Security training

Tavcom Training, part of Linx International Group, the globally renowned provider of accredited security systems training courses, has announced the launch of the first in a series of virtual classroom training courses added to its classroom training portfolio, starting with two fundamental courses, Intruder Alarm System Design BTEC Level 3 and CCTV System Design and Planning BTEC Level 3. Virtual classroom training courses Delivered via Zoom through online interactive lectures and workshops and guided by the same expert instructors as the classroom courses, learners will have the chance to gain an accredited certification in a live environment, without having to travel. We understand a lot of our learners come to us for the high standard or training we deliver here at Tavcom" Andrew Saywell, Business Development Manager for Tavcom Training said, “We understand a lot of our learners come to us for the high standard or training we deliver here at Tavcom, and we wanted to find a way to provide that high standard of classroom learning to the many who are not able to travel.” He adds, “Our new virtual classroom courses are a crucial solution to this. Delivered by and in partnership with our lead tutors, they are fully interactive and designed to provide professionals with the necessary skills required to carry out the key elements of their job role.” Enhancing accessibility to Tavcom Training courses Andrew continues, “The launch of our accredited virtual training courses is just one in a series of latest developments that we are implementing in order to increase the accessibility of Tavcom Training courses to learners globally. Now more than ever it is easier to gain a worldwide recognised qualification.” Not only will learners interact with the class and ask questions as they would in a classroom, but they can expect to receive all the typical benefits of traditional face-to-face training including full tutor support, training resources, and protected soft copies of the learning material distributed prior to course commencement. Intruder Alarm System Design BTEC Level 3 course Intruder Alarm System Design BTEC Level 3 training course is the first course in Tavcom Training’s classroom training portfolio to be delivered virtually. It is an essential course for technical specifiers, sales engineers and consultants, who wish to work lawfully within the new legislative guidelines and to determine the risk assessment of each installation. Learners who opt for the course will be taught the skills required to carry out risk assessments and surveys, in accordance with the current British and European standards and in combination with design and planning exercises that will introduce all the necessary new grading requirements. Intruder Alarm System Design is scheduled to take place virtually from the 15th - 17th February 2021 and will cover the following core topics: Completing security risk assessments, An overview of detection devices, Control and indicating equipment, Signalling devices and considerations, Planning and design of systems, European Standards explained, Insurance requirements, Alarm verification techniques, Equipment grading criteria, Producing system proposals, Practical site surveys. Learners can expect to undertake focused morning and afternoon classroom sessions, intersected with project work that requires a level of independent research.  CCTV (VSS) System Design and Planning BTEC Level 3 course The other training program on offer is the CCTV (VSS) System Design and Planning BTEC Level 3 course Along with this, the other training program on offer is the CCTV (VSS) System Design and Planning BTEC Level 3 course. This training course is specially offered for all those who have the task of designing and planning small or large CCTV systems, while ensuring compliance with the latest international standards. This training course will provide learners with the experience and knowledge required to offer solutions to a variety of client’s CCTV requirements. The course will be of particular interest to technical specifiers, security consultants, sales personnel and CCTV system project managers. The CCTV System Design and Planning course is scheduled to take place virtually from the 15th - 18th March 2021. Throughout the duration of the training course, learners can expect to cover the following core topics: Overview of CCTV technologies and products, Developing an operational requirement, Risk assessment and site surveys, CCTV system design and product selection, Effective lighting for CCTV applications, Legislation, industry standards and codes of practice, System planning – costing, installation, commissioning, maintenance, System documentation – specification, drawings, commissioning and handover, Writing the system proposal, The Tender Process – pre/post tender meetings and presentations. Live virtual classrooms Delivery in a live virtual classroom has many of the benefits of face-to-face learning" Kevin Matthew, Operations Director for Tavcom Training, said “Delivery in a live virtual classroom has many of the benefits of face-to-face learning, without the inconvenience of travel. This is a very important consideration for those whose need for accredited, quality training hasn’t changed, but their ability to join a classroom course has.” He adds, “Learners will participate in the same way that they would in the classroom, with interaction with each other and the qualified course tutor, as well as receiving the high standard of learning and support associated with Tavcom Training.” Formal CPD points awarded on course completion Kevin continues, “This is just the start of a series of virtual classroom courses we are looking to develop in order to meet the changing needs of our professionals and is something we’re very proud of here at Tavcom Training.” Prices for the Tavcom training courses start from £395 (excl. VAT), which includes a formal BTEC accreditation. Upon completion of the course, learners will also receive formal CPD points (Continuing Professional Development), which count towards their continued professional development within the sector.

Heald Ltd., a global innovator in the field of perimeter security technology and one of the major manufacturers of quality security equipment in the United Kingdom, has announced a new partnership agreement with university technical college, Ron Dearing UTC. Since being founded over 30 years ago, the Hornsea-based manufacturer has worked closely with various educational institutions including Hornsea School and Language College, Humberside Engineering Training Association, Beverley College, Hull Training and the University of Hull by providing career insight talks, work experience opportunities, apprenticeships and ongoing learning for their existing employees. Heald - Ron Dearing UTC partnership This new partnership with Hull-based Ron Dearing UTC will provide new opportunities for students to undertake internships and work experience placements with Heald with the potential for longer-term employment opportunities. With many different engineering disciplines within the company, Heald hopes to help guide learning at Ron Dearing UTC to include their specific engineering requirements, which will enable new employees to progress much quicker into full-time employment from apprenticeships or trainee levels, there by benefitting both the individual’s career progression and the business offering. Glenn Jensen, Senior Assistant Principal for Employer Engagement and Head of Engineering at Ron Dearing UTC said “It’s a great credit to Heald that, during such difficult times, they continue to see the importance of investing in their future employees.” Bridging skills gaps in the engineering and digital sectors Having this new partnership helps us to continue to bridge skills gaps in the engineering and digital sectors" Glenn adds, “It’s invaluable for us to have realistic client briefs when working on projects linked to industry and these play a key role in expanding our students’ skill sets. Having this new partnership helps us to continue to bridge skills gaps in the engineering and digital sectors.” Managing Director of Heald Ltd., Debbie Heald MBE said, “I only recently became aware of Ron Dearing UTC, but after discovering more about what they do and their approach to learning, it seemed a natural fit.” Facilitating students engagement with employers Debbie adds, “With education settings and student’s learning facing significant disruption in recent months, engaging with local schools, colleges and universities is vital to ensure students are able to access meaningful engagement with employers.” She further stated, “In turn, this not only helps them to decide on what they wish to do post-education but it also helps them to transition into their chosen career path, and as a result, can be an excellent recruitment pipeline for those businesses who do engage. We’re very excited about our new partnership with Ron Dearing UTC and we’re looking forward to working with local individuals who are passionate about engineering in every field.”

