Ferrie, who has also served as chairman of CameraWatch, will now retire from the Board on 28 June along with Syd Heals, another founder member and the organisation’s technical director.
“I know I speak for Syd when I thank the CameraWatch Board, its cornerstone members and also its Forum members for their continuous support,” enthused Ferrie.
“Leading CameraWatch since its inception has been a privilege. After 45 years in the fight for public safety, it’s now the right time for me to move on. I have thoroughly enjoyed my spell in charge, and I wish Paul Mackie and his new team all the very best in the future.”
Syd Heals commented: “My business commitments at Niscayah no longer allow me the time needed to support CameraWatch, but Niscayah will remain committed to the aims and objectives of the organisation. I have seen CameraWatch go from strength to strength. It’s now a formidable authority in raising standards. In fact, it has become the CCTV industry’s ‘Watchdog’ in terms of Data Protection Act compliance. I have certainly enjoyed my time in support of raising standards in the CCTV industry.”
Mackie, who currently serves as CameraWatch’s compliance director, will assume the CEO’s role at the UK’s leading CCTV Data Protection compliance advisory body as of 1 July 2011.
Deplorable state of Data Protection Act compliance
“CameraWatch was conceived in 2006 and then launched in 2007 out of a need to highlight the deplorable state of Data Protection Act compliance across the CCTV industry,” explained Ferrie in an exclusive interview with SMT Online, the organisation’s preferred media partner.
“As an ex-senior police officer and retired group head of security for RBS, I have seen the best and worst of CCTV systems and their usage,” he continued. “Without doubt the main offenders are still the private sector. It has made my blood boil to see the total disregard by large and small businesses in that sector resulting in court cases being dropped due to the simple fact that the CCTV images submitted in evidence were almost useless and certainly not up to evidential standard.”
In impassioned mode, Ferrie added: “I have first-hand experience of the importance of correct CCTV images in murder, bank robbery and fraud cases and how vital evidence can be lost by ineffective CCTV systems.”
As the outgoing CEO, Ferrie was quick to point out what he feels have been the highpoints of his five years at the top.
“CameraWatch has been part-instrumental in the introduction of new CCTV guidelines being introduced by the UK Government1 [these are due in late 2011] and the Scottish Government2 [issued March 2011], the creation of the Camerawatch Standard for CCTV Compliance (now recommended by the Security Industry Authority for its own Approved Contractor Scheme), the CameraWatch Platinum Assessment Award Scheme and the CameraWatch Lifecycle Guide to CCTV Compliance.”
The founder members of CameraWatch had the vision to identify the problems and to highlight a very serious message of non-compliance of CCTV systems to users. It has also made the public aware of their rights.
Information Commissioner’s Office in focus
“My biggest disappointments,” outlined Ferrie, “are with the Information Commissioner’s Office who, I regret to say, have simply ‘done a Nelson’ by turning a blind eye to the compliance misdemeanours of the CCTV industry in favour of their other activity – the loss or theft of data, specifically IT and paper-based information. CCTV images are data, so why the disinterest?”
Ferrie is also disappointed with another aspect of the CCTV world. “I also have to ask: ‘What has happened to the interim CCTV regulator?’ This appointment in 2009 should have set the CCTV industry alight, but all we have got to date is a damp squib. This really does not promote confidence in the regulation of the industry.”
Since 2006, CameraWatch has worked tirelessly through both its Forum and Board to highlight the problems of ‘the real world’ of CCTV compliance. Its constant efforts have led to a greater understanding of the importance of CCTV, Data Protection Act compliance and surveillance’s role in public safety.
“By working in partnership and seeking the advice of CameraWatch,” affirmed Ferrie, public and private sector CCTV users now understand that, by simply complying with the law, they can have a top class CCTV that will defeat the criminal instead of simply harbouring a costly, ineffective system which, in point of fact, may bring legal challenges upon them.”
Plotting a new course for CameraWatch: five-year ‘declaration of intent’
Incoming CEO Paul Mackie also spoke exclusively to SMT Online.
“I’m delighted to follow in Gordon Ferrie’s footsteps,” he stated. “As a fellow founder of CameraWatch, I have worked alongside Gordon for the last five years. His contribution to Data Protection Act compliance in relation to CCTV is immeasurable. He has been instrumental in the introduction of many changes, none less than seeing CameraWatch through the challenges of its first five years of operation.”
Mackie continued: “Gordon has worked tirelessly to ensure that the UK and Scottish Governments, as well as organisations in both the private and public sectors, recognise that CCTV Data Protection Act compliance is a ‘must have’ and not a ‘nice to have’. What the public wants is the confidence that when CCTV is ‘called into the dock’ it can stand its full height and make the difference between the criminal walking free or being incarcerated.”
Gordon Ferrie believes that CCTV must ‘get it right first time’ and, according to Mackie (who also gave “huge thanks” to Syd Heals for his “massive contribution” to CameraWatch), this is the path that CameraWatch will continue to tread.
“Hopefully, Gordon can now use his free time to improve his golf and bring it back to pre-CameraWatch days standard! He also has new grandchildren in his life and is very much looking forward to spending a lot more time with them.”
Mackie agrees that current progress towards Data Protection Act compliance is positive but realises that CameraWatch must now adapt its own way of working to meet the new challenges of an ever-expanding Surveillance State.
