Emprise Services plc, one of the UK’s leading support services providers, has announced its agreement to sponsor The Security Research Initiative 2011 study into excellence in security.
The research – conducted by the Perpetuity Group and supported by the BSIA, ASIS and The Security Institute – will focus on what makes security companies and security functions ‘excellent’.
It will explore what’s deemed to be excellence, what the larger providers already do and, just as important, what they need to do in the future to advance the profession and provide excellent service to clients and end users.
The Security Research Initiative is an ongoing programme of research designed to develop new insights into security practice. Each year a separate study is undertaken, but the topics are interrelated.
To date, six influential papers have been released on completed studies. The combined findings successfully build a strong, clear and holistic perspective of the key challenges of the sector, equipping the industry and its practitioners with powerful insights and practical guidance as to how they might get the best out of the security function.
Three-year sponsorship agreement
Emprise Services has signed up for a three-year sponsorship of The Security Research Initiative, which is led by Professor Martin Gill (director of Perpetuity).
The aim of this particular study is to provide a more informed base for understanding what the priorities for regulation should be. The first year project will be a definitive study on understanding excellence. Questions the research will be asking are:
In light of all that is impacting the industry – recession, consolidation, the demise of the SIA, clients demanding more for less – Emprise and the SRI believe it’s timely to focus on how the sector should and could respond.
Indeed, he SRI has confirmed some of its members have already suggested that such a study is urgent.
What value does security bring to the organisation?
“Much is said in the industry about the perceived value that security provides to an organisation,” explained Professor Gill, “yet it remains the case that many companies do not see security as strategic or even important. They view it as more of an unwelcome burden or ‘grudge purchase’.”
Professor Gill continued: “The SRI generates insights that provide a more informed environment in which the professionalisation of security can take place. We’re going to look at what makes security companies and security functions excellent. This will be a first for security.”
The study will interview clients, experts around the industry, representative associations and special interest groups to identify the best ways of developing security in Britain by learning from those who do it best.
In the security world, some companies are committed to developing good practice and new insights. In The Security Research Initiative, top companies and the leading associations come together to engage in an annual study designed to produce new understandings and Best Practice.
Companies that believe in innovation
Professor Gill concluded: “I’m delighted Emprise has agreed to join The SRI which is supported by companies that believe in innovation. This sort of project requires the commitment of those who believe in security and believe there is always an opportunity to reach new understandings and develop better working practices. I look forward to working with the Emprise team in the years ahead.”
Paul Harvey, the operations director at Emrpise responsible for the company’s security division, commented: “We’re delighted to be a part of The Security Research Initiative and to be able to demonstrate Emprise’s commitment to excellence in this way. The SRI is a fantastic research body dedicated to furthering our industry through greater knowledge and professionalism. We’re pleased to support this important initiative.”
For further information on The Security Research Initiative and Emprise Services access the web links provided on the right hand panel of this page