Exabeam, the security analytics and automation company, announced a partnership with Snowflake, the Data Cloud company, to augment Snowflake data lakes with Exabeam security analytics and automation. The partnership enables organisations to identify risks and respond swiftly to incidents across their entire business ecosystem. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital transformation, expediting the move to the cloud and increasing demand for improved productivity and efficacy through automation. Organisations can now quickly move data and security to the cloud by migrating to Snowflake Data Cloud and Exabeam SaaS Cloud. Automating workflow Security teams can quickly detect, investigate and respond to complex threats with the help of analytics and automation skills By adding the analytics and automation capabilities of Exabeam to the data stored within Snowflake, security teams can quickly and efficiently detect, investigate and respond to complex threats. The combination of both solutions advances an organisation’s security posture by automating the entire workflow from data collection through response, enabling fast and consistent outcomes. Cloud-based security analytics “With demand for cloud technology surging amid the shift to remote working, we proudly welcome Snowflake to our partner network,” said Adam Geller, Chief Product Officer, Exabeam. “Using the combination of the Exabeam Cloud Connector for Snowflake with Exabeam Advanced Analytics, joint customers can easily apply intelligence and automation capabilities to their data stored within Snowflake's platform. This addresses the increasing market need for cloud-based security analytics on third-party logs sent to Snowflake.” Identifying cyberthreats “Security data continues to grow in size and complexity, and a fragmented architecture keeps many organisations struggling to mobilise it for protecting the enterprise,” said Omer Singer, Head of Cybersecurity Strategy at Snowflake. “Snowflake’s unique architecture eliminates data silos, providing organisations a single scalable and cost-effective platform for all their data, while Exabeam’s security analytics adds intelligence and automation to strengthen an organisation’s ability to identify and respond to cyberthreats across subsidiaries, geographies and public cloud providers.” Case study In 2020, several large-scale corporate data breaches centered around compromised credentials of cloud-based data stores. In one example, more than 5 million guests of Marriott hotels were impacted when cybercriminals stole the login credentials of Marriott employees, likely through phishing or credential stuffing. The information was then used to siphon personal customer details such as birth dates, contact information, as well as hotel and airline loyalty program accounts. Technical integration Exabeam provides real-time mapping of logs stored within Snowflake and attributes all activity and behaviour to users and devices Combining Exabeam’s security analytics with Snowflake’s data platform can provide protection against credential-based attacks, including insider threats. The technical integration between the Exabeam SaaS Cloud and Snowflake Data Cloud is done through the new Exabeam Cloud Connector for Snowflake, which allows for easy ingestion of data stored in Snowflake. Exabeam provides continuous, real-time mapping of logs stored within Snowflake and attributes all activity and behaviour to users and devices. This attribution, with additional data and context, provides visibility into abnormal or risky activity to detect malicious insiders or attacks involving compromised credentials. As a new addition to the 40-plus existing Exabeam Cloud Connectors, the Cloud Connector for Snowflake also allows for monitoring of Snowflake audit logs in Exabeam Advanced Analytics to detect anomalous account behaviours within the application itself. Assisting security operations “The proliferation of data is central to all businesses, and so is the need to guard against malicious attacks – especially now, as enterprises rely so heavily on data clouds like Snowflake,” added Chris Stewart, Senior Director, Business Development for Exabeam.  “This partnership advances our mission to assist security operations teams in quickly detecting, investigating and responding to incidents throughout the enterprise.”

ASIS International, the association for security management professionals, announces that since the launch of the program in November 2020, the ASIS Foundation has awarded more than 120 COVID-19 support grants to its global membership. This is a major component of the association’s efforts to address the global economic climate and those security communities hit hardest by the pandemic. The ASIS Foundation Board of Trustees approved $100,000 in grants to be awarded to ASIS members in need, encouraging individuals who had been financially impacted by the pandemic to apply for a grant to renew their ASIS membership free of charge or to receive a complimentary online certification study program. Facing unprecedented challenges Grant applications are reviewed by ASIS staff and all application materials remain confidential This program will continue through March 2021. Grant applications are reviewed by ASIS staff and all application materials remain confidential. “Giving back to the security community is what the ASIS Foundation does best,” said Brian Allen, CPP, Chair, ASIS Foundation Board of Trustees. “We recognise that security professionals around the world have faced unprecedented challenges and need support. I thank my fellow ASIS Foundation board members for their agility in addressing the challenges faced by our members throughout the world.” Highlights from the program thus far include: 124 grants awarded to date, to recipients in 27 countries 76% of grants received were used for the renewal of ASIS membership 50% of grant recipients are located outside of the United States 24% of grants received were used for certification review courses Higher medical bills Recipients’ stories range from those who got COVID-19 themselves and now face high medical bills, to those who have endured pay cuts up to even 50 percent, those who have been furloughed for a month or more, or those who have lost their jobs all together. Applicants come from a variety of positions—from front-line to senior level and business owners. Many worked in event security, hotels, airlines, and other industries that have been very hard-hit by the pandemic. “This is a great example of ASIS leaving no security professional behind during these challenging times,” stated John Petruzzi, Jr, CPP, President, ASIS International. “On behalf of our members in 158 countries, I would like to thank the leadership of the ASIS Foundation for their support of our global network of security professionals.”

Allied Universal, a renowned security and facility services company in North America, announces the reappointment of Caress Kennedy to the New York board supporting the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which is part of the U.S. Department of Labour. The Board, in partnership with the Mayor, provides overall policy guidance and oversight on the implementation of WIOA in New York City. A member since 2014, Kennedy was reappointed to the board for the remainder of WIOA’s three-year term. Public workforce system “I am very excited to be reappointed as part of the executive committee of WIOA in New York City and look forward to working with fellow members to strengthen and improve the city’s public workforce system and help get New Yorkers, including youth and those with significant barriers to employment, into high-quality jobs and careers,” said Kennedy, Regional President, Northeast Region, Allied Universal. “My work with WIOA is truly rewarding because the organisation provides the opportunity for people to find careers through training, education and support services which gives them the ability to succeed in their lives and to care for their families.” Support services The Board represents a vital link to improve the City’s workforce to meet the needs of the industry The WIOA is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market. It also aims to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. WIOA was signed into law on July 22, 2014. The work of the Board represents a vital link to improve the City’s workforce to better meet the needs of business and industry. As President of Allied Universal’s Northeast Region, Kennedy has oversight of more than 26,000 security professionals in eight states. Kennedy previously was Managing Partner for the Northeast Region at AlliedBarton Security Services, which merged with Universal Services of America to form Allied Universal in 2016. Responsibility and position Prior to joining the company in 2011, Kennedy held senior-level positions where she was responsible for regional and national operations at COMSYS, Global Employment Solutions, Norrell Corporation, Thomson Financial and Xerox.

