With The Security Institute’s vice-president and founding chairman Geoff Whitfield in attendance alongside directors and members of the organisation, Mike Bluestone delivered his fulsome report which included details of several successes in the last 12 months, many of them due to the introduction of portfolios of responsibilities for the Board of Directors.
As a consequence, excellent progress has been made by The Security Institute of late, including the launch of a second Good Practice Guide on Risk Management, recognition and growth of the award-winning distance learning programme and significant consolidation of core Institute features (among them the CPD scheme, the mentoring programme, student membership and ongoing management of the Register of Chartered Security Professionals in conjunction with The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals).
The election of Institute directors saw Azeem Aleem, David Gill CSyP, Emma Shaw CSyP and Jerry Woods CSyP returned for further terms in office with The Security Institute, plus Guy Mathias (HLS), Sharon Williams (of the Morgans Hotel Group) and Richard Bell (from Transport for London) joining the Board as newly-elected directors.
Immediately following the AGM a number of presentations were made, including Chartered Security Professional certificates to Andy Smith (AIS Infosec), Chris Tomlinson (Arup Resilience, Security and Risk) and Gary Jackson (of the University of Southampton).
A Certificate of Appreciation was also bestowed upon Institute member Alan Gardner (London Borough of Enfield) for his commitment to introducing the concept of the National CCTV Standards Forum and engaging a key group of stakeholders over a period of many months, culminating in the Forum’s launch earlier this year.
Chairman’s Report to the Annual General Meeting
In an excellent Chairman’s Report, Mike Bluestone CSyP covered a raft of issues. Here’s what Mike had to say in full…
Ladies and Gentlemen… Allow me to extend to each and every one of you an especially warm welcome to this, our 2012 Annual General Meeting of The Security Institute.
Before I address the main content of my report, I would like to express my gratitude to Lord Alex Carlile for his ongoing support and for taking time out of his very busy diary to support The Security Institute. Unfortunately, due to his court commitments, Lord Alex is unable to be here at the AGM this year, and has asked me to pass on his apologies.
I know that I speak for every Institute member when I say that his continuing support for this organisation is so very much appreciated, and I will be passing on your thanks in person when I next see him.
I would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Joe Greenan and all of his colleagues here at Allen & Overy for hosting this evening’s AGM. In addition, a huge ‘Thank You’ to IFSEC International organiser UBM as the company is kindly sponsoring the cheese and wine reception at Jamie’s Bar and Restaurant on Bishopsgate following the conclusion of these proceedings.
Let me also pay tribute to our outstanding and truly dedicated Head Office Team, led by our very own indomitable and delightful Di Thomas who is ably supported by Karen Newman, Ciara Morgan, Vickie Bailiss and Paula Stanbridge. I am immensely proud of this team, whose commitment and dedication do us proud on a consistent basis and with good humour.
The challenges never cease and yet they continue to meet them. The team has worked especially hard, of course, to arrange and plan this meeting as well as well as the two-day presence at Counter Terror Expo. Those of you who attended that event would, I feel sure, have been struck by the outstanding design of our stand, as well as the constant flow of visitors and member volunteers who took part in the manning rota.
I also wish to thank affiliate Institute member Liz Lloyd, who has been providing additional back office support to the HQ Team and to my co-director, Mike Hurst, who has grasped the events portfolio with typical gusto and enthusiasm.
I also take this opportunity to acknowledge the major contribution made to the life of this Institute by my equally hard-working and dedicated fellow Board directors, several of whom are here today. The current Board is my loyal vice-chairman and director responsible for business, David Gill. There’s Emma Shaw, our finance director and chairman of the Validation Board, Dr Alison Wakefield (the Academic Board chairman), Garry Evanson (director of standards), Ken Livingstone (learning), Mike Hurst (director of events), Andrew Nicholls (recruitment director), Joe Greenan (legal and ethics director), Azeem Aleem (cyber security director) and Jerry Woods (director of publications). I thank you all.
