‘Be a part of history’. That’s the tagline for the latest research project spearheaded by the International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO) in collaboration with Perpetuity Research. As Peter Stiernstedt explains, the basic aim of that project is to more clearly define the role, responsibilities and duties of today’s security officers while also taking full account of the perceived complexities therein

[Read More]

By his own admission, working in the security sector for the last 25 years has been incredibly fulfilling for Paul Harvey, who continues to meet and engage with talented individuals in both the public and private sectors thanks to his new role at Ward Security. Here, he charts his career development path, outlining the need for continual learning and precisely why becoming a Chartered Security Professional is so important

[Read More]

Andy Beale seeks to impart some practical guidance on how security function management should perform, while at the same time providing advice on ways in which to ascertain whether or not a security company is a good employer. The security sector is somewhat broad in nature and that can make quality assessment a little more difficult, but it’s certainly not an impossible task

[Read More]

‘BE A part of history’. That’s the tagline for the latest research project spearheaded by the International Foundation for Protection Officers (IFPO) in collaboration with Perpetuity Research. As Peter Stiernstedt explains, the basic aim of that project is to more clearly define the roles, responsibilities and duties of today’s security officers while also taking full account of the perceived complexities therein.

[Read More]

MANUAL PROCESSES such as using spreadsheets to design run-sheets, passing paper run-sheets to drivers and crossing off the jobs by hand as they’re completed in the Control Room, could be costing security companies dear. Using technology to streamline these tasks can save hours each week in administration, enable firms to provide a better service to customers and keep members of staff happy. Paul Ridden explains how local and regional security businesses can make use of tech to improve many aspects of their operation.

[Read More]

The inaugural Security Matters webinar brought together a stellar line-up of industry professionals to discuss the desired progression and development for security guarding in the second half of 2020 and beyond, touching on several core issues. Brian Sims reports on the key outcomes

[Read More]

The pressures posed to the security industry since the advent of the Coronavirus pandemic have challenged service providers to ‘up their game’ in terms of operational resilience, while always having to maintain high levels of client and employee engagement. As an advocate of robust business continuity planning, Wilson James has reacted positively to this unprecedented situation. Gemma Quirke explains the company’s approach

[Read More]

The role of the security officer is changing to manage the ‘new normal’. Mike Bullock reviews how today’s officers are taking a leading role in the implementation of new technology and processes and enforcing social distancing measures to protect people from the silent threat of COVID-19

[Read More]

However much planning and preparation an organisation puts into its major incident and crisis management planning, it’s always a sign that control is being lost when the business is confronted by an actual event (be that a fire, flood, earthquake, IT failure or any other incident that causes employees to take their emergency response file off the shelf). David Rubens examines the global response to the COVID19 pandemic.

[Read More]

MANY BUSINESSES have been able to make the transition from on-site to remote working, but the time will come when the focus is back on the office environment. Alistair Enser outlines why security companies need to help their customers address the changes in their risk profiles and assist them to navigate the potential shift from cyber security threats to civil disturbance, for example, and from commercial theft to on-premises abuse or even violence.

[Read More]

PARTICIPATING IN a mentoring relationship can be greatly beneficial for an individual’s professional development, whether that be as a mentor or mentee. There’s a good deal to be gained from having a trusted mentor at all stages of the professional journey. Equally so, mentors can also grow and learn through a mentoring relationship. Here, in this exclusive thought leadership article for Security Matters, Angela Vernon-Lawson examines her own mentoring journey involving The Security Institute.

[Read More]

THE BRITISH Security Industry Association has been working tirelessly behind the scenes in a determined bid to underpin and embolden the private security industry in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other things, that work has involved lobbying Government in a bid to see security personnel recognised for what they are (and always have been): key workers. Mike Reddington offers a progress update.

[Read More]

THE CORONAVIRUS crisis has done more than any other event in memory to demonstrate the multi-faceted nature of modern security services. As Darren Read explains, members of dedicated security teams are also performing a crucial customer-facing role as greeters or receptionists, often providing those vital first impressions in clients’ buildings.

[Read More]

THE PRIME Minister recently announced the gradual relaxation of lockdown. Under what conditions do we ‘reboot’ the UK and move people back to work, while at the same time maintaining safety? How do we keep the Coronavirus infection rate under control, and what role can technology play in the fight against the virus? Alistair Enser offers his considered opinions.

[Read More]

SECURITY TEAMS at UK universities are playing a key role in the battle against COVID-19, dealing with fast-changing risks on a daily basis and, in parallel, planning for strategic challenges in the longer term. Some heads of security are already focusing their attentions on the next big question facing their institutions: how they’ll recover and rebuild after the lockdown. Security Matters reports on current thinking.

[Read More]

IN THESE extremely troubling times it has been truly inspirational to witness the efforts of organisations throughout the construction and security sectors in building the NHS Nightingale Hospital at London's ExCeL. As an integral part of this massive collaborative project, Wilson James has been using its extensive security and logistics expertise to help create a facility that will treat those seriously ill with Coronavirus. Security Matters reports.

[Read More]

With the security industry offering so much more than what is traditionally expected, close collaboration with the client ensures that both parties can get the most from the partnership, says Brendan Musgrove.

[Read More]

Powered gates and barriers are an increasingly important part of multi-faceted security systems used to protect car parks, delivery areas and private entrances, explains Graeme Hazlewood.

[Read More]