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Adam Bannister is a contributor to IFSEC Global, having been in the role of Editor from 2014 through to November 2019. Adam also had stints as a journalist at cybersecurity publication, The Daily Swig, and as Managing Editor at Dynamis Online Media Group.
Tavcom Training has launched a series of online training courses aimed at installers, system integrators, operators, security personnel and specifiers.
Called Bite-Size Training, the programme comprises 10 modules on topics such as how to reliably gather video evidence, a technical guide to fibre optics, intrusion detection devices, EAS (electronic article surveillance) and video analytics.
Students who complete modules will earn two CPD (Continuing Professional Development) points.
Tavcom Training, which also holds BTEC-certified, classroom-based courses, plans to extend the programme throughout 2014.
“Our online courses have proved incredibly popular. However, we offering something distinctly different with our Bite Size Training, the objective of which is to provide knowledge modules that address individual key issues,” said Paul Tennent, managing director of Tavcom.
“Priced from just £9.95 plus VAT each bite size module is totally focussed on a specific topical subject and, in an extremely easy-to-complete format, can fill what may be an important gap in a person’s knowledge. Participants will find that there is no heavy reading, but all they need to know is readily available.
“Each module will be produced with the assistance of our expert team of independent tutors and consultants.”
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Boeing Unveils High-Security Smartphone
Boeing has developed a phone that renders itself inoperable when tampered with.
Simply named ‘Black’, the device is part of a wave of high-security smartphones entering the market.
Boeing wants to give organisations “trusted access to data to accomplish their missions”. The hardware can also accommodate biometric sensors, satellite receivers or solar panels.
Better known for building aircraft, Boeing has acquired a number of companies specialising in mobile communications.
Boeing already provides secure communications to President Obama and other government officials.
In documents sent to the Federal Communications Commission the company said: “There are no serviceable parts on Boeing’s Black phone and any attempted servicing or replacing of parts would destroy the product.
“The Boeing Black phone is manufactured as a sealed device both with epoxy [a super-strong glue] around the casing and with screws, the heads of which are covered with tamper-proof covering to identify attempted disassembly.
“Any attempt to break open the casing of the device would trigger functions that would delete the data and software contained within the device and make the device inoperable.”
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Police Callout Figures Undermine Unemployment-Crime Link
Falling unemployment won’t necessarily presage a drop in crime, police callout figures from a major security company suggest.
Call-outs at each site using Farsight Security Services technology consistently numbered between one and two a year between 2011-2013 even as the unemployment rate steadily dropped.
The number of jobseeker’s allowance claimants fell by 27,600 in January to 1.22 million, the 15th consecutive monthly drop.
Disposable income and unemployment rates are often assumed to impact on crime rates though it remains a contentious area among sociologists and crime experts.
“It’s dangerous to assume that lowering unemployment means lower crime rates,” said Malcolm O’Shea-Barnes, Farsight’s senior operations manager. “There’s no real synergy between the two, as our call-out statistics for the past three years reflect.
“Security monitoring systems are often regarded as a grudge purchase but we see time and time again how our monitoring can save companies a small fortune through crime prevention. Three potential crimes have been averted this month and arrests made.”
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Tavcom Training Launches Bite-Size Online Modules Also in our news roundup: Boeing launches high-security smartphone and the link between unemployment and crime is disputed by police callout figures.
Adam Bannister
IFSEC Insider | Security and Fire News and Resources
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Thanks for the mention here Adam. It’s particularly prevalent with February being the shortest month of the year and it was still one of our busiest times with regards to arrest rates. We’re keen to keep looking at how this trend develops, but most importantly we want to raise the message that security is always a necessity.
Interesting bit about the Boeing smartphone too and an interesting move into mobile communications. Wonder what the phone looks like? Sounds a little heavy-duty!
Thanks for the mention here Adam. It’s particularly prevalent with February being the shortest month of the year and it was still one of our busiest times with regards to arrest rates. We’re keen to keep looking at how this trend develops, but most importantly we want to raise the message that security is always a necessity.
Interesting bit about the Boeing smartphone too and an interesting move into mobile communications. Wonder what the phone looks like? Sounds a little heavy-duty!