Education and awareness linked to standards and training
As far as Mackie’s concerned, education and awareness linked to sandards, training and Health and Safety equals business partnerships.
Mackie concurs that CameraWatch has completed its five-year programme of raising the issue of non-compliant CCTV. Thus, with the original Terms of Reference addressed, there’s now a real opportunity for the organisation to take a further lead by:
opening the concept to key businesses that, by flying the CameraWatch ‘Kite Mark’, this will mean recognition of that business in raising the company’s standards, profiling its own quality and, at the same time, embracing partner relations linked to profit
ensuring that CCTV is no longer seen to be simply a security system but a safety system designed to protect the public at large
the introduction of a new ‘Industry Regulation in CCTV’ compliance document backed by legislation and fully enforced to ensure Human Rights are addressed at all times
the introduction of the first phase of all-new training packages aimed at CCTV compliance with the Data Protection Act and linked to a new communications service supported by the business community
being seen to be the forerunner in embracing modern CCTV systems as life safety and critical systems under Health and Safety legislation (“the process by which we stay safe, stay the right side of legislation and ensure our business processes meet the required standards”)
Embracing the CCTV industry and end users
Mackie intends that, going forward, CameraWatch will “fully embrace” the CCTV industry and its end users.
“This will result in a reduction of direct criticism,” he suggested, “and encourage non-compliant users to feel uninhibited when seeking expert support and guidance. CameraWatch is adamant that this can be achieved at low or indeed no cost to the user. The public demands a safe environment, and this state of affairs can be achieved if we all work together through the creation of new business partnerships.”
CameraWatch is understandably thrilled to once again have the full backing of Norbain in relation to this hugely important next step.
“CameraWatch is an extremely worthwhile initiative, and its professional focus on Best Practice is very much in line with our own values,” commented Barry Shakespeare, Norbain’s managing director.
“As CameraWatch enters the next chapter of its evolution we are delighted to offer our continued close support.”
In closing our interview, Mackie was keen to stress that Gordon Ferrie’s expertise will not be totally lost to CameraWatch.
Apparently, the latter has already been asked to return and take on “an exciting and new specific project role” after a suitable break, by which time the new ways of working for the organisation will have settled in.
More specifically, Ferrie will look to tackle the gaining of recognition for CCTV being introduced into Health & Safety legislation.
References
1Scottish Government Strategy for Public Space CCTV, March 2011
2UK Government Protection of Freedoms Bill CCTV Consultation Document, 2011
Further information on CameraWatch
CameraWatch is a group aimed at promoting awareness and compliance of the Data Protection Act for camera surveillance in both the private and public sectors. The organisation has the support of the industry regulator, namely the Information Commissioner’s Office.
CameraWatch is an independent, not-for-profit, self-funding advisory body* that supports the understanding of CCTV and compliance with current policy and legislation, removing risks relating to data protection and other legal non-compliance.
CameraWatch represents the interests of members through liaison with legislative, prosecution and Government organisations throughout the UK and the EU.
In consultation with the Information Commissioner’s Office, the organisation facilitates the implementation of the ICO’s CCTV Code of Practice and builds up and disseminates Best Practice guidelines designed to support compliance in the use of CCTV systems, their operation and procedures and (where appropriate) prosecutions using CCTV evidence.
CameraWatch offers support tailored to meet the needs of specific organisations, as well as the general public. To these ends, the organisation undertakes R&D project work and market research.
Promotion of data-sharing forums
CameraWatch also promotes regular meetings/seminars and data-sharing forums with the police and law enforcement agencies, the ICO and other security working groups, suppliers/manufacturers and installers and CCTV applications users from all affected sectors (such as retail, transport, finance, insurance, property management and construction, the licensed trade, industry consultants, the security industry, the legal profession, local authorities and other related bodies).
CameraWatch’s activities are currently funded by industry sponsorship and membership fees.
All you need to know about the personnel
As stated, CameraWatch’s outgoing CEO Gordon Ferrie is a recognised expert in banking security. He was the director of the Fraud Squad and deputy head of CID operations at Strathclyde Police, and is a former worldwide head of security for the Royal Bank of Scotland Group.
Currently a director of ComSec, Ferrie has served as the CEO of CameraWatch in a volunteer capacity.
Paul Mackie is a recognised expert in the field of Data Protection Act compliance for CCTV systems. He boasts a 30-year CV in IT with both international blue chip companies and also national Governments. This work has included dealing with the compliance and legislation of industry software.
Although about to start his CEO role, Mackie also continues as compliance director for the organisation.
Outgoing technical advisor Syd Heals has worked within the security systems industry, both in the UK and internationally, since 1978. He has been involved in CCTV projects in all major commercial and industrial sectors, with specific responsibilities for multi-site installations at blue chip corporates including RBS, HBOS, HSBC and Lloyds TSB.
Heals is currently chief operating officer for Niscayah.
Alex MacLeod is CameraWatch’s communications, marketing and membership director. He joined the business in January this year, his remit being to promote CameraWatch to all sectors in order that ‘compliance’ becomes a ‘watch-word’ in the industry.
Douglas Brotherston is CameraWatch’s company secretary. He’s a qualified chartered accountant who has extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector. Brotherston runs his own practice specialising in accountancy, business management and strategic planning consultancy
*CameraWatch is a company limited by guarantee and recognised by HMRC as a not-for-profit organisation
Access more detail on the CameraWatch website (a dedicated link is provided at the foot of this page)