The IFSEC Insider Podcast: Security in Focus

In the third and final of a three-part mini podcast series with both SHP and IFSEC Insider, Senior Technical Consultant at Firechief Global, Matt Humby talks about the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries with SHP Editor, Mark Glover.

Matt has over 22 years experience in the fire safety industry, and now provides advice and solutions to help mitigate the fire risk with fire safety products for both commercial and residential building projects.

The first episode discussed the dangers of lithium-ion batteries, while the second covered regulation and standards, and in our final episode we cover action plans organisations can take to reduce, prevent and mitigate the fire risk.

• Lithium-ion battery fire risks – What you need to know (part one)
• Lithium-ion battery fire risks – What you need to know (part two)
• Webinar: Lithium-Ion Battery Fires – A burning issue in today’s world
• E-bike and e-scooter safety guidance issued
• Lithium-Ion battery fire safety – Your questions answered
• How to safely use and store lithium-ion batteries in the workplace
• Hot spots: fire hazards multiply to threaten construction sites

In the second of a three-part mini podcast series with both SHP and IFSEC Insider, Senior Technical Consultant at Firechief Global, Matt Humby talks about the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries with SHP Editor, Mark Glover.

Matt has over 22 years experience in the fire safety industry, and now provides advice and solutions to help mitigate the fire risk with fire safety products for both commercial and residential building projects.

The first episode discussed the dangers of lithium-ion batteries, while this one will cover regulation and standards, and in the final episode we'll cover action plans organisations can take to reduce, prevent and mitigate the fire risk.

• Lithium-ion battery fire risks – What you need to know (part one)
• Webinar: Lithium-Ion Battery Fires – A burning issue in today’s world
• E-bike and e-scooter safety guidance issued
• Lithium-Ion battery fire safety – Your questions answered
• How to safely use and store lithium-ion batteries in the workplace
• Hot spots: fire hazards multiply to threaten construction sites

In the first of a three-part mini podcast series with both SHP and IFSEC Insider, Senior Technical Consultant at Firechief Global, Matt Humby talks about the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries with SHP Editor, Mark Glover.

Matt has over 22 years experience in the fire safety industry, and now provides advice and solutions to help mitigate the fire risk with fire safety products for both commercial and residential building projects.

The first episode discusses the dangers of lithium-ion batteries, while the next will cover regulation and standards, and in the final episode we'll cover action plans organisations can take to reduce, prevent and mitigate the fire risk.

• Webinar: Lithium-Ion Battery Fires – A burning issue in today’s world
• E-bike and e-scooter safety guidance issued
• Lithium-Ion battery fire safety – Your questions answered
• How to safely use and store lithium-ion batteries in the workplace
• Hot spots: fire hazards multiply to threaten construction sites

Click here to preview the forthcoming three-part podcast mini-series on risks around lithium-ion batteries, with expert Matt Humby, Senior Technical Consultant at Firechief Global.

Publishing weekly from Tuesday 12 March on Ifsec Insider and SHP.

Episode 18 of the Security in Focus podcast explores the role of secure Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity in fire and security applications, and an overview of the security and access control sector in 2024. 

This sponsored podcast aims to balance informative content about CSL's expertise within the IoT connectivity space while showcasing real-world applications like CCTV and Access Control with expert John Coleman, who is Head of Sales UK & Ireland at CSL.

We cover why connectivity is a key aspect within the security sector, current challenges and opportunities, real-world applications and its impact.

John also provides an overview of the 2024 security and access control sector, including the advancement of cyber attacks and why cyber solutions will be the next big focus for them.

• IFSEC Interviews: IoT in fire safety – What does the future hold?
• Streamlining the connectivity costs of local government CCTV
• The shift towards connectivity in the intrusion technology market
• 2024 trends in physical security and critical communications
• Research finds low level of trust for IoT device security

Episode 17 of the Security in Focus podcast explores the challenging environment of securing critical national infrastructure (CNI), and the major trends ahead for the sector.

Our two guest experts explain the challenges CNI environments face today, and predict what’s ahead. We hear more about key developments in highly secure environments, with a particular focus on digitalisation and its impact on security professionals and the technology they are working with.

As this drive to a more digitised and connected security ecosystem develops, just what are the key requirements and obstacles security teams must consider? How do devices such as digital locks enable greater efficiencies and more secure sites? And how does a CNI operation achieve true integration and embrace convergence of technology?

All this, and more, is covered by Stephen Horner, a Security Advisor for Northern Gas Network, and Steve Wintle, Head of Critical Infrastructure at Abloy UK. Having worked on a range of projects across all areas of CNI, both provide fascinating insight into one of the most security conscious environments there is.

Links to talking points:

• Whitepaper: Return on Investment of Digital Access Management Solutions for Critical Infrastructure Protection
• More from IFSEC insider on security critical national infrastructure
• Batteries in keyless solutions – Threat or opportunity in critical infrastructure protection?
• More about the ALCEA and ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions merger
• News: UK expertise in security critical national infrastructure outlined in UK Defence Brochure
• Checklist for companies: Aspects to consider before moving to a digital access solution

If you like the show, make sure to subscribe and follow the IFSEC Insider Security in Focus podcast. And, feel free to recommend the show to a friend or colleague!

