As the security industry continues to evolve with new technologies and market demands, sustainability is on the roster to transform from a buzzword into a business imperative. In celebration of World Sustainability Day, Securitas Technology shared how its approach to environmental and social responsibility is not only reshaping its own operations, but also setting an example for integrators and dealers across the industry.

For years, sustainability was treated as a compliance checkbox. Today, clients are asking their technology partners for proof of measurable environmental and social impact.

“Our quoting tools now include CO₂ emissions data for the security systems we offer, empowering clients to make informed, environmentally-conscious decisions,” Securitas Technology shared in a presentation for Sustainability Week. “Our smart technology-integrated systems optimize energy use based on occupancy, reducing waste and improving building efficiency. Through remote services and mobile credentials, we’re minimizing travel, reducing emissions, and enhancing convenience.”

This type of transparency represents a growing opportunity for dealers and integrators to add value and differentiate their services. Sustainability data can strengthen bids, enhance credibility with ESG-focused clients and streamline compliance with local or corporate environmental standards.

Pillars for a Sustainable Business

Securitas Technology’s sustainability strategy is built around three pillars: to decarbonize business by accelerating efficiency in operations and solutions, to develop people by empowering them to deliver exceptional service, and to demonstrate integrity by driving high ethical standards.

“We wanted to make sure that the central theme of the strategy focused on client and business value. In other words, taking an outside in and inside out perspective,” said Ashwin Kataria, senior vice president of performance excellence, Securitas Technology. “And we also needed to ensure that it was actionable and robust while being easy for people to understand.”

Last year, Securitas Technology embarked on a journey to update its sustainability strategy to better align with its core business strategy and focus on creating real value. The company’s original strategy was focused on six areas. “While all were important, it was somewhat fragmented and siloed, and organizationally somewhat unstructured,” said Kristi Keating, vice president of sustainability, Securitas Technology. “We wanted to create a strategy that was better integrated into the business.”

The three pillars are backed by 2030 goals: 42% reduction in emissions across Scopes 1, 2 and 3, empowering teams and upskilling people, and 95%+ effectiveness in compliance controls and 100% ethics promotion by leaders.

Culture Shift

Securitas Technology pinpoints emerging regulations and requirements and one of the factors driving sustainability across the organization. “That said, the critical component is that there is real passion and support for sustainability at the top of [the] organization, which truly sets the tone,” Kataria said.

Some of the biggest internal shifts Securitas Technology has made include embedding sustainability into strategic planning and decision making, building cross-functional ownership, focusing on education and engagement and aligning with client expectations.

For Securitas Technology, the responsibility of sustainability initiatives does not fall on one team; it’s integrated across functional teams spanning operations, sales and HR. “We’ve worked to build internal awareness so that our teams understand how sustainability connects to their roles and our mission,” Keating said. “Initiatives like embedding emissions data into our client proposals helps our clients meet their own ESG goals, which strengthens our partnerships and market relevance.”

These shifts have helped Securitas Technology move from sustainability as a side initiative to a core driver of how the company grows and serves.

The company also created a ‘People Promise’ designed to ensure every employee feels valued, supported and empowered to grow. “This People Promise directly supports the social dimension of sustainability, which focuses on human well-being, inclusion and community resilience,” Kataria said. “We believe that empowered employees drive engagement, innovation and operational excellence which certainly benefits our organization as a whole, but can also directly impact our sustainability agenda by fostering accountability and ownership, which are essential for driving accountability from the ground up.”

The company’s commitment to its team includes a technician certification program, an apprentice program, leadership and management development initiatives, and associate advisory councils.

“Investing in people through training, career development, and well-being programs builds a resilient workforce that can adapt to changing sustainability demands, regulations and technologies,” Kataria said. “It also helps attract and retain talent who are increasingly motivated by purpose-driven work.”

Balancing Tech & Sustainability

For an industry built on innovation, sustainability can be a driver of smarter technology adoption. “We recognize that not all innovation is inherently sustainable, and that our strategic partners are also on a journey and some are further along than others in creating sustainable solutions in electronic security,” Keating said. “The key is to have an open dialogue around how they are embedding sustainability into their technology roadmaps, so that every advancement moves us all closer to our goal of a safe and sustainable world.”

For integrators, this means selecting equipment and platforms that deliver both security performance and measurable environmental benefits — a balance that clients are increasingly expecting.

Securitas Technology’s approach to sustainable technology focuses on delivering smarter, lower impact solutions to clients. Keating and Kataria provided the following examples:

• Remote services and mobile credentials help minimize travel, reducing fuel usage and enhancing productivity.
• Cloud-based platforms reduce the need for on-premises infrastructure, lowering energy consumption and improving scalability.
• The team is working with partners to prioritize devices and systems that consume less power and have longer lifecycles.
• By designing solutions that can evolve over time, the team can reduce the need for full replacements and minimize electronic waste.

“We’re also encouraging our partners to embed circularity and transparency into their product design,” Keating said. “Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that the technology we deploy not only protects people and assets, but … contributes to a more sustainable future.”

Lessons for the Industry

As more end users look for partners who can help them meet ESG goals, and as advancements in technology raise environmental concerns, sustainability is becoming a clear differentiator in the security market. Securitas Technology’s Sustainability Week serves as a reminder that every integrator and dealer has a role to play not just in protecting people and property, but in building a more sustainable, resilient industry.

Securitas Technology’s sustainability strategy is built on the belief that sustainability is not a separate initiative; rather, it’s a strategic enabler. Keating and Kataria encourage their industry peers to glean the following from Securitas Technology’s journey:

• Leadership matters. “Embedding sustainability starts with visible, authentic support from the top. When leaders champion the cause, it becomes part of the culture — not just a compliance exercise,” Kataria said.
• Integration is essential. “Sustainability must be woven into core business processes — from procurement and operations to sales, HR and finance, every dimension,” Katariasaid.
• Data drives progress. “Understanding sustainability data helps to move from reactive reporting to proactive strategy and decision making,” Keating said.
• Client alignment creates value. “Our clients are on their own ESG journeys. By aligning our sustainability actions with what is important to our clients, we’re not just meeting expectations — we’re strengthening partnerships and unlocking new opportunities,” Keating concluded.