With an industry predicted to be worth $42.8B by 2025, drones continue to transform a number of industries, from medical and agriculture to transport and construction. Now, there is a unifying global awards scheme recognising best practice drone work (also called UAS or UAV). Association of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (ARPAS-UK) is introducing the Airwards: a not-for-profit awards platform which champions the breadth of pioneering work accomplished with drones. A first digital awards scheme of its kind to recognise the wide variety of positive drone use cases, submissions to Airwards are open until mid-March 2021, with winners announced in May. The award categories span a number of uses and sectors, including Technology, Operations, Supporting Services, specific Industries/Fields and Giving Back, with a People’s Choice category voted for by the public. Advance the drone industry Airwards will be looking for outstanding examples where drones are leading the way in innovation, responsibility and impactful real-world solutions. We’re on a mission to advance the drone industry by championing the broad range of positive drone use cases" Airwards founder, Richard Nichols, says: “We’re on a mission to advance the drone industry by championing the broad range of positive drone use cases from across the globe. 2020 proved a pivotal moment for the drone industry, so we believe the time is now for companies to come together and share their impactful drone work." Airwards categories "Airwards was established not only as a way to bring the drone community together in one place, encouraging cross-industry collaboration, but also to raise awareness of positive drone uses with the wider public - ultimately working towards greater public acceptance of drones. We’re really looking forward to finding some incredible drone projects in our inaugural year and showcasing the inspiring stories behind them.” As a global drone awards platform, Airwards, is open to a range of individuals and companies, including drone specialists transforming an industry, startups using drone technology for creative solutions, and large corporations driving innovation. Awards are grouped by discipline, with entries to the ‘Technology’, ‘Operations’, ‘Supporting Services’ and ‘Industry/Field’ categories starting from £49 for startups. Airwards eligibility & criteria ‘Giving Back’ is free to enter and ‘People’s Choice’ is by nomination-only and voted for by the public. For the full category list, one can visit the Airwards website. Entrants must successfully meet the Airwards eligibility to be able to enter, which includes relevant permits and licences for the project in the country of origin. Amongst others, the three main criteria the Airwards judges will be looking for, are: Innovative: Promoting pioneering ideas successfully challenging what a drone is / can be. Responsible: Recognising the key aspect of safety in every drone flight to advocate legitimate behaviour as a standard best practice. Real-world: Asking the question: ‘How are drones making a difference?’ by demonstrating quantifiable outcomes and tangible solutions. Full Airwards category list Airwards launched in 2020 in association with ARPAS-UK, the not-for-profit trade association for the UK drone industry. Judges will be revealed in due course. Entrants will have from until 12 March 2021, with winners announced late May 2021. For more details on entering, eligibility, pricing, judging criteria and FAQs, one can visit the Airwards official website. Technology Counter Drone Systems (Anti-Drones) Sensors and Payload Software - Captured data management and analysis Software - Enabling flight and operational management Operations Airspace Management Delivery Survey and Inspection Supporting Services Consultancy Insurance and Financing Repair and Maintenance Training and Certification Industry/Field Agriculture Construction and Planning Defence, Security and Surveillance Energy Media, Events and Creative Medical and Healthcare Transport Giving Back Conservation and Environment Education and Research Emergency Response and SAR Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief Public Safety People’s Choice Organisation - External Advocate Organisation - Startup Organisation - SME Organisation - Enterprise Person - Rising Star Person - Industry Impactor Person - Disruptor

The Security industry’s role in maintaining safe workplaces has never been more critical. Yet, individual security officers remain likely to drop shifts at the last minute and with greater frequency in the current climate, with illness, lockdown, self-isolation and home-schooling all common reasons for being off. Having a reliable bench with relief officers on hand has never been more important. Sorting drops internally (as opposed to using agency officers) is no longer nice to have to improve margins but is increasingly expected by clients who require consistent support more than ever. Thanks to COVID-related complications, staff sickness and absence rates could reach as much as 15% this winter and because of this, Controllers can no longer assume they know how many Security officers are going to be able to turn up on any given shift. The truth is traditional static, fixed schedules and standard workforce management software can’t resolve blow-outs or unpredictable demand with any degree of reliability. It is too rigid and inevitably operates too close to maximum capacity to give scope for an adequate response. Agency officers           By using agency officers, Controllers find themselves stuck in a cycle of relying on them and allocating valuable time to filling shifts rather than dealing with the root of the staffing issues. Agency officers are also expensive and need to be trained, with each new officer having to be familiarised with site procedures before starting a shift. By avoiding agencies businesses can not only save money but also the relentless job of ringing around to fill last-minute gaps. Agency staff also heightens the risk of internal officers catching COVID by increased mixing with outside staff members. Static staffing Static roles have a fixed rota pattern and are needed in place no matter how low or high each site requires So, what can Controllers do to avoid agencies but also ensure they have the staffing levels they require? The solution lies in rethinking the approach to static staffing - or staffing by fixed-schedule, permanent team members. In short, the answer is to set full-time staffing levels to the minimum required for operational stability and use a bench of dynamic reserves to cover all other levels of demand. Static roles are those that have a fixed rota pattern and are needed in place no matter how low or high each site requires. Dynamic roles, in contrast, are those roles that can be filled from a pool of people who work non-fixed hours. Once minimum full-time staff requirements are determined then Controllers can begin mapping the dynamic reserves needed to build a bench of officers. How to build a bench Choose areas of the business (by client contract or region) that will benefit most. As a guide, look first where any agency usage is significant. A bench isn’t a line-up of second-rate substitutes - it’s an opportunity to build a talented flexible workforce that wants or needs to be able to work non-standard hours. By empowering bench officers with choice over how and when they work, businesses will see less staff turnover and be able to fill shifts quickly and easily with the right people. By taking into account the preferences and skills of the workforce businesses can intelligently match available officers to the right shifts for them. This helps to build better teams that work well together and allows officers to choose the shifts that suit them best. There has never been a better time for recruiting additional bench staff. This may seem an odd strategy during a recession, but with unemployment levels at a high and incentives from the government to employ apprentices, now is actually the perfect time to look at what additional skills each team needs to offer high levels of service. With the option of flexible contracts and many officers looking to be able to fit work into their busy lifestyles, recruiting additional officers to be part of a bench is a win-win situation. Flexible working options Dynamic staffing gives maximum responsiveness and efficiency but it is complex There are further advantages of internally filling roles, especially during the pandemic, such as peace of mind that officers aren’t mixing unnecessarily with outside staff, reducing the risk of exposure to the virus. This is especially important for those who live with or are high-risk people themselves. In addition to this, by offering flexible working options, officers can feel empowered and happier; we live in a flexible and personalised society so why shouldn’t this thinking be applied to our working lives? By giving officers this dynamic option, many who have other responsibilities such as childcare or aging relatives to care for can still enjoy working and contributing to society. This way of thinking is inclusive, empowering and a lifeline for those who are juggling different factors. Dynamic staffing software Dynamic staffing gives maximum responsiveness and efficiency but it is complex. The moving parts involved - the volume of officers, their availability, the necessary skills, performance feedback - is hard enough when setting schedules in advance. Throw in last-minute blow-outs because of sickness, timetable clashes and operational needs and the sheer complexity can cause an operational meltdown. Dynamic staffing software can help take the operational headache away. Treating officers equally Lastly, it is important that all officers are treated equally, whether full time or bench. Controllers and the reputation of the business rely on these bench officers to respond to unpredictable needs, they aren’t a band-aid, they are the business and their performance depends on their satisfaction and retention.

