Counter-terrorism is dominating the news just now. Not only was it the subject of Advance Security’s recent London Breakfast Seminar, but it also provided a focus for Prime Minister David Cameron’s speech in Munich last weekend.
Tomorrow, there’s a debate on the Internet’s role in fostering extremism. It’s taking place at the University of Leicester, so if you can make it along feel free to do so.
Fraud is another ‘evil’ that continues to plague UK plc. A Legal & General report suggests nearly one third of Brits surveyed think it’s OK to commit fraud.
Speaking of fraud (and how to combat it by way of thorough security screening of staff), it’s good to see that the Office of Fair Trading has launched Scamnesty 2011 to alert innocent members of the public to all sorts of scams now being perpetrated against them.
Well done to Brooke Kinsella. The former EastEnders actress’ detailed report on knife crime has energised the Government to create an GB pound 18 million fund aimed at tackling this vile problem.
What’s happening in the guarding sector?
There’s plenty going on in the guarding world just now. The big news is that the Security Alliance has just issued a position paper on the future of security sector regulation here in the UK.
MITIE has published an extremely positive Interim Management Statement, while at the same time Scotia Security pleaded guilty to supplying unlicensed officers following a Security Industry Authority supported investigation.
Interestingly, in-depth studies of the Swedish security guarding market – held by many to be the exemplar business model – have firmly concluded that guarding and IT working in harmony can seriously benefit the client.
G4S Events has burst into 2011 by winning another award – so well done to all the team there, who’ll no doubt be smiling broadly.
Speaking of smiles, the deadline for the SMT Online/SAFE Security Smile Ambassador Award has been extended. Put your best personnel forward!
Justice reforms outlined by coalition Government
At the same time as the National Policing Improvement Agency’s CEO Nick Gargan outlined “intelligent ways” in which policing costs might be reduced in line with the Government’s wishes, Crispin Blunt has outlined a series of justice reforms.
Meantime, the coalition’s pledge of GB pound 30 million to help the most vulnerable victims of crime is very welcome indeed.
To avoid your members of staff from becoming the victims of crime when they’re abroad on business, check out the Boiling Frog app.
Along the same good governance lines, Nick Ball’s latest instalment of The CSR Chronicles is well worth a read.
Sticking with the educational theme, The Training Platform is a new, regular blog I’ve organised for SMT Online/I4S in conjunction with Perpetuity Training. It’s all about… training!
Crime mapping in the UK
We’ve had lots of interest in our story about the Home Office launching a new crime map, which allows the public to find out how many crimes are being committed in their postcode area.
Check out the explanatory video with comments from policing minister Nick Herbert, and then try the website out for size.
Jayne Diffin has written an excellent article on the best ways to build a secure password for the modern day enterprise.
In addition, ADT has issued a blueprint for successful university campus security in the UK, and a similarly strategic view on safeguarding hospitals.
Also in the systems world, EverFocus has launched some new HD CCTV solutions, the Integration Doctor examines that point where access control meets CCTV and CSL DualCom’s Simon Banks has continued the debate on IP alarm signalling energised by SMT Online.
SMT SELECT: register now for IFSEC 2011
My colleague at UBM Live, Rob Newton, has now set up the registration page for all SMT SELECT members who wish to visit IFSEC 2011 (which runs from 16-19 May at the NEC in Birmingham.
Please click the link on the right hand panel of this page and make sure you visit the best security exhibition and conference programme in the world!
Registration also includes free parking, access to the SMT SELECT lounge and complimentary refreshments.
SMT SELECT: your end user meeting place
Your opinions as to how we can best organise SMT SELECT events for you – and provide information in such a way that you derive the most useful and productive outcome from SMT SELECT membership – are extremely important.
If you could spare a few minutes of your precious time to send me any suggestions on what topic areas you’d like to see covered in future editions of this Newsletter (or at SMT SELECT IFSEC events) it would be greatly appreciated.
Don’t hesitate to contact SMT Online’s Editorial Desk… Call me direct on 020 7921 8286 or 07957 164351.
Alternatively, feel free to send an e-mail to either: [email protected] or [email protected]
Until next time…
Brian Sims
(Editor, Security Management Today Online and Group Content Editor of the UBM Live Protection and Management Division’s Security Portfolio)
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/smtonlineeditor
Read my blog: http://thesecuritylion.wordpress.com/
Date of next SMT SELECT News: Tuesday 22 February
