The page was created as part of the Cross-sector Safety and Security Communications project (CSSC), an information-sharing initiative developed by the Metropolitan Police Service, the Home Office and London First and endorsed by UK organisations and businesses across 23 sectors (including security, transport, hospitality and retail).
David Evans, project director for London 2012 at the BSIA and one of the sector leads for the project, commented: “The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games have provided public and private sectors across the UK with a unique opportunity to increase engagement to quickly and effectively communicate messages that may require the attention of as broad an audience as possible. The BSIA believes this initiative will have a significantly positive impact on the safety and security of businesses across the capital throughout Games time.”
The CSSC was set up with the aim of delivering timely and authoritative safety and security messages – supplied by the Metropolitan Police Service and other UK agencies and not sensitive in nature – to a range of UK industries, their employees (including office-based, field and contracted staff) and customers potentially affected by them.
The security sector is extremely well represented as part of the project, with 17 organisations currently involved.
“The BSIA is pleased to be an active part of this project,” added Evans, “and we have launched this web page to complement our current cascading plan aimed at keeping BSIA members, their customers and website visitors updated with the information received from it.”
To visit the BSIA’s dedicated CSSC web page click here.
BSIA’s ID Section highlights importance of industry standards
With the average data breach costing UK firms around GB pound 1.9 million on an annual basis1, and the new European data privacy framework asking for greater commitment from businesses on the way they handle data security, the BSIA’s Information Destruction Section is urging end users to understand how compliance with relevant industry standards can actively guarantee an improved level of protection against data breaches.
“With the wide range of products and services available within the Information Destruction industry, establishing whether a security provider complies to the relevant national and European standards should be an important part of the procurement process for companies of all sizes such that they ensure the quality and reliability of the suppliers selected,” asserted Anthony Pearlgood, chairman of the BSIA’s Information Destruction Section.
“Unfortunately, however, this is not always the case, as standards can be technical in nature and end users may sometimes fail to fully understand their scope and importance.”
To overcome this issue and further highlight the benefits of these documents, the BSIA section that deals with the destruction of confidential waste and material has just launched a one-page informational leaflet targeted at end users who are considering procuring information destruction services. This easy-to-understand, handy document provides the key points of consideration of EN15713:2009, the European standard for the sector. The standard provides organisations with recommendations for the management and control, collection, transportation and destruction of confidential material as well as its recycling to ensure such material is disposed of securely and safely.
“The BSIA’s Information Destruction Section played an active part in the development of the EN15713 standard to provide real specifications on how the processes should be handled within our industry,” added Pearlgood. “The sensitive nature of the documents and materials we deal with requires tight procedures in order to ensure maximum security for information. This is why understanding the implications of the standards is important in order to make informed procurement decisions.”
Research carried out by the BSIA
Research conducted last year by the Trade Association revealed that only 50% of facilities managers who have taken steps to outsource data disposal knew whether or not their provider actually complied with the European Standard EN15713.
“This is concerning,” stressed Pearlgood, “as we believe this should be one of the first questions asked of any secure waste disposal business by a prospective customer.”
To download a copy of the EN15713 document produced by the BSIA’s Information Destruction Section visit the BSIA’s publications page and search for form number 141.
Members of the BSIA’s Information Destruction Section not only comply to the standard and incorporate it in their quality processes, but also all of them share a real commitment towards professionalism and transparency in the service they provide by complying to their own Code of Practice while meeting the Association’s own strict criteria.
One of the ID Section’s objectives since its inception eleven years ago has been to educate customers and users of information destruction services in order to allow them to procure trusted and professional information destruction measures.
The ID Section is also keen on sharing Best Practice among fellow industry professionals, and has established an annual Information Destruction Conference and Exhibition for members and non-BSIA members alike that aims at doing just that.
2012’s edition of this event will take place on 30 May at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham. For information and bookings visit the web page
Reference
1Findings from research conducted by security firm Symantec