With the postponement of tradeshows and events due to the effects of COVID-19, Vanderbilt and ComNet have taken their high quality, innovative solutions online, directly to their customer base. Through an Online Events and Training resource, you can stay connected with the brands’ top resources and products, as well as join upcoming product webinars hosted by their in-house experts. With a majority of the world currently working from home, businesses must respond to this changing landscape. As such, Vanderbilt and ComNet have turned to online resources to share new product demonstrations and other company news. One cornerstone of the ACRE brands approach was the launch of their Online Events and Training resource page. Ross Wilks, Head of Marketing Communications at Vanderbilt, credits this online resource as the anchor to their communicative success with customers at present. “Through weekly webinars delivered by our in-house experts, Vanderbilt and ComNet have embraced more virtual opportunities to continuously communicate to our customers regarding our latest and most relevant products,” he says. “To date, our webinars have covered a wide range of industry topics such as Why Physical Security and Cloud go together, and The most recent developments in card cloning and reader hacking. Attendance to these online events has proved popular and effective in keeping communication with our customer base open and engaging.” Each webinar ends with a Q&A section, as well as follow-up articles on the most asked questions, plus recordings of the webinars being made available to attendees. As such, the webinar approach has proven a receptive approach for Vanderbilt and ComNet. The Online Events and Training resource acts as a one-stop-shop for all virtual information. Overall, the page outlines the brands’ value-added resources for customers, including the ability to request a remote product demonstration, the availability of free online training, 24/7 access to the Vanderbilt webshop, plus the aforementioned weekly webinars. Vanderbilt and ComNet’s business mantra is built on a foundation of customer-focused core values such as empowerment, collaboration, and high performance and Wilks credits this mentality with their ability to keep information flowing to their base during the present pandemic. “The ACRE brands moved early to kick-start online webinars and ramp up awareness of their already existing online training and shopping options. Now more than ever, it is important to keep customers up to date on the latest offerings,” Wilks explains. “Our commitment has always been to make their customer’s security journey the best possible experience, and that is what this Online Events and Learning page primarily focuses on,” he concludes.

Growing up, I was surrounded by the military way of life as my father was a Captain in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and my grandfather and uncles all served in the military. Even from a young age, I knew I was going to serve our country. My 22-year career in the military includes serving in the United States Air Force, the California Air National Guard and as a reservist assigned to an active-duty Air Force unit. Training and development operations Over the course of my military career, I held a variety of assignments from starting out as a Gate Guard to becoming a Flight Chief and Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of a Security Forces section. I retired from the military as a Master Sergeant. After my deployment to Afghanistan, I joined Allied Universal as a security director. My 17-year career at Allied Universal encompasses roles including Service Manager and General Manager at the West Los Angeles Branch and leading the Training and Development operations and Fire Life Safety Division. In 2008, I was tasked to develop and implement the company’s Healthcare Division. Attaining meaningful employment opportunities Below are just a few reasons why the physical security sector is a natural fit for military veterans: Self-Discipline and Organisation Coveted in Security Sector - I believe that the skills learned in the military, such as self-discipline and organisation, have provided the necessary tools to be successful. I truly enjoy working with other veterans at my company as we all know that we can count on each other to get the job done right. This bond and sense of commitment to each other is always there. Multi-faceted Career Paths Available - The security sector also offers veterans the ability to attain meaningful employment opportunities with multi-faceted career paths. A veteran’s background and experience are highly valued in this sector and there are many positions to match our skill sets and expertise. The responsibility we have for those in our charge is really not any different than what we have learned in the military. Team Players - Teamwork is a lesson all military veterans learn. In the military, you live and work together, and are taught to support your team members and efficiently collaborate with the people around you. This is an invaluable skill in the security sector whether you are seeking an entry level or management position. No Military to Civilian Decoder Needed - Veterans need a ‘military to civilian decoder’ system to help explain the significance of their military skills and how they translate to the general employment landscape. The physical security sector, however, understands the language of the military and don’t generally require that military responsibilities be coded into language that non-military can understand. Securing mid-level appointments The physical security sector features a wide variety of jobs from entry level, middle management to senior positions. A retired veteran with a pension may look to the security sector for part-time or full-time entry level work. Other former military, who are not eligible for retirement benefits, may secure mid-level appointments with the goal of climbing the ladder to the highest rungs. The flexibility and opportunity are unparalleled in the security sector. Veterans generally enter the workforce with identifiable skills that can be transferred to the physical security world and are often skilled in technical trends pertinent to business and industry. And what they don't know, they are eager to learn - making them receptive and ready hires in physical security environments that value ongoing learning and training.

An impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been to accelerate change. In 2020, the security industry was among many others that sought to adapt to shifting norms. In the process, we grabbed onto new opportunities for change and, in many cases, re-evaluated how we have done business for decades. If necessity is the mother of invention, perhaps crisis is the mother of acceleration. This article will reflect on how these themes impacted the physical security industry in 2020, based on content we published throughout the year, and with links back to the original articles. Sensitive data leakage Since the lockdown came into effect, organisations globally have undergone years' worth of transformations in a matter of months. Whether it has been to transition their operations online or moving their IT infrastructure to the cloud, there’s no denying that the face of business has changed permanently, experiencing a seismic shift, both operationally and culturally. As we enter the ‘next normal’ there remains a great deal of uncertainty around what the next 12 months holds and how organisations can navigate turbulence in the face of a possible recession. One of the most notable and widely reported trends has been the switch to remote methods of work, or home working. With so many employees logging on from residential networks, through personal devices that may be more easily compromised, the overall attack surface has greatly increased, raising the risk of potential corporate and sensitive data leakage in their new home office settings. Security and data protection are larger issues than ever. Good cybersecurity hygiene Criminals will use the crisis to scam people for money, account information and more" With a majority of the world working from home, businesses had to respond to this changing landscape. While it used to be that in-person networking events and sales pitches secured new projects or opportunities, the current landscape pushes businesses to be more creative in how they reach their customers. For example, with ISC West being postponed, many companies have turned to online resources to share new product demonstrations and other company news. Others are hosting webinars as a way to discuss the current climate and what it means for the industry. Without the proper precautions, working from home could become a cybersecurity nightmare, says Purdue University professor Marcus Rogers. “Criminals will use the crisis to scam people for money, account information and more,” he says. “With more people working from home, people need to make sure they are practicing good cybersecurity hygiene, just like they would at work. There is also a big risk that infrastructures will become overwhelmed, resulting in communication outages, both internet and cell.” Work-life balance In a typical office with an on-premise data centre, the IT department has complete control over network access, internal networks, data, and applications. The remote worker, on the other hand, is mobile. He or she can work from anywhere using a VPN. Until just recently this will have been from somewhere like a local coffee shop, possibly using a wireless network to access the company network and essential applications. There are many benefits of working remotely with productivity right up the top of the list There are many benefits of working remotely with productivity right up the top of the list. By reducing the unproductive time spent commuting and travelling to meetings, we are able to get much more done in a day. Add to this the reduction in stress and improved work-life balance and it makes for an impressive formula of happier, healthier and more motivated colleagues. And it’s still easy to measure results no matter where someone is working. Video conferencing platforms Trade shows have always been a basic element of how the security industry does business - until the year 2020, that is. This year has seen the total collapse of the trade show model as a means of bringing buyers and sellers face to face. The COVID-19 pandemic has effectively made the idea of a large trade show out of the question. The good news is that the industry has adapted well without the shows. A series of ‘on-line shows’ has emerged, driven by the business world’s increasing dependence on Zoom and other video conferencing platforms. The fact is, 2020 has provided plenty of opportunities for sellers to connect with buyers. Some of these sessions have been incredibly informative – and conveniently accessible from the comfort of a home office. Online training courses Online training has grown in popularity this year, and the change may become permanent Online training has grown in popularity this year, and the change may become permanent. “We have seen unprecedented international demand for our portfolio of online training courses ranging from small installation companies to the largest organisations, across a wide range of sectors,” says Jerry Alfandari, Group Marketing Manager of Linx International Group, a UK training firm. “More than ever, businesses are looking to ensure they have the skills in-house to coordinate their response to the changing situation. Individuals are also taking this time to upskill themselves for when we return to ‘normal’ by bringing something with them they didn’t have before. Perhaps unsurprisingly, people are still seeking to better themselves for what will be, eventually, a competitive market.” Virtual trade show ‘Crisis and the Everyday’ was part of Genetec’s Connect’DX virtual trade show last spring. The virtual conversation – emphasising both in form and content the topsy-turvy state of the world – included interesting insights on the current pandemic and its near- and long-term impact on the industry. In the middle of this pandemic, there is an opportunity to help security reinvent itself “In the middle of this pandemic, there is an opportunity to help security reinvent itself,” said Brad Brekke, Principal, The Brekke Group, one of the panelists. “Amid the business disruption, we should ask ‘what’s the new playbook?’ It’s an opportunity for security to look at ourselves now and look at a business plan of what the future might look like. We need to align with the business model of the corporation and define our role more around business and not so much around security.” Cloud-based platform As a cloud-based platform for service providers in the security, smart home and smart business markets, Alarm.com adapted quickly to changing conditions during the coronavirus pandemic. In the recent dynamic environment, Alarm.com has kept focus on supporting their service provider partners so they can keep local communities protected. “We moved quickly to establish work-from-home protocols to protect our employees and minimise impact on our partners,” says Anne Ferguson, VP of Marketing at Alarm.com. The Customer Operations and Reseller Education (CORE) team has operated without interruption to provide support to partners. Sales teams are utilising webinars and training resources to inform and educate partners about the latest products, tools, and solutions. Alarm.com’s partner tools are essential for remote installations and support of partner accounts.

The drive for learning doesn’t diminish, even in times of a global pandemic. To accommodate the demands of social distancing, more training today happens online. “We have seen unprecedented international demand for our portfolio of online training courses ranging from small installation companies to the largest organisations, across a wide range of sectors,” says Jerry Alfandari, Group Marketing Manager of Linx International Group, a U.K. training firm. “More than ever, businesses are looking to ensure they have the skills in-house to coordinate their response to the changing situation. Individuals are also taking this time to upskill themselves for when we return to ‘normal’ by bringing something with them they didn’t have before. Perhaps unsurprisingly, people are still seeking to better themselves for what will be, eventually, a competitive market.” Expert security training Topics such as CCTV, Access Control, Intruder and Fire Tavcom Training, part of the Linx International Group, provides technical security training delivered by expert tutors on topics such as CCTV, Access Control, Intruder and Fire and also CCTV Control Room and Security Management. Given the practical nature of the courses, the majority have historically been delivered in a state-of-the-art training centre through interactive workshops. However, in order to best protect their staff and learners, and following government guidelines, Tavcom have closed their training centre for the time being. Learners are still able to book into classroom courses for later in the year with a choice of two learning centres now being offered: Hampshire or the recently established training centre in Shipley. For those who prefer to learn online, Tavcom delivers accredited online security training. “Given the situation we are all in at the moment, our online courses have seen an 86% increase in demand over the last several months,” says Alfandari. All online courses offer the same level of support as the classroom courses, with many accredited to BTEC level 3 and 5, catering to professionals of varying skill levels and experience. Improve your professional development “Our online courses remain as accessible as ever, with huge numbers of security systems engineers and professionals seeking to use this [quarantine] time to improve their professional development,” Alfandari says. “We encourage all people to consider the benefits of eLearning and, if they need any advice, to reach out to the Tavcom training team.” It’s more important now than ever before that learners are able to access Tavcom’s online learning programmes and continue in their professional development, he says. To help facilitate learning, the company has discounted 25% off the portfolio of eLearning courses, many of which are BTEC accredited and come with expert tutor support. We are also introducing new interactive ways of teaching traditionally classroom-based courses" “We are also introducing new interactive ways of teaching traditionally classroom-based courses with the aid of Zoom virtual classroom courses, led by our tutors,” says Alfandari. “From the learner’s own home, they will be able to undertake their chosen training course and return to the training centre later in the year to complete the practical assessment.” Skillsets remain in demand Even the most well-prepared organisations with extensive contingency plans have been stunned by the scale and speed of the current situation. Alfandari says: “We are finding especially our Intruder Alarms courses for repair and maintenance engineers have been exceptionally popular; those skill sets remain as in demand as ever in these troubled times.” A sister company, PerpetuityARC Training, offers Security Management BTEC Level 4 and Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management BTEC Level 4 courses that are purposely designed to help businesses and those responsible for security learn how to identify threats, risks and vulnerabilities, and create a comprehensive plan that will enable practical measures to be applied to mitigate the impact. Both courses run via two media: classroom or online and are tutor-supported so learners have a choice according to what best suits their needs and requirements. An online Essential Security Practices course is comprised of 12 modules designed to introduce the essentials of corporate security. Modules can be bought individually or as a whole course and will establish fundamental knowledge of best security practice. “It’s a great starting place if you’re new to security or want to brush up on your expertise,” says Alfandari. Maintaining a security presence is a challenge during a global pandemic. “With people following guidelines by staying at home, we’ve been working hard to drive the message that learning doesn’t stop just because you can’t go out,” says Alfandari. “People may think that because they can’t get to the training centre then they can’t train, but that’s just not the case.” Learning in these unprecedented times Our training centres may be closed for now, but our courses are still very much running" Between Tavcom Training and PerpetuityARC Training, there are more than 20 distance learning courses including ASIS International and The Security Institute, all of which can be accessed at home, at a learner’s own pace. “It’s important that people understand that we’re still here, still available and that we haven’t ‘gone away’,” says Alfandari. “Our training centres may be closed for now, but our courses are still very much running. “ “These are, without doubt, extremely difficult times,” he adds. “We are here for our learners. Our team are working hard behind the scenes to facilitate the best possible learning experience during this time, and we encourage all potential learners to really use this and make the most of it. Whether you want a refresher in security basics or finally to start on that qualification you’ve been putting off, we are here to help you in your professional development.” Rhiannon Limbert, Marketing Coordinator for Linx International Group, contributed to this content.