I would also like to thank Mike O’Neill, Louise Lush and Maria Cox who have stepped down from the Board during the past year. I appreciate their help and understand their frustrations when “day job” activity gets in the way.
A special ‘Thank You’ too to The Security Institute’s company secretary Nigel Churton for his efficient handling of the formal part of today’s AGM and throughout the year.
Nigel is about to complete his one-year term as Master of The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals and, by all accounts, has done a superb job.
I thank all of you, our fantastic membership, for your support and feedback on a wide range of issues with so many of you volunteering your time over and over again, whether it be for our unique and much admired Validation Board or for the Academic Board, plus the many Working/Focus Goups whose individual and collective contribution to the daily life of this Institute continues to make SyI the envy of other professional bodies. Thank you all, and thank you for being here today.
Progress made during the last 12 months
Something which gave me personal joy the past year was to see my two predecessors, Geoff Whitfield and Bill Wyllie along with Stewart Kidd be awarded honorary posts as Institute vice-presidents. Stewart worked his sock offs for many years as the Validation Board Registrar and, by honouring our new vice-presidents in this way, we have acknowledged their vision, foresight and commitment to the foundations of this Institute.
I’m immensely proud to have been an early ‘convert’ to The Security Institute and to have been admitted back in 2000 as member Number 20.
Sadly, during the year we have also mourned the passing of a number of Institute members: Chris Hatton MSyI, Eric Tucker (an Honorary Fellow who joined IISec in 1974), Tony Hunter-Choat FSyI and former members Chris Hughes (who joined in 2000) and Bruce Woodcock (IISec director at the time of the merger in January 2008). We pay tribute to them. They will not be forgotten.
So, what has your Board and the HQ Team been up to over the past 12 months?
First, the Board continues to work using the portfolio system with all directors focused on their specific tasks and areas of responsibility. They are empowered to get on with their roles and maintain overall control over their specialist areas. Sadly, three directors have left the Board in the past year, including Maria Cox. Maria has left the security sector but, despite that fact, continues to help with the CPD programme she helped to create.
The Board’s objectives continue to be both growing the membership and enhancing the value of that membership.
What have we all achieved together in 2011, and how far have we come?
Taking firstly the size of our membership, we have now reached 1,200. In 2011 we saw 208 new joiners – a remarkable achievement given these tough economic times.
Particularly satisfying has been the ongoing progress following the launch in 2009 of the student membership programme, which has realised a further 27 new student members join us since the last AGM. The fact that young students are aspiring to make professional security practice a career of first choice, and are choosing the Institute as their professional ‘home’, must be a good thing for all of us.
Just recently, Institute Fellow Sharon Williams stepped forward to become the new lead for the student programme, and we wish Sharon every success in that new role.
Closely allied to the student membership programme is The Security Institute’s Wilf Knight Award, managed on behalf of the Institute by Garry Evanson. Last year we were able to congratulate Leonie Darbon and Matt Mackmin on receiving their joint awards at the prestigious Security Excellence Awards. This year, through our ongoing development programme with universities, we anticipate a wider take-up of entries as the Institute message is broadcast further. Invitations to participate in the 2012 Wilf Knight Award will shortly be issued.
Mentoring programme continues to succeed
Also helping to attract new student members is the ongoing success of the now established mentoring programme. This programme is not just for newcomers to the security sector: several mature members are successfully taking advantage of this valuable free member benefit.
Barrie Stewart has kindly agreed to be the new lead for the mentoring programme and we wish him every success in that most important role.
The enhancement in accreditation and recognition of our SyI Diploma and Certificate programmes (Levels 5 and 3 respectively), as delivered by Perpetuity Training, has led to a continuing increase in distance learning students. This has also generated welcome cash flow into the Institute’s coffers.
New arrangements are now in place with Leicester University and the University Centre at Blackburn College:
In terms of the University of Leicester, holders of our Diploma are now exempt from three complete modules (60 credits) on the foundation degree in Security and Risk Management, leaving just nine modules to complete. The foundation degree can be completed over two, three or even four years, and there’s also a top-up option to take it towards a BA degree.
