There is something obvious about stating that converging technologies is to the benefit of the business. In a previous webinar we examined some of the challenges that ESRM faces, here we specifically look at the role of people, specifically how critical soft skills are in making a converged approach work. There has been a lack of attention to a blueprint as to how humans might best optimise effective technology integration and some at least are floundering. This should not be surprising, after all there will inevitably be challenges in getting teams who historically distrust each other to work together especially if they lack models of good practice. This webinar will discuss:

The extent to which convergence is undermined by a lack of attention to people factors
The issues that present challenges to effective collaboration on technology
What a positive way forward may look like to harness the benefits convergence can provide

Panellists:
Emma Boakes – PhD Research Student at University of Portsmouth (UK)
Louisa Schneller – Risk & Security Management Software Consultant at TeamMacro OÜ (Czechia)
Dawn Holmes – Global Physical Security and Technology Specialist at GKN Automotive (UK)
Darrell Darnell – DTE Consulting LLC and JSS Consulting Inc (US)

A video and summary of this session is available here: https://www.theospas.com/2021/04/16/thinking-again-about-convergence-is-the-problem-the-people-rather-than-the-technology/

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Sustainability has risen dramatically quickly as a key point of focus for organisational hierarchies. The drivers have come from several sources. Certainly, investors are prioritising this issue, often requiring firm commitments to meet ambitious targets. Other drivers are concerns about public image and the knock-on consequences for marketability and the implicit dangers of making a wrong move. Staff too can show strong commitment. All credible companies, security or not are impacted by the same general sustainability aims such as those relating to climate change.  Others are very much more security related, for example clients with green buildings want to avoid any polluting products, that do not take account of the energy used, that don’t use recyclable packaging, that do not take account of landfill avoidance, that don’t use sustainable materials, and how the materials are sourced and their product life are important too. This webinar will discuss:

How is sustainability impacting on security?
Where are the opportunities for the security sector in presenting itself as sustainability conscious?
What is next for the security sector on the sustainability agenda?

Panellists:
Samantha Lang – Risk Manager at SecuriGroup
Catherine Sheehy – Global Lead of Sustainability Partnerships at UL Retail and Consumer Products
Abbey Petkar – Managing Director at Magenta Security Services Ltd

A video and summary of this session is available here: https://www.theospas.com/2021/04/14/security-and-sustainability/

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As we ‘return to work’, what will we return to? In many cases, we can expect that workplaces will be transformed with communal areas eliminated or repurposed, while workspaces are separated and enlarged. Some colleagues may never reappear in person. What does all of this mean for those charged with securing workplaces and operations, both in terms of physical security and data/network security? In this webinar we will be exploring how a post-pandemic workplace will look and function and the ways in which security will have to adjust. This webinar will examine:

What workplaces are planning and debating and what challenges these offer
What the impact will be on organizational cultures in both a hybrid and post-pandemic environment
How prepared is the security sector to adapt to this new reality?

Panellists:
Shayne Bates – Principal Consultant at Stratum Knowledge
Kathy Lavinder – Founder & Executive Director at Security & Investigative Placement Consultants
Arlin Pedrick – Managing Director and Chief Security Officer at Accenture

A video and summary of this session is available here: https://www.theospas.com/2021/04/09/what-will-the-return-to-work-look-like-what-are-the-implications-for-security/

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Clearly the protection of the national infrastructure, in its various forms, is a key requirement of any country. Yet over the last year we have heard relatively little about threats and responses, so what has been happening? How, if at all, have threats changed during the Pandemic and what about the response? In what ways do cultural differences between countries play a role in how responses are played out? What are likely to be the main threats to the national infrastructure going forward? How do they differ from the past and between different threats, and what are the implications for the response? Will the role of the public be expected to change and if so how? This webinar will discuss:

The impact of the pandemic on risks to the national infrastructure
The major threats that are evolving and how they are being monitored
The evolving role of the public and protection agencies in the new normal

Panellists:
Stephen Lidstone – Security Manager at Shell Russia
Andy Williams – Director and Deputy Chairman at TINYg – Global Terrorism Information Network

A video and summary of this session is available here: https://www.theospas.com/2021/04/07/protecting-the-national-infrastructure-are-we-sure-we-have-not-been-distracted/

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The pandemic has brought into focus the challenges posed by keeping people safe and secure when they are out on business, not just when travelling overseas but also when they are required to attend people’s homes or other workplaces. Technology can help but in what ways? What are the risks in implying people are safe because they have an App or a piece of equipment? And what happens when employees are deployed in areas where connectivity is poor? In any event tracking people is all well and good, but what are the privacy issues and how can they be managed? What happens when employees are not compliant with requirements? And what is the role of security in responding? Is the rivalry between security providers a barrier to a universal service? To what extent do police forces support these private initiatives? This webinar will discuss:

The role of technologies in making employees safe and secure when out on business
The challenges posed by technologies including the challenges to privacy
The role of security personnel in responding effectively to employees in danger

Panellists:
Gordon Knight – CEO at PanicGuard Africa
Martin Wijlens – Travel Risk Management
Heimo Grasser – Chief Awareness Strategist at SAME and Regional Head of Security at Medtronic

A video and summary of this session is available here: https://www.theospas.com/2021/04/02/the-role-of-security-in-protecting-employees-when-out-and-about/

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Much security is procedurally driven. This type of approach can often be optimised using automation, e.g. at 9:00 the front door is unlocked; in the event of fire, all doors are unlocked. By building on simple basic premises, it is becoming possible to create complex policies that address situations which, up until now, are often left to frontline workers. For example, the detection of a group gathering by the perimeter, can result in the relevant emergency services being alerted. Staff can be informed, via mobile messaging or public communication systems, to make their way to a specific exit or meeting point. They can even be tracked so that doors are sealed as they progress through the building, ensuring their security. Sounds good, doesn’t it? But who decides the criteria and is there the capability to recover if things do not go according to plan? This webinar will discuss:

What is the potential of automated security to improve practice?
How geared up are security personnel to provide for agiler security?
What are the drawbacks and barriers to further developments in this area?

