Earlier this month, we welcomed security experts and industry leaders from across the UK to Corps Security’s 2026 Innovation Day at The National Archives in Richmond, Greater London.

The historic landmark holds over 1,000 years of heritage, including elements of Corps Security’s own past, so it was the perfect reminder that, in order to innovate, we must reflect on how far security has come and the impact that our officers have had throughout our 167-year history.

Sharing knowledge

Mike Bullock, CEO of Corps Security, opened the day with a powerful reminder: “Value isn’t what you know, it’s what you share”. That principle guided the day, bringing together installers, security experts, and innovative solutions that will shape the future of security and monitoring capabilities.

Paul Lotter, Managing Director at Corps Security, spoke about our social value achievements this year. We became a Living Wage Employer in 2019, and today over 95 per cent of Corps colleagues earn the Living Wage. We also ranked in the top seven per cent of security companies globally with our EcoVadis Silver status. Innovation is driving change across Corps, but we remain a people-first business and take pride in meeting sustainability goals that protect both our teams and the environment.

Andrea Strong, Innovation Lead and Managing Director at Corps Monitoring, spoke about its successes this year. The team is ISO accredited for data handling and storage, and stringent bi-annual audits ensure compliance for customers. Andrea also leads Corps’ innovation steering committee, which brings together leaders across the business to discuss where technology can address customer and partner needs. In an advancing threat landscape, resilience and collaboration are what can truly support our colleagues and customers.

Neil Shanks, Director at Corps Intel, discussed our newly launched intelligence services. Corps Intel offers services from weekly intelligence reports to bespoke threat alerts and dedicated analysts. Corps Intel can be combined with Corps’ security guarding, and Corps Monitoring’s state-of-the-art monitoring to provide effective people and asset protection for organisations. Intelligence is more than just giving clients a rundown of threats, he explained; it must answer the “so what?” and deliver actionable guidance.

Innovation on show

RISK was up first to demonstrate its modular metal detector arches. These portable structures can be set up in under five minutes and have already been deployed in schools, embassies, and sporting events to help detect metal objects down to the size of a pound coin.

PPSS Group introduced its lightweight stab vests. Weighing in at 1.5kg, the vests are ISO-accredited for knife, spike and blunt force protection with zero penetration. This demonstration – a blunt-force test with a baseball bat – highlighted how protective gear complements security and ensures that operatives can act safely when alarms are triggered.

Beespace then took the stage to showcase its security sensors. They use LoRaWAN, wide-area networking, to perform checks of areas of 80-90m that save security personnel from performing site-wide checks of low-use areas. The sensors also integrate with an AI facilities manager that automates patrol reports and allows monitoring teams to focus resources when they’re needed most.

Finally, Security Drone Group demonstrated its fully-automated drones, able to operate up to 3km from their docking stations. The drones can be integrated with a monitoring centre, identifying intruders with thermal imaging and AI-powered smart tracking. Operatives can also deliver live audio warnings from the drones to intruders.

Ethical considerations and technology

Mike Reddington, CEO of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), highlighted the need for ethical facial recognition frameworks. When draft bills threatened an outright ban, the BSIA published the first legal and ethical guide to facial recognition technology in 2021. “How do you open your phone or use passport gates?” Mike asked, arguing that there is already social acceptance but that we need transparent governance.

A panel discussion then explored robotics and emerging tech. Aron Kisdi from Autodiscovery explained how robotics remove people from harm while humans operate remotely, guided by real-time data such as camera footage and location services. He commented that regulations need to catch up, and affordability remains key for early adopters.

PanicGuard’s domestic violence response devices were also discussed. They can trigger police arrival in under eight minutes and are able to gather video evidence for court. This, coupled with Mike Reddington’s insight on facial recognition, showcased a future of advanced solutions designed to protect the general public, as well as private sites.

Foolproof measures

Comprehensive site security means addressing the details people often overlook, like secure key storage and mail handling. Our partner installers displayed their products and demonstrated how failing to address the basics alongside innovation can threaten the safety of a site.

Loxal Security Ltd. presented its secure locks with up to 15-minute attack resistance and daily code generation. Parcel Tracker showcased its mail management software that helps organisations track, log and securely hand over deliveries. Radiocoms Systems Ltd. demonstrated cellular network devices that integrate with fire alarms and CCTV to improve monitoring services.

There were other advanced solutions showcased such as AiLert, software that detects weapons via cameras and connects to monitoring systems, and Aura UK’s keyholder services that use algorithms to identify and communicate with the officer closest to a reported incident in just six seconds.

Having a well-connected monitoring and response team ensures that sites and operatives remain safe, while enabling swift, coordinated action during incidents.

The future of innovation

Security innovation means more than staying steps ahead of advanced threats. Industry experts must consider where technology can be best integrated with current roles, and which areas need new capabilities to adapt to the increasingly complex threat landscape. Our monitoring centre leverages advanced technology, but it is our operatives, who answered 14,000 calls and handled 242,000 alarms in January alone, who make the final decisions.

Sharing knowledge ensures the industry benefits collectively, and by remaining agile, monitoring teams can protect partner sites and the public alike. Hosting Innovation Day at The National Archives reinforced the collaborative spirit that drives our sector forward.

If you are interested in learning more about Corps Security, Corps Monitoring, or Corps Intel, please get in touch with our team.