For more content from IFSEC Insider, make sure to check our website: www.ifsecglobal.com and sign up to our weekly e-newsletters to get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox.

Episode 16 of the Security in Focus podcast features a conversation with Risto Haataja, CEO of risk and security consultancy, Centry Global Group. Based in Odessa, Ukraine, Risto is also a founding member of the ASIS Ukraine Chapter.

Our discussion took place in late September 2023, the night after the city of Odessa was hit by several missile strikes, as Risto shares his experiences of what it's been like to continue working in his role during an ongoing and active war. We hear what those first days of the conflict were like and how security professionals worked tirelessly to support and advise clients and businesses on evacuation procedures.

Risto also shares how the perception of risk has changed over the course of the war, the resilience of his fellow Ukrainian people, and the support he's received through ASIS and the global security community.

Links to talking points:

• ASIS Ukraine Chapter
• ASIS International
• Managing risk in and keeping employees safe during the Ukraine crisis
• Radiological threats in Ukraine: Time to worry? Or not?
• Ukraine War: A month-by-month timeline of the conflict so far

If you like the show, make sure to subscribe and follow the IFSEC Insider Security in Focus podcast. And, feel free to recommend the show to a friend or colleague!

For more content from IFSEC Insider, make sure to check our website: www.ifsecglobal.com and sign up to our weekly e-newsletters to get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox.

How do we define the term, smart building? What does it truly mean and how does one function? Crucially, what is security's role in the development and functionality of smart buildings?

Episode 15 of the IFSEC Insider Security in Focus podcast looks to answer exactly these questions. Well, specifically, Kevin Brownell and Darren Chalmers Stevens from smart consultancy firm, Nuxform, do.

Both have a background and expertise in physical security technology, and so are perfectly positioned to answer these questions. They explain why the security team and the assets it owns are fundamental to smart buildings, as well as how managers and directors can ensure their voices are heard in the matter.

We also hear from Mike Brooman, CEO at master systems integrator, Vanti. Mike speaks to us from IFSEC in May at the Smart Buildings Immersive Experience, where he discusses the benefits of an integrated environment, where connected data points can provide genuine and actionable insight to make buildings more sustainable and secure.

Links to talking points:

• The central role of access control to the transition to smart buildings
• Latest IFSEC Insider articles on Smart Buildings
• IFSEC Interviews: Vanti – Empowering smarter buildings with integrated systems
• The next evolution of smart buildings – “Security will have a central role to play”
• IFSEC Insider's Wireless Access Control Report 2023

If you like the show, make sure to subscribe and follow the IFSEC Insider Security in Focus podcast. And, feel free to recommend the show to a friend or colleague!

For more content from IFSEC Insider, make sure to check our website: www.ifsecglobal.com and sign up to our weekly e-newsletters to get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox.

Episode 14 of the Security in Focus podcast welcomes Rajat Kotra, Group Director for Analytics and AI at Informa, as we discuss all things Artificial Intelligence.

Beginning with an introduction to what we mean when we're talking about AI, Rajat explains how the technology has developed in the last 15 years and why its usage and applications have exploded in 2023.

The episode then moves on to discuss ethical AI, and the importance of human intervention in any decision making process. It's a topic that the security sector is already grappling with, as professionals work out how best to use technology such as facial recognition and ANPR in a proportionate and trusted way.

Links to talking points:

• IBM's Watson computer vs Jeopardy contestants in 2011
• Latest IFSEC Insider articles on AI
• How is AI changing the security sector?
• Tensions rise over France’s plan for AI video surveillance at Paris Olympics
• Is AI-based false alarm filtering the beginning of the end for remote CCTV monitoring as we know it?
• IFSEC Insider's Wireless Access Control Report 2023

If you like the show, make sure to subscribe and follow the IFSEC Insider Security in Focus podcast. And, feel free to recommend the show to a friend or colleague!

For more content from IFSEC Insider, make sure to check our website: www.ifsecglobal.com and sign up to our weekly e-newsletters to get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox.

Join us for episode three of this exclusive mini-series, brought to you by the IFSEC Insider podcast team.

Across the series, we ask what the future looks like for the fire and security engineering sector. The well publicised skills gap, alongside ever-advancing technology and questions over competency are all discussed.

In this episode, we hear from Andy Reakes, Tom Brookes and Trevor Jenks. The trio spoke at FIREX in May 2023, presenting on how the industry is raising competency standards in fire and security - doing this through the development of the FESS apprenticeship and experienced worker assessment standards.

Andy Reakes of the Joint Industry Board and Electrotechnical Certification Scheme goes into more detail about all of this - covering everything from certifying individual competence, new standards frameworks, and career paths for engineers and technicians.

Links to talking points

• ‘Accessible to anyone’: How fire systems professionals can prove and expand competence
• Mind the gap – how FESS ECS cards are helping the push for improved competency standards across fire and security
• Electrotechnical Joint Industry Board
• All you need to know about the FESS apprenticeship standard in fire and security
• IFSEC Insider Security in Focus podcast
• Fire emergency and security systems technician apprenticeship standard

For more content from IFSEC Insider, make sure to check our website: www.ifsecglobal.com and sign up to our weekly e-newsletters to get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox.