Nineteen Group launches International Security Week virtual event for security business sector

Incorporating International Security Expo, International Cyber Expo and International Disaster Response Expo, International Security Week will deliver a wealth of information during a series of exclusive, free-to-watch online sessions that elevate the event beyond the typical slide presentation and webcam format witnessed at most virtual conferences.

Filmed in a television studio setting with high production values, leading experts from around the globe will be interviewed by veteran security and intelligence-focused journalist Philip Ingram MBE during high-level interactive panel discussions and a series of ‘fireside chats’.

In the UK alone, funding for counter-terrorism policing will grow to £906 million for 2020-2021. That represents a £90 million year-on-year increase. With this in mind, International Security Week offers viewers a chance to hear a host of different perspectives on the challenges being faced by nations and businesses operating across both the public and private sectors, as well as those affected first-hand by terrorism.

Opened on each day by International Security Week chair Admiral Lord West of Spithead GCB DSC PC, the week will be split into four key sections available to watch live or on demand via the dedicated International Security Week website. Importantly, International Security Week is certified for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) by The Security Institute so attendees will receive CPD points for every session watched.

Day One: International Matters

While COVID-19 has impacted the public’s ability to move around freely, both internationally and within individual countries, aviation security and tackling transnational organised crime remains a high priority for the security sector.

The inaugural day of International Security Week is sponsored by HS Security, a group of companies specialising in advanced physical security solutions and engineering developed to protect people and property around the world.

Starting the week with a ‘State of the Nation’-style presentation will be Lucy D’Orsi (Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Specialist Operations at Counter-Terrorism Policing UK) on the current threats posed to the UK, such as Islamist terrorism and the rise of far-right extremists.

Attendees will then hear from a panel of those working to protect the public in the UK and abroad, including Paul Crowther (Chief Constable at British Transport Police), Dr John Coyne, head of strategic policing and law enforcement at the ASPI), Barry Palmer (head of safety and security at Tate Modern) and Fay Tennet (deputy director of security operations at the Parliamentary Security Department for the Houses of Parliament).

Other contributors include Shaun Hipgrave (senior Home Office official) and Figen Murray, whose son Martyn Hett was tragically killed in the 2017 Manchester terror attacks.

There will be discussion around the ‘Protect Duty’, which aims to provide UK citizens with better protection from terrorism, as well as an exclusive session with Aimen Dean, former member of al-Qaeda turned MI6 spy, who will discuss how Islamic-based terrorism is developing and what the security sector should look out for in attempting to prevent it.

Day Two: Cyber Threats

With the average cost of cyber crime increasing by 32% for businesses in 2019, the ever-evolving threat of cyber hacks and data leaks must be understood by the cyber security industry. Day Two of International Security Week covers cyber security in detail and is sponsored by Tripwire, a specialist in the arena of establishing a strong cyber security foundation and protecting the integrity of mission-critical systems spanning the physical, virtual, cloud and DevOps environments.

In a not-to-be-missed session, Philip Ingram and Anthony Leather (o-founder and director of Westlands Advisory) will discuss the consultancy’s latest cyber research that’s scheduled to launch exclusively during International Security Week and encompasses the very latest data on key industry trends, technology and market growth.

Complementing discussion around the report’s findings, Emma Philpot (CEO of the IASME Consortium), Graham Ingram (CISO at Oxford University), Dr Henry Pearson (UK Cyber Security Ambassador at the Department for International Trade) and cryptographic expert Ian Thornton-Trump of Cyjax will discuss current and future trends affecting cyber security, including the ongoing impact of COVID-19.

Exploring the ‘human factor’ in cyber terrorism will be Jenny Radcliffe, also known as ‘The People Hacker’, with Tracy Buckingham (deputy director of security and cyber security exports at the Department for International Trade presenting her ‘bounce back’ plan for the UK’s security and cyber exports. Those looking to protect themselves or their organisation from cyber crime should attend the training session provided by Cyber Griffin, the scheme founded by the City of London Police.

Day Three: Law and Order

In an unstable economic climate, there’s arguably nothing more important than avoiding disruption to Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). During International Security Week, a panel of experts from a number of CNI sectors will join forces to explain their role in protecting nations’ assets through policy and implementation, as well as discussing the wider cyber perspective.

Those practitioners involved include Chris Fitzgerald (head of business resilience and security at Thames Water), Justin Lowe (an industry leader in the sphere of cyber resilience for energy, the utilities and critical infrastructures), Andrew Sieradzki (director of security at Buro Happold), Dan Webb (director of intelligence for Mitie) and Jonathan Schulten (vice-chair of The Security Institute).

Senior Home Office official Angela Essel is going to be outlining the projects and priorities of the Government and how the wider security industry can assist in tackling key issues.

Addressing the challenges for the UK’s intelligence sharing operations as a result of Brexit will be Ian Dyson (Commissioner for the City of London Police). In addition, executive director Claudia Sturt from Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service will examine the internal and external threats posed to the nation’s prison estate.

As the nature of crime changes so does law enforcement. Roy McComb (former deputy director of the National Crime Agency) and Julian Platt (deputy national co-ordinator of Protect and Prepare for national Counter-Terrorism Policing) will look at how criminals have adapted to the pandemic in their bid to continue running international networks and people trafficking operations.

Day Four: Disaster Response

Averting a crisis is the highest priority for security professionals, but when disaster occurs it’s vital to be prepared. On the final day of International Security Week 2020, Anne-Marie Trevelyan (MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed and former Minister for International Development) will give the Keynote Speech.

This is to be followed by a presentation from Tracy Daszkiewicz (deputy director of population health and well-being at Public Health England) who will explain how to manage a crisis based on her own real life experience with the Salisbury poisonings.

Viewers can also enjoy a ‘fireside chat’ about disaster communications between journalist Paul Peachey at The National and the founder of PR agency Conduit Associates, namely Sheena Thomson.

Closing the week will be Jason Towse (managing director of security and soft services at Mitie) looking at how the UK Government responded to the COVID-19 crisis, building a 3,000-bed hospital in ten days and opening Nightingale Hospital facilities right across the country.

Speaking about the forthcoming International Security Week, event director Rachael Shattock informed Security Matters: “International Security Week comes at an important time for many security, counter-terrorism and disaster response professionals. We continue to live in uncertain and unprecedented times, but the threats remain. It’s vital that nations and businesses continue to evolve their security to protect citizens and employees.”

Shattock added: “We’re truly delighted to be able to bring the high-quality content and thought leadership that International Security Expo portfolio visitors have come to expect direct to people’s homes from 30 November until 3 December. While we would all prefer to be meeting face-to-face and connecting with colleagues around the world, we’re excited for attendees to experience the high-level style of production and the studio setting we’ve organised for the panel discussions wherein we’ll cover the latest insights and future trends in physical and cyber security.”

*Register for International Security Week 2020 at https://www.internationalsecurityexpo.com/register-for-international-security-week

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