With regard to the University Centre at Blackburn College, they are launching a foundation degree in Security Management in October this year which will be available through distance learning supported by weekend workshops. The course content has been carefully developed in conjunction with Ken Livingstone at Perpetuity Training, such that all the learning outcomes of our own Diploma in Security Management will be delivered through studying on this Blackburn programme.
As a result, on successful completion of the course in addition to the foundation degree, students will also acquire The Security Institute Diploma in Security Management, thus giving automatic full membership of The Security Institute (subject to application and vetting, of course).
All course students will be eligible to become Institute student members, and we will receive the usual course fee from the college so that there is no “watering down” of our revenue stream.
Both the Leicester and Blackburn courses are available now for this September’s intake. The university and college contact details are available on our website.
We also saw further Masterclass programmes on ‘Maintaining Security in a Recession’ and ‘Designing-Out Extremism and Crime in the Built Environment’ where delegates were able to make a detailed study of particular aspects of security.
We continue to be keen supporters of Professor Martin Gill’s Security Research Initiative, and we’ll be continuing our support for this superb initiative this year.
Engagement with the wider security community: standards development
Your Board also resolved to become more deeply engaged with other industry and sector-wide bodies as part of combined efforts to help raise standards in security.
In a new initiative for the sector, Institute member Alan Gardner has worked tirelessly in establishing the new National CCTV Standards Forum with the full support of the Institute. An idea to set up a special interest group within the Institute has grown into a national body, establishing its own identity and credibility, and supported by all the key players.
The Forum is a body of professional representatives of organisations that wish to be involved in improving the technical standards, use and deployment of CCTV, the delivery of professional training, development and standards promotion to CCTV managers and staff that perform those duties.
Advice and guidance will be provided to the Home Office on the way in which public space CCTV should be used and safeguards and reassurances offered to ensure the privacy of individuals’ data is also taken into account.
This unique group will transfer information and provide a link between the other identified sector areas to stimulate, discuss, develop and promote Best Practice in the CCTV industry. The Forum is made up of representatives from ACPO, the Metropolitan Police Service, the British Transport Police, NHS Trusts, the British Retail Consortium, the British Council of Shopping Centre Managers, the transport sector, Skills for Security, the Association of Train Operating Companies, the Public CCTV Managers Association, The Security Institute, the Association of Security Consultants (ASC) and the Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO).
In other standards development areas, we have taken part in a number of high level initiatives with the SIA, the BSIA, the Swedish Foretags University and Skills for Security. These initiatives have included involvement n seminars, conferences and workshops with the Risk and Security Management Forum and the ASC.
We’re also working together with the British Standards Institute, the BSIA and Skills for Security on the development of an approved Guidance Document for Security Management.
The Security Regulation Alliance and ASIS International
The Security Institute continues to support the work of the Security Regulation Alliance, and your chairman continues to represent the Institute on the SIA’s Strategic Consultation Group, ensuring that our voice will always be heard on the important issue of regulation.
We have also continued to build upon the excellent relationships with the organisers of IFSEC International and Counter-Terror Expo, and added the smaller Transport Security Exhibition and the Total Security Summit to our list of supported events.
CTX saw several Board and Institute members taking part in chairing sessions, or sitting on panels at these two important events, as will be the case for IFSEC International 2012. We’re also grateful to both organisations for their generous sponsorship of SyI events.
Indeed, let me take this opportunity to thank all of our sponsors over the past 12 months for their generous sponsorship. They are too numerous to mention them all now, but to all of our sponsors I say that your support is invaluable, and we salute you all!
The Institute also supported the recent ASIS European Security Conference in London, with your chairman taking part in a panel discussion on the professionalisation of the security industry.