In addition to providing the Northeast’s largest security trade show, ISC East will include free conference sessions and keynote speeches right on the show floor and several paid workshops. The Nov. 20-21 event at New York’s Javits Center will also include vendor solution sessions from Axis Communications, Hikvision and NAPCO. Wide variety of paid workshops An advantage of the International Security Conference & Exposition in New York is that much of the programming is complimentary to registered attendees, and location of the sessions on the show floor means attendees don’t have to leave the exhibition to take in a session. The paid workshops include technology sessions about cyber terminology for physical security integratorsThe paid workshops include an Active Shooter Workshop and technology sessions about cyber terminology for physical security integrators; and basic installation and configuration of video surveillance solutions. An OSDP (Open Supervised Device Protocol) Boot Camp Short Course will also be offered. As a smaller show, the topics of ISC East conference sessions are broader and of more general interest, rather than organised into focused “tracks” as at ISC West. Attendance at sessions can provide continuing education (CE) credits with organisations that partner with ISC East – one credit for each hour-long session. Attendees can use their Certificate of Attendance from any session to self-report their education hours to relevant industry bodies: ALOA (AEU education credits), ASIS (CPE continuing professional education credits) and NICET (CPD Continuing Professional Development points). An advantage of the International Security Conference & Exposition in New York is that much of the programming is complimentary to registered attendees Keynote sessions at the Main Stage The Main Stage will be the venue for keynote sessions delivered by Deanne Criswell, Commissioner, New York City Emergency Management (on Day 1 – Nov. 20); and Angela Stubblefield, Chief of Staff at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (on Day 2 – Nov. 21). The two SIA Education@ISC East educational theaters on the show floor will be booked up both days with a variety of interesting topics. A new session covers penetration testing for physical security, presented by Michael Glasser of Glasser Security Group. A session on LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors will be presented by Frank Bertini, UAV and Robotics Business Manager, Velodyne LiDAR. Another popular topic is Safe Cities, and FLIR will present a session on moving from secured to smart cities with intelligent, connected systems. New addition is Active Shooter Workshop  The Active Shooter Workshop is a new addition to the ISC East programme. It has been a popular session at ISC West for three years now. At ISC East, presenters of the workshop will be David LaRose, System Director Public Health, Lee Health; and Ben Scaglione, Director of Healthcare and Security Programming, Lowers and Associates. At the end of the workshop, an additional hour of programming will be the “Stop the Bleed/Save a Life” session presented by Jerry Wilkins, Co-Owner of Active Risk Survival. The Main Stage will be the venue for keynote sessions delivered by Deanne Criswell, Commissioner, New York City Emergency Management, and Angela Stubblefield, Chief of Staff at the Federal Aviation Administration Woman in Security event A Women in Security Forum breakfast event will be held on Nov. 21 (Thursday). It’s the second annual event and this year will focus on diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace of the future. Valerie Anderson, President of Boon Edam, will lead a discussion on “Diversity 2.0: Next Steps for Creating an Empowered Workforce”Moderator Valerie Anderson, President of Boon Edam, will lead a discussion on “Diversity 2.0: Next Steps for Creating an Empowered Workforce”. Panelists are Lisa Terry of Allied Universal, Andrew Lanning of Integrated Security Technologies, Elaine Palome of Axis Communications and Dawne Hanks of Milestone. The Women in Security event is likely to attract up to 100 attendees. SIA’s Women in Security is an active organisation, with monthly meetings and a newsletter that recognises prominent women in the security industry. “It’s really a group for both men and women,” says Mary Beth Shaughnessy, Event Director, ISC Events at Reed Exhibitions. “There are many programmes, recruiting efforts, and professional and networking opportunities. They are a robust group of people who are active in making a difference. It’s important to support women in the security industry, which is 95% male, and to develop a new generation of women to be a part of the industry’s future.” The keynote addresses at ISC East will also highlight two high-profile women.

Leonardo delivered the first two M-345 jet trainer aircraft to the Italian Air Force, which to-date has ordered 18 units from a total requirement for up to 45 aircraft. The new type of jet trainer aircraft, designated T-345A by the Italian Air Force, will gradually replace the 137 MB-339s which have been in service since 1982. M-345 jet trainer aircraft Marco Zoff, Leonardo Aircraft Managing Director, said “Building on our heritage and expertise in jet trainers, the M-345 will allow our customers to achieve a significant improvement in training effectiveness while at the same time reducing operating costs. This first delivery to the Italian Air Force is a key milestone, the result of a longstanding and productive team working closely together with the operator.” The new M-345 jet trainer aircraft, designed to meet basic and basic-advanced training requirements, will complement the in-service M-346, which is used for advanced pilot training. Integrated training system Leonardo’s integrated training system developed around the M-345 platform is representative of the company’s technological leadership in training pilots to fly current and future generation aircraft. The system benefits from experience with, and technology developed for, the M-346, which includes a ‘Live Virtual Constructive’ capability. This allows aircraft which are flying live training missions to incorporate simulated ‘friend’ or ‘foe’ elements into scenarios, allowing the pilot to be exposed to the full range of possible operational situations. M-345 HET (High Efficiency Trainer) The new M-345 HET (High Efficiency Trainer) reduces the time required for air forces to train pilots The M-345 is a high-performance aircraft which supports a pilot’s transition from basic trainers to latest-generation fighters. The Italian Air Force’s acquisition of the new aircraft is an important step forward in the modernisation of its fleet, with the M-345 replacing the MB-339A in Air Force’s second and third military pilot training phases. The M-345 has also been chosen as the new aircraft of the Italian Air Force’s acrobatic team, the ‘Frecce Tricolori’. The new M-345 HET (High Efficiency Trainer) reduces the time required for air forces to train pilots. It also gives trainees the chance to fly an aircraft that features higher performance characteristics than other basic/advanced trainer aircraft currently in service around the world. Delivering high quality training at low cost The performance of the M-345 allows it to carry out the most demanding mission types found in a training syllabus, delivering high quality training at significantly lower cost. The M-345 cockpit architecture is the same as that of frontline fighters. The aircraft is also able to perform operational roles, thanks to an extended flight envelope, with a high-speed maneuvering capability even at high altitudes, modern avionics systems, high load capacity and performance. Health and Monitoring Usage System The M-345 is designed with a long life-cycle and a two-level approach to maintenance The M-345 is designed with a long life-cycle and a two-level approach to maintenance, eliminating the need for expensive general overhauls. The aircraft’s Health and Monitoring Usage System (HUMS) also contributes to a lower cost of ownership. A sophisticated on-board training simulator confers a number of benefits. For instance, M-345 pilots are able to plan maneuvers before live training, allowing for higher efficiency during flight. Mission Planning and Debriefing Station Trainees are also able to fly in formation with other pilots in the air and those training on the ground in simulators, via a real-time data-link. The aircraft’s Mission Planning and Debriefing Station (MPDS) allow trainees to analyse the missions they have just flown. The M-345’s engine is a Williams FJ44-4M-34 turbo fan optimised for military and aerobatic use. The cockpit is based on HOTAS (Hands-On-Throttle-And-Stick) controls and features a glass cockpit with a three-colour MFD (Multi-function Display) touch screen. The aircraft’s heads-up display is mirrored on a fourth screen in the rear seat.

