EDUCATION AND SECURITY CURRENT AND FUTURE CHALLENGES IN TEACHING AND LEARNING SECURITY STUDIES

Abstract

Organisations, institutions, and businesses continue to face unprecedented security challenges. The challenges include threats to cyber security, terror threats, and identity thefts among others. These threats are largely influenced by technological developments and globalisation. At the same time, globalization and the faster rate of technological transfers provide new opportunities for new security advancements. While most security studies have been designed to address known security threats, the future is uncertain; thus, security studies must be designed in a way that promotes curiosity, self-regulation, imagination, and resilience of the learners in their approach to addressing security challenges. This study aims to analyse the current and future challenges in the execution of security studies. Content analysis of private security courses, journals, peer-reviewed articles, and private company reports reveal the challenges and interventions. The increasing contribution of private security in public events, critical infrastructure, cash transportation, and executive transportation necessitate special training for the security personnel. However, the sector faces regulatory challenges with different players setting own standards. When compared to other recognised professions, such as psychology, which has global standards, security studies have yet to achieve professional status that is globally recognized. Learning is an ongoing process and training makes security personnel perform better. Training also boosts the morale of security personnel, raises the bar for the security profession, and increases the competitiveness of the sector. Thus, addressing the current and future challenges in teaching and learning security studies will strengthen the profession and uplift its status after 45 years of ambiguity as a subject matter. Keywords: training, cooperative partnerships, private security, law enforcement.