Panellists:
Linda Howson – R&D: Future Security Solutions at Nedap (Netherlands)
Daniel Eborall – Director Global Business Development at IREX.ai (UK)
Roberto Manunta – Strategy and Security Advisor at Manunta Consulting (UK, Spain, Italy and Cyprus)

A video and summary of this session is available here: https://www.theospas.com/2021/03/31/agile-security-and-anticipating-the-unknown-how-good-is-the-technology-and-what-are-its-limits/

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100th Episode

In this webinar we speak to K who has been a career criminal. He started when he was young, went through youth custody centres, survived the ‘short, sharp, shock’ (which he did not think was tough enough) and many periods of imprisonment (not always for crimes he committed), but the rewards were too high to give up crime, the opportunities too multiple, the ease of committing offences too encouraging, the chances of getting caught too low to be an impediment.

And we have added A, another former career criminal, who has also been in and out of prison since he was a teenager. He was a thief, and acquired a drug addiction along the way. He will be discussing his motives, his methods and how he reflects on his criminal activities today. They will answer your questions and reflect on a life of crime including:

- The ways in which security can be navigated and negated
- The attractions and drawbacks of a crime career
- What is likely to make crime more difficult and the role of the security sector in that

A video and summary of this session is available here: https://www.theospas.com/2021/03/26/an-interview-with-two-former-career-criminals-on-why-security-doesnt-work/

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The word ‘Darknet’ is closely associated with a range of criminal activities, and the security risks to business are stark. The secret world the dark web provides has provided an ideal environment for offenders to exchange ideas, and trade illegal goods as diverse as drugs and guns, buy information such as the financial details of people, and to hire offenders to carry out crimes including kidnapping and murder. Unsurprisingly it has become a haven of organised crime group activity. Businesses that extract threat intelligence from the Darknet place themselves at a security advantage and those that don’t runs serious risks. In this webinar we will discuss:

The nature of crime on the darknet and the security implications
The role of security personnel in managing the darknet
The evolution of the darknet and the implications for security

Panellists:
Gary Hibberd – The Professor of Communicating Cyber at Cyberfort Group
Pauline Norstrom – CEO at Anekanta Consulting
Dr. Victoria Wang – Reader in Security and Cyber-crime at University of Portsmouth

A video and summary of this session is available here: https://www.theospas.com/2021/03/25/the-dark-net-offenders-idea-of-paradise-what-are-the-implications-for-security/

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There has been much discussion about the move to digital transactions as a more convenient way of conducting business (personally and professionally). But we know that there are security risks in digital transactions, and the move away from using cash has implications for some economies and some people; it is far from an unqualified good. In this webinar we examine the relative risks and benefits of a move from a cashless world versus a non cashless one and examine the security implications. This webinar will examine:

- What are the social implications and the impacts in security in relying less on cash?
- Who are the winners and losers in the transition to more digital than cash transactions? What are the implications for security?
- How well equipped in security to cope with this changing dynamic?

Panellists:
James Shepherd-Barron – Humanitarian Adviser at Cash Essentials, and Disaster Management Consultant
Paul Nicholls – Business Development, Oberthur Cash Protection
Andrea Nitsche – Chair at Cash Matters Org

A video and summary of this session is available here: https://www.theospas.com/2021/03/19/the-move-to-a-cashless-society-the-societal-and-security-implications/

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Managing the impact of suicide: colleagues, clients and society
The security sector is uniquely exposed to the impacts of suicide. A significant proportion of workers in the sector are ostensibly at higher risk; namely, men, who receive low pay, and have low job security. In addition to being the potential victims of suicide, and suicide bereavement, some workers in the industry will be exposed to or be expected to respond to suicides as part of their job role. This webinar looks at the far-reaching impact of suicide, the need for employers to be aware of training needs for those who are at risk of being exposed to suicide, and the needs of employees who are either directly bereaved by suicide, or exposed to suicide as a result of their role. This webinar will cover:

In what ways is Covid-19 impacting on managing the risks of suicides?
How effective are current suicide management approaches?
What do employers need to know about the impact of suicide on their workforce?

Panellists:
Doreen Marshall, PhD – Vice President, Mission Engagement at American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Dr. Sharon McDonnell – Director at Suicide Bereavement UK
Patrick Rea – Marketing Director at PTSD Resolution
Tim Woodhouse – Suicide Prevention Programme Manager at Kent County Council

A video and summary of this session is available here: https://www.theospas.com/2021/03/17/managing-the-impact-of-suicide-colleagues-clients-and-society/

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