Contracts for two additional COSMO-SKyMed Second Generation (CSG) satellites have been signed with the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Italian Ministry of Defence. Satellites 3 and 4 will complete the second generation of the Italian earth observation program, ensuring continuity and high performance of the planet's monitoring services. Continuous technological research Alessandro Profumo, Leonardo CEO commented: “COSMO-SkyMed is one of Italy’s great success stories, a driver of technological research, new applications, industrial competitiveness and employment, as well as fundamental infrastructure for the protection and security of Italy and Europe.” As Leonardo, we are proud of the contribution provided in all phases of the COSMO-SkyMed program" “Thanks to the capabilities demonstrated in the management of emergency situations linked to sudden events, the systems potential in terms of reliability, precision and flexibility are known internationally. In addition, its capabilities are now further enhanced by the second generation, with continuous technological research. As Leonardo, we are proud of the contribution provided in all phases of the COSMO-SkyMed program, a role that gives us credibility and prestige with our customers all over the world.” SAR satellite system COSMO-SkyMed is an Earth observation satellite system of ASI and the Ministry of Defence, a flagship of Italian technology and innovation, built by Leonardo and its joint ventures Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio. It is a dual-use constellation, with SAR ‘eyes’ (Synthetic Aperture Radar) capable of monitoring the phenomena of the Earth in any weather condition. COSMO-SkyMed has changed the way of observing the planet, ensuring fundamental information for the security and the understanding of phenomena that affect everyday life. With the innovative updates built into the second generation COSMO-SkyMed is the first SAR satellite system in the world capable of simultaneously acquiring two images of two areas hundreds of kilometres apart and thus serving two requests that would have been in conflict for any other satellite system. Medium-sized enterprises COSMO-SkyMed images are used to support populations affected by natural disasters such as earthquakes and fires, but also for the control of cultural and artistic heritage, of critical infrastructures, for monitoring the receding of glaciers, that of oil spills in the seas and for the optimisation of agricultural techniques. The constellation will be completed with the additional two satellites just announced which will join the first two The first Second Generation satellite was launched a year ago. The second satellite will be launched on a VEGA-C launcher. The constellation will be completed with the additional two satellites just announced which will join the first two. The COSMO-SkyMed system, of the Italian Space Agency and the Ministry of Defence, is the result and expression of the best skills of the Italian space industry, with Leonardo and its joint ventures Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio, assisted by a significant number of small and medium-sized enterprises. Providing star trackers In particular, Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), is responsible for the entire radar system and satellites, while Telespazio, a joint venture between Leonardo (67%) and Thales (33%), is responsible of the ground segment and hosts the command and control centre of the constellation at the Fucino Space Centre. Leonardo also contributes to the program by providing the star trackers (A-STR) for the orientation of the satellite, photovoltaic panels (PVA) and electronic units for the management of the electrical power. The first generation has four satellites launched between 2007 and 2010, while the first satellite of the new generation was launched in December 2019. The COSMO-SkyMed constellation is able to acquire up to 1800 images per day that Leonardo, through e-GEOS (Telespazio 80%, ASI 20%) receives, processes and markets all over the world.

Dahua Technology – one of the pioneer video technology companies – has entered into a six-figure sponsorship deal with Celtic FC, supplying the club with state of the art video-based technology and equipment. Under the sponsorship deal, Dahua is supplying video walls for locations such as the Celtic Store and Media Centre at Celtic Park, high-tech quad-rotor drones to help with player training and development, and electronic whiteboards to be used for staff training, as well as meetings and presentations for staff and visitors. Highly visible aspects As part of the new partnership, Dahua will be appearing across a range of Club assets, on LED pitch-side banners, and on the club’s website and match programmes. The deal represents the first ever major sponsorship by Dahua Technology in the UK and Ireland. The deal represents the first ever major sponsorship by Dahua Technology in the UK and Ireland “We are thrilled about our sponsorship of Celtic FC,” said Michael Lawrence, Marketing Director at Dahua Technology UK & Ireland. “As well as the highly visible aspects of the sponsorship, this deal represents a real partnership between Celtic FC and Dahua, and is an example of our engagement with communities across the UK and Ireland.” High quality technology Commenting on the deal, Cheng Zeng, Business Development Manager for China and Asia at Celtic FC said: “We are delighted to launch this partnership today with Dahua Technology. Their expertise and high quality technology will enhance both fan experience in our stores and business operations as a whole. We hope to work with Dahua long into the future.” As well as the equipment supplied to Celtic FC, Dahua Technology manufactures a range of innovative and technically advanced video equipment. These include TiOC, a three-in-one camera that integrates 24/7 full-colour monitoring, active deterrence and Artificial Intelligence into one smart unit; WizSense, a series of products and solutions that utilise Artificial Intelligence and deep learning algorithms; and its Starlight range of low-light video technology.

