Page 46 - Institute Quaterly 5 Final

Security Community
Institute Community

The Lessons from the

COVID-19 pandemic...

Thus far

By Robert Hall

Covid-19 has been a global shock that while anticipated in certain quarters was largely unforeseen in the scale, scope and speed of
disruption – not to mention the lives and livelihoods lost. On the positive side, the preparations for Brexit have helped to a small
degree with managing the pandemic e.g. increased stockpiling, and responses to the virus may help with dealing with aspects
of climate change e.g. shorter supply chains, as that threat barrels towards us with even greater long-term consequences for the
planet.

Also encouragingly, leaders in the pandemic have embraced Churchill’s evocation never to waste a good crisis and this has driven
rapid change. The call, with many variations, of ‘we have done in three months what would have taken five years’ exemplifies the
acceleration to find and implement new working patterns and technological solutions. These may have been on the cards already
but the virus has provided a catapult. One aspect is the speed of digital transformation: for example, John Lewis expects 70% of
long-term sales to be online against 30-40% pre-virus. Artificial intelligence is in daily use, analysing vast amounts of data to help
gain insights into customers and suppliers. Other tasks are also being automated in manufacturing, processing and logistics.

This is likely to result in fewer jobs in those and other sectors, with a corresponding need for new skills and training to help those
unemployed. The concept of portfolio careers is already recognised but the virus has given it a sharp nudge. Career choices will
be more fluid and professional development more varied. The traditional paths into professions like security will probably require
revision. People can expect to have to retrain throughout their working life. The idea of ‘skills fade’ will also raise its head for those
who have been furloughed or unemployed for several months: this will be particularly important in highly skilled appointments.
In addition, teaching in schools and colleges on resilience, whether personal or professional, will be important to help youngsters
prepare for a turbulent future.