The Security Institute’s Great Debate
The convening of interesting and varied members’ events has been another feature of the past twelve months. For example, we held the widely acclaimed ‘Great Debate’ in February when Institute Fellow Chris Brogan pulled together the panel of speakers comprising Dr Peter Speight (Reliance Security Services), Rachel Robinson (Liberty), Nick Pickles (Big Brother Watch) and Bill Butler (SIA CEO). Brian Sims (Hon FSyI and media solutions manager for UBM Live’s Security and Fire Portfolio) was the panel chairman.
Nor can we forget our third Remembrance Lecture held here at Allen & Overy at which General Sir Jack Deverall delivered such a poignant and fascinating address on the work of our Armed Forces and set out his views on various area of global conflict. We also had the privilege of Lord Bramall’s presence at that event.
These events don’t just happen, and I want to pay tribute to all of our members who volunteer their time to arrange and take part in them. Well done to you all!
Our voluntary CPD programme has been with us for over three years now. You will recall that it’s compulsory for student and graduate members and CSyPs and, as I mentioned earlier, dedicated former director Maria Cox continues to oversee the scheme.
Maria has reviewed the third year of responses and issued certificates. Although numbers of voluntary participants are lower than we would like, the change to compulsory CPD for student members, graduates and CSyPs will see numbers increase this year.
Of those that did participate in 2011, there is a marked improvement in the data being collated as participants become more familiar with the scheme. The new Scoring Matrix 4 developed by the Validation Board Working Group now gives onepoint per completed CPD year: especially useful for those working towards revalidation.
Skills for Security, IFSEC International/UBM, Counter Terror Expo, ASIS International, ASC, PISF, TINYg, Transport Security and ADS are just some of the organisations who recognise our scheme, carry its logo on the marketing material for their learning events and offer double points for attendance.
Good Practice Guide on Security Risk Management
During the past 12 months we have also witnessed the publication and launch of the second in our new series of Good Practice Guides, this one covering the subject of ‘Security Risk Management’ (the authors being Institute members Jamie Stephen, Phil Moch, Gary Poole, Mark Chapple and Glen Kitteringham), with yet a third Guide being launched this month on CCTV. That one’s written by Gordon Tyerman, Bill Wyllie, Chris Brogan, Robert Rodgers, Emma Shaw and Alastair Freeborn.
The production of our Good Practice Guides continues to be managed most ably by Jerry Woods, and is supported by a number of volunteer members who have been involved in the proof-reading and editing stages. To all you, I say a huge ‘Thank You’! I also commend these Guides to you all as useful and practical reference material.
Work is also about to start on the fourth guide concentrating on security guarding services. If you would like to volunteer to be involved, please contact Jerry Woods.
On the International front, we have continued our co-operation with the South African Institute of Security, as well as with Foretags College in Sweden (the Security Faculty of Stockholm University).
Progress towards the Royal Charter
I recently wrote to every member regarding the latest news on our efforts to achieve a Royal Charter for the Institute. While the Privy Council Office acknowledged the fact that the Institute has fulfilled many of the criteria necessary to achieve Chartered status, we have more work to do.
As a result of that feedback I have broadened the membership of the Royal Charter Steering Group, which is now joined by Baroness Ruth Henig (chairman of the Security Industry Authority).
I call upon you all to be patient while we get our ducks in a row for the next phase of our application. It will take time, but I’m confident that we will achieve the goal we seek. We have great support from many influential quarters, and I would remind you of the 50 letters of support for the original application.
One of the challenges is for the Institute to raise its profile in the media, and for Institute subject matter experts to be quoted on security topics of national and global interest. We will meet that challenge.
Equally, we respect the discerning nature of the Chartered Status process, and accept that it won’t be a quick win. However, once achieved, the granting of our Charter will be that much sweeter.
I can assure you that our determination to achieve the Charter is unbreakable!
Register of Chartered Security Professionals
On a parallel theme, the Register of Chartered Security Professionals is now nearly one year old. Launched in June 2011 and owned by The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals, the Register has been managed and operated by The Security Institute since its inception.
It’s worth reminding ourselves that attainment of this certification, namely CSyP, places registrants on a par with other recognised professionals, be they lawyers, chartered engineers, accountants or architects, etc.
