Integrated Guarding has reshaped how organizations help protect people, property, and assets by combining on-site officers, mobile patrols, and remote guarding into a unified program. As risks evolve and client expectations shift, hybrid guarding models are becoming the backbone of modern security strategies. They can offer the scalability, visibility, and flexibility organizations need to operate confidently across multiple sites and changing environments.
In this blog, we explore where integrated guarding is headed with insights from Tommy Zarna, Mobile Region President at Securitas USA, who shares how the balance between people, technology, and intelligence helping strengthen security programs for the next decade.
Integrated guarding: a smarter way to protect what matters
Integrated Guarding combines on-site, mobile, and remote guarding into a connected security program that can adapt to diverse environments, risk levels, and operational needs.
The rise of hybrid models has been driven by a combination of factors clients face today: pressure to manage costs without compromising quality, a need to secure larger or more complex footprints, and a desire for more visibility into what’s happening across their operations. As Tommy explains, clients have shifted dramatically in how they think about security:
“Over the past decade, clients have shifted from thinking about security as a guard at a post to seeing it as a connected program... Clients have moved from simplifying staffing posts to building connected programs that give them more flexibility, visibility, and control.”
This shift has pushed organizations to rethink traditional, fixed-post security and move toward dynamic models that blend people and technology in more efficient, responsive ways.
The rise of hybrid guarding models
A significant evolution in recent years is how clients expect security to adjust and scale, not remain static. Tommy notes, “Clients have shifted from thinking about security as a guard at a post to seeing it as a connected program. They expect more flexibility, more visibility, and a model that can adjust as their operations grow or risks change.”
That expectation accelerated the adoption of hybrid guarding. According to Tommy, this change wasn’t sudden but became clear as risks diversified, operations expanded, and technological advancements made remote services more powerful.
“Hybrid guarding models really started to become the new standard when clients began looking for more adaptable and efficient ways to manage security across multiple sites.”
Organizations discovered that combining on-site officers with mobile patrols and remote guarding didn’t just help strengthen their coverage; it reshaped the entire security experience. Each service fills a distinct role, and together they help create a layered, high-performing program.
As Tommy puts it, “Clients saw that combining these layers gave them stronger protection, better visibility, and the ability to scale without rebuilding their entire program. That shift is what pushed hybrid models from a nice option to the expectation.”
Why flexibility and data are reshaping guarding models
The most effective guarding strategies today are built using data. Activity patterns, incident trends, threat hotspots, and operational workflows can determine whether a site needs a physical presence, periodic patrols, or continuous remote oversight.
“Data and intelligence help us understand what each site truly needs,” Tommy explains. Instead of a one-size-fits-all model, Securitas USA can tailor its service blend for maximum impact. “Using data helps us build a program that’s tailored, efficient, and able to adjust as conditions change. It helps us see that every layer of security has a purpose and is placed where it can deliver the most value.”
This data-driven approach is essential in multi-site or multi-building environments. Tommy shared an example from a large corporate campus that needed comprehensive coverage across buildings, parking lots, and off-hour spaces. On-site officers managed daily tasks and front-facing roles, while mobile patrols maintained daytime visibility, and remote teams provided after-hours monitoring and coordinated responses.
This combination helped deliver “seamless 24/7 coverage, faster response times, and better situational awareness,” Tommy says, without overextending on-site staffing.
Human expertise and technology
AI, automation, and connected devices amplify what officers can do, but they don’t replace human expertise. Tommy emphasizes, “Even as AI and automation become more advanced, human judgment remains central to security.”
Security officers interpret context, read situations, interact with people, and make decisions in ways that technology simply cannot. Instead, technology serves as a support system, giving officers better visibility, faster communication, and real-time access to information.
Mobile teams and on-site officers now work together with remote operators who verify incidents, monitor video feeds, and support responses. Tools like mobile reporting platforms help officers stay connected, informed, and consistent across shifts and locations.
“These tools do not replace officers; they amplify their capabilities and help every team member operate confidently, consistently, and safely.”
Training and alignment: the foundation of hybrid guarding
For hybrid programs to perform well, every team (on-site services, mobile patrols, and remote guarding) must operate as one unified force. Securitas USA achieves this through training that emphasizes communication, situational awareness, and coordinated response.
“Teams learn how to work seamlessly with on-site colleagues and remote monitoring staff, understand how to leverage technology, and respond quickly to incidents across multiple sites,” Tommy shares.
Leadership plays a major role here. Innovation doesn’t come from technology alone; it comes from empowering people to use it well, collaborate effectively, and stay aligned on goals.
“Driving innovation in integrated guarding comes down to fostering collaboration, encouraging adaptability, and focusing on the client experience.” Clear protocols, shared goals, and integrated systems help keep teams aligned so that clients can receive consistent, reliable service.
What will shape the next decade of hybrid guarding
The next decade of hybrid security will bring rapid change, as well as new opportunities. Hybrid programs will continue to evolve as risks become more complex, and organizations demand more flexible, scalable coverage.
“Guarding models will be shaped by evolving risks, technology, and client expectations,” Tommy says. Hybrid programs will be valued for their ability to scale quickly across large areas, adjust to new threats, and leverage technology without sacrificing the human judgment that security depends on.
Clients are also seeking greater transparency and value. They expect transparent reporting, smarter resource deployment, and the ability to make changes quickly.
“Clients today expect security programs to be flexible, transparent, and can deliver real value.”
Securitas USA is meeting those expectations by continuing to invest in tools, training, and integrated operating models that help keep teams connected and clients informed. The focus is on building programs that are “smarter, more responsive, and able to evolve as both risks and business needs change.”
Building a future-ready security strategy
Integrated guarding is a modern, adaptable approach that aligns people, technology, and intelligence into one cohesive strategy. It helps organizations scale coverage, gain insight to make better decisions, and stay ahead of emerging risks.
Explore how a hybrid guarding strategy can help your organization strengthen protection while adapting to tomorrow’s challenges.