In prisons, video cameras are vital to keeping an eye on the watched and the watchers. But capturing, storing and retrieving that information isn’t as easy as training a lens on a few dark corners. What does that look like? The Irish Prison Service (IPS) recently upgraded its video surveillance system in 12 prison facilities to 5,000 cameras continuously recording the movement and actions of everyone on the inside. And to respect privacy laws, that footage has to stick around at least four years and a day — that’s two blue moons or a leap year cycle — or until any incidents are resolved. Systematically deleting video “Video data has a huge impact on the safety and security of our staff and prisoners. People’s lives are at stake in extreme cases,” says George Jackson, the recently retired head of information and communication technology at IPS. “Therefore, it’s hugely important that there are safeguards around how the data is stored and secured.” Despite a historical low incarceration rate close to countries like Norway and Sweden, the upgrade from the 2008 surveillance setup comes as the IPS population grew about 10 percent over the previous year. The old system wasn’t up to the task of ensuring safety. Footage from the traditional storage array had never been deleted. The service lacked the visibility and a technical process for securely and systematically deleting video. Upgraded surveillance infrastructure HPE provides local storage using CTERA running on HPE servers to capture video 24/7 at each prison facility Storage capacity was also running short. Additionally, IPS had recently upgraded surveillance infrastructure with new high-definition cameras, generating larger video files and even more storage demands. Enter data storage solutions from HPE, Scality and CTERA. HPE provides local storage using CTERA running on HPE servers to capture video 24/7 at each prison facility. Long-term offsite storage relies on HPE systems and Scality RING to securely retain video of incidents. HPE servers at each facility provide five terabytes of raw storage to handle all the video captured locally, with room for up to 64 terabytes. Intelligent data management Two Scality RING storage clouds provide 300 terabytes of usable, secure storage that scales to multiple petabytes if needed. Scality also manages replication between the two environments, protecting the data by having a complete copy of the archive always available in the event of a disaster. Scality software provides intelligent data management throughout the lifecycle of the stored video, including secure and automated deletion. Moreover, to be certain the deletion process is carried out with full transparency, there are a series of email alerts to advise relevant parties in advance of deletion, beginning at the three-year mark and progressing with more frequent notices up to the day before scheduled deletion. “Prisons can be difficult environments, so any technology we use must work,” says Jackson. “If there is an incident, it’s highly important that the solution works and is reliable.”

Global professional services provider Equiom has 14+ offices across the globe with more than 600 employees. In 2014, Equiom employed just 200 people across two offices in two jurisdictions and had ambitious plans to grow into a global business. But while the business had plans to scale, its infrastructure was that of a small business and not able to support its ambitions. As such, the company undertook a review of its entire IT infrastructure, including the network, software, and servers, with a key focus on cybersecurity, to develop systems that could support the business’ growth strategy. External vulnerability testing Furthermore, Equiom believed its security had to be robust enough to provide peace of mind to regulators, investors, and shareholders. To address this challenge Equiom wanted to work with a specialist cybersecurity partner that could both help identify any weaknesses and vulnerabilities within the infrastructure and provide recommendations and training for improving its security posture. Equiom selected SureCloud to provide services globally including cybersecurity penetration testing services Following a competitive process Equiom selected SureCloud to provide services globally including cybersecurity penetration testing services, internal and external vulnerability testing and management, social engineering including simulated phishing exercises and simulated ransomware attacks and physical social engineering. All services were delivered as part of our Pentest-as-a-Service, which provides a centralised platform for managing of all elements of the projects, including Equiom’s vulnerability remediation programme. Cloud-based platform Stephen Roberts, Global Chief Information Officer for Equiom Group, commented: “SureCloud was the obvious choice as the team is extremely knowledgeable, and the company had invested heavily in its cloud-based platform to create a technical solution that is far more developed than anything else in the marketplace.” “We felt working with SureCloud would enable us to provide a single snapshot of our security posture at any given time. Ultimately, the platform offered us the ability to simplify the overall management process, which was a key differentiator for us. SureCloud takes what is, in reality, a highly complex set of requirements and makes it as simple as possible.” Accurately monitor progress “Through centralisation of all reports and data, including output from penetration tests, vulnerability scans and social engineering exercises, we have complete visibility over our infrastructure and can develop remediation action plans and accurately monitor progress in real time,” said Roberts. SureCloud provides peace of mind to our stakeholders and customers" “As we continue to grow, SureCloud provides peace of mind to our stakeholders and customers. When we compare new acquisitions to those parts of our business that have gone through the SureCloud process, we can see a very clear difference in the respective postures. This is a testament to SureCloud’s success in keeping our security posture in excellent health,” commented Roberts. Overall security posture “We have also worked with SureCloud to address additional challenges in the business. We are currently using its GDPR application, which feeds data back into the platform enabling us to assess our compliance status against our overall security posture. Now we have complete oversight of our infrastructure,” said Roberts. “The fact that SureCloud is easy to use and highly scalable means that as we work to triple the size of the business over the next four years, we can do so while confidently relying on the platform to ensure that security is not compromised during that process. Through SureCloud we have raised our security posture to a level where our systems can help detect threats so that we can prevent attacks before they impact the business”, concluded Roberts.

STANLEY Security, one of the UK’s security providers, is pleased to announce it will be providing its round the clock safety monitoring and emergency response management services to Blackline Safety customers across the UK and Europe. Blackline Safety is a supplier of wirelessly connected gas detection and lone worker monitoring products. Blackline’s technology monitors for atmospheric hazards and the wellbeing of personnel working alone, whether in populated areas, indoors within complex facilities or remotely. Safety monitoring services A key part of its service is live 24/7 monitoring and wireless gas detection, helping teams working in hazardous environments by responding to emergencies in real-time and managing efficient evacuations. STANLEY Security will take over the role of safety monitoring services for Blackline in the UK Under this new partnership, STANLEY Security will take over the role of safety monitoring services for Blackline in the UK, Netherlands and Belgium this month, with a further seven countries in Europe throughout 2020. STANLEY Security will additionally provide backup support for Blackline’s Calgary-based Safety Operations Center, increasing protection for the Blackline’s North American customers. Smooth transition of monitoring and response services The choice of partners was, in a large part, due to both companies being BS 8484:2016 accredited and has made the transition of 24/7 monitoring services near seamless.  BS 8484:2016 is the Code of Practice for the Provision of Lone Worker Services, which advises on best practice when seeking a solution to reduce and/or eliminate the risk to staff operating away from the ability of colleagues to provide direct assistance. Blackline Safety Europe is the only manufacturer of gas detectors to achieve this standard. To further ensure the smooth transition of monitoring and response services, STANLEY Security has established a continuous training programme for employees across Europe.  The training not only ensures operatives have in-depth knowledge of Blackline’s emergency response protocols, products and features, but are kept up to date at all times.

Internet-based training has long provided a less-expensive alternative to in-person classroom time. There are even universities that provide most or all of their instruction online. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has expanded acceptance even more and increased usage of internet-based meeting and learning tools. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How can remote or internet-based training benefit the physical security market?

Traditionally, security industry professionals have often come from backgrounds in law enforcement or the military. However, the industry is changing, and today’s security professionals can benefit from a variety of backgrounds and educational disciplines. The industry’s emphasis on technology solutions suggests a need for more students of computer science, engineering and other technology fields. The closer integration of security with related disciplines within the enterprise suggests a need to prepare through a broad array of educational pursuits. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the role of higher education to create the next generation of physical security leaders?

The new year is several weeks old, so it is safe to say that many of our New Year resolutions have fallen by the wayside. Despite the limited success of our personal resolutions, the new year is a great time to take stock, look ahead, and plan to make 2020 the best year yet. Thinking about our industry as a whole, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What should be the security industry’s “New Year’s resolution?”