has led them to redirect their security budgets towards more manpower-intensive solutions or towards solutions that offer slightly less capabilities but have been commoditised to the point that they offer a greater level of cost efficiency.”

Private enterprises operating in a competitive environment are primarily interested in improving the customer experience, while managing costs. Therefore, in addition to demonstrating the functional benefits of their security solutions, suppliers must provide evidence that these solutions can lead to reduced operator costs in the long term. Operators look for ways to maintain high standards of security at lower costs, especially during recessionary times.

“System integrators are in a strong position to market the cost-cutting benefits of their solution,” remarks Srimoolanathan. “Although start-up spend is high, an integrated security network allows operators to cut costs in the long term and improve profitability.”