At a time when the Government has been forced to rescue a number of banks, including a GB pound 20 million bailout of Royal Bank of Scotland, national debt is now in excess of GB pound 700 billion.
Many security professionals now fear that national security spend will inevitably decrease as a result of a lack of available funds. In turn, this will lead to an increased threat of terror attacks.
Anthony Hildebrand, editor of industry-leading website info4security, said: “Any reduction in security spending is likely to have an adverse impact on our readiness to tackle terrorist threats and other security problems.
“It stands to reason – resources can’t simply be imagined into existence without funding. And re-allocating existing resources will lead to holes in the national security strategy.
“It’s important at this time that the Government is talking to the security industry about the best way to tackle national security threats, and how best to take advantage of developments in security technology.
“Unfortunately, if there is a reduction in security spending, the consequences could be dire.”
Explore concerns
IFSEC 2009 will provide the platform to explore these concerns. Day one of the IFSEC Conference will look at ‘Global, National and Local Protection’, focusing on three different modules – Global Terror, Critical National Infrastructure and Crisis Management.
Many top level speakers will be presenting throughout the day, including DCI Chris Phillips, Head of the National Counter Terrorism Security Office; Commander Sue Akers, Head of Organised Crime and Criminal Networks at the Specialist Crime Directorate; and Stephen Cooper, Head of Security at the Olympic Delivery Authority.
James Blue, Director of Fire & Security at UBM Live, organisers of IFSEC, said: “We currently find ourselves in unprecedented economic circumstances. With many of the UK’s leading banks needing emergency funding from the government, it is inevitable that spend will be cut in other areas.
“Security professionals are evidently concerned that national security is one of the areas to be cut back.
“It is for this reason that we have devoted a whole day at the IFSEC Conference to issues surrounding national security. With a roster of top-level speakers presenting throughout the day, we are confident we will be able to address everybody’s concerns.”
Industry leaders
Many industry-leading companies who provide counter terror products and services will be exhibiting at IFSEC 2009, including Assa Abloy Group, CitySync Ltd, Gallagher Security Management Systems, Hill & Smith Ltd, L-3 Security & Detection Systems, LPCB (BRE Global Ltd), MEL Secure Systems Ltd, Navtech Radar Ltd, Rapiscan Systems, Scanna MSC Ltd, Martin Security Smoke and Synectics Surveillance Technology.
IFSEC 2009, the world’s largest annual security event, is co-located with The Facilities Show, Fire & Rescue, International Firex and Safety & Health Expo at NEC Birmingham and will take place from 11-14 May 2009.
Companies interested in exhibiting at the 2009 event should contact Charlie Cracknell on +44 (0)20 7921 8069 or at [email protected].
