Tips, Tools & Tactics January 2026 Vol. 7

Security in 2026: What’s Changing? New Threats, New Expectations, New Skills

Welcome to 2026! As we head into a new year, we thought we’d take a look at the trends and changes guards can expect to face more of in the coming months. Granted, the changes have gradually been taking shape in recent years, and many of you are already experiencing an evolution beyond “observe and report.”

Some of the things you may have been tasked with handling include new technology, wearable tech like body cams, working with AI, and a strong focus on specialized training, continuing education, customer service, and risk management.

Ultimately, staying on top of trends will help to protect your job, improve safety, and may even open up new and exciting career paths that you would not have fathomed just a few short years ago.

This month’s newsletter will dive into security topics that are on everyone’s radar in 2026 and what skills you need to boost your professional value.

1.     Crisis Response Is Now a Core Skill

Security guards are often the first responders in a crisis. Training helps them act confidently and appropriately from the moment they arrive on the scene and is critical to minimizing risk for both the guard and the people involved in the crisis.

Dealing with mental health episodes, substance-related incidents, and neurodivergent behaviors requires specialized awareness to avoid harm. In these scenarios, de-escalation skills matter more than force, as they are often more effective in achieving better outcomes.

The goal is always to ensure the safety of all involved. While force may halt the behavior in the short term, de-escalation addresses the underlying situation and respects the individual as a human being.

Skills guards should practice in 2026 include the following:

• Verbal engagement
• Situational awareness
• Knowing when to disengage and escalate

On-Post Tip 
Active listening, empathy, and clear communication help to build trust and cooperation.

 

2.     AI, Cameras, and Sensors Don’t Replace Guards—They Raise the Bar

AI video monitoring, license plate readers, and access control are just a few of the ways technology supports guards on post. Rather than taking over a guard’s job, they act as another set of eyes, providing a new perspective and potentially picking up on behaviors that might otherwise go unnoticed.

What does this mean for guards?

·         They’ll receive more alerts, helping to focus their attention where it needs to be.

·         Response times will become shorter, potentially preventing unlawful behavior.

·         Guards will become more accountable for their actions as alerts and interactions become data points.

But human judgment still matters—a lot. Tech can record mistakes just as easily as it does good decisions. The human element is critical for providing context and helping them make the most appropriate response.

Ultimately, it’s about working with technology instead of fighting it. Being thoroughly trained on the relevant tools and understanding their limitations is key.

3.     If It’s Not Documented, It Didn’t Happen

More job sites today are requiring guards to wear body cameras, take detailed incident reports, and document timelines with meticulous accuracy throughout their shifts.

Good reporting protects guards from complaints and legal liability. With the combination of written reports and body cam audio and video, there will always be a record of what actually happened, and it will never be a case of he-said-she-said.

Documentation mistakes often occur because it’s easy to forget key details when they’re not recorded right away.

Common documentation mistakes include:

·         Incomplete details, such as timestamps, locations, people involved, witness information, and actions taken.

·         Reports that focus on opinions or speculation vs. the facts. Guards must be objective and avoid bias.

·         Vague or incomplete descriptions using unclear language or leaving statements open to interpretation.

·         Not obtaining witness statements or proper evidence supported by photos, videos, etc.

·         Including excessive, unnecessary detail can make the report challenging to navigate.

Every report should clearly answer these three things:

·         What happened? Be clear and objective, answering the “who, what, when, where, and how” of the incident before, during, and after the fact.

·         What actions were taken? Document the impact of the incident and detail the immediate response to demonstrate how the situation was handled.

·         What should be done to prevent future incidents of the same type? Outline contributing or causal factors and suggest strategies to prevent similar events from happening in the future.

 

4.     Small Mistakes = Big Consequences

Lawsuits involving private security are on the rise, making training and compliance more important than ever. Public tensions are at an all-time high, and any misstep can trigger a legal response, whether or not it results in injury or loss.

Proper training and policy compliance matter more than ever to avoid legal liability, mitigate risk, avoid regulatory scrutiny, and maintain public trust. As security guards are often the first people the public encounters when interacting with a physical premises, it is just as essential for the guard to uphold the client’s values as it is to protect their property.

Guards can unintentionally create risk in the following ways:

·         Using improper restraints, exceeding their legal use-of-force limits.

·         Escalation language that enflames a situation rather than de-escalates it.

·         Ignoring medical distress, such as not knowing what to do in an emergency or failing to provide life-saving assistance.

From a guard’s perspective, “doing it the way you were taught” matters a lot—especially in court. Proper training (and proof thereof) is essential to reduce liability, as it will be one of the first things you’ll be asked to provide in a legal case.

 

5.     The Guards Who Advance Aren’t Just the Toughest

Being a security guard isn’t just about being the tough-guy gatekeeper. In 2026, clients want guards who can communicate clearly, stay calm under pressure, and represent the brand professionally.

Guards that excel in these areas can look forward to better post assignments, pay increases, and promotions to supervisory roles, helping to pave the way for a satisfying career in security.

 

Career Tip:
If we had to choose one skill to start developing this month, it would have to be de-escalation. Core techniques involved here include active listening, empathy, self-regulation (staying cool in high-pressure situations), calm communication, and respecting personal space.

 

Staying Ready Is Staying Safe. The security industry is evolving fast. Guards who can adapt will not only stay safer but also better support their clients’ needs and be more employable.Training isn’t punishment—it’s protection! Continuous learning equals career stability and advancement. Stay sharp, stay trained, and stay safe out there.     

Browse Defencify’s self-directed training courses and get 2026 ready today!