The Chartered Security Professionals Registration Authority overseas the integrity of the Register and its registrants, and is chaired by Lord Carlile. David Gill is the very effective registrar, and Louise Lush and I sit as members of the Registration Authority which is co-ordinated by Di Thomas.
To date, 24 people have been admitted to the Register, including the latest CSyP Jason Brown (admitted on Friday 27th April) who is based in Australia with Thales. Gary Jackson, Matt Brittle, Chris Tomlinson and Andy Smith are all attending the AGM to have their CSyP certificates presented.
My fervent hope is that many more Institute members and Fellows will seek to become CSyPs. Not everyone will or can make the grade. The requirements are tough, but it’s inevitable that the Institute will provide the major pool of new registrants.
As I said last year, the Register does not seek to replace, and indeed cannot replace the Institute as the natural home and body for the generic pool of security professionals. It is for that very reason that having our own Charter will be so important to us, so that members and Fellows who do not seek to become, or who are not yet qualified to become CSyPs can nevertheless be recognised for their many skills, achievements and experience as members or Fellows of the Chartered Security Institute.
Cyber security in focus
As for the remainder of this year, we remain committed to consolidating and developing all of the initiatives which I have highlighted today, with particular emphasis on the next crucial stage of our application for the Royal Charter.
We are also actively engaging with other security bodies and associations to explore areas of closer co-operation. In this regard, I’m delighted that, earlier this year, the Institute signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding with the leading security industry Trade Association that is ADS. This arrangement opens up opportunities for the Institute to significantly reach out to a larger pool of potential members as well as enhancing our profile at leading events including the Farnborough International Air Show, not to mention other high profile defence and global security events.
We look forward to a long and successful relationship with ADS.
With the ever increasing concerns relating to cyber security, the Board has resolved to widen our engagement in that field of activity. This initiative is being led by our director of cyber risk/research, Azeem Aleem. Azeem has been driving the cyber threat agenda through a converged strategic approach.
From a recent Institute e-news, members would have seen that we been actively participating in the development of convergence as a methodology. Our work to date with PWC, NFA, IISP and other security bodies has been endorsed by many companies.
Members will be interested to hear that we are developing a new Centre for Cyber Security in co-operation with the University of Portsmouth which will serve the purpose of educating members towards the latest cyber threats that businesses are facing and the preventive strategies to tackle it.
This project is scheduled to be up-and-running by December 2012. If you wish to be part of this initiative do let us know.
Further, and in the same vein, during the past year contributions made by Institute members to Portsmouth University-based cyber security projects included an examination of Internet auction fraud and a report addressing design/methodology/approach, which presented the findings of an original research survey (of 200 IT professionals working both in the public and private sectors) undertaken to examine their privacy and data security concerns associated with the Cloud platform.
This report will be available online from next month.
In addition, in recent weeks we have broadened our contacts with the Cyber Security Challenge (CSC), a non-profit making body dedicated to harnessing the IT talent among young people by influencing and assisting them to obtain gainful employment in that arena.
Cyber Security Challenge has recognised the part that this Institute can play in providing a long-term ‘home’ for these young people, and we will shortly be entering into a more formal arrangement with CSC to do just that.
Thoughts on the road ahead in 2012 and beyond
As to the future, allow me to vent my own thoughts on the road ahead:
As an Institute, we have succeeded in meeting the challenges of the economic recession and expanded. I’m pleased to report that our finances continue to be very sound indeed. Our outstanding finance director, Emma Shaw, keeps us on track with professional budgeting, forecasting and reporting so that the Board is consistently well informed. This enables us to be confident in our financial decision-making. Our reputation remains strong and is growing.
We are listened to, which means that every one of your own opinions and concerns has a value and is also listened to.
Please continue to share your thoughts with us – by phone or e-mail or by attending meetings or communicating through our increasingly popular LinkedIn Group. We will always work hard to fly your flag on an issue of concern, but we need be made aware of your concerns. We will always try our best for you all because this is your Institute!
Along with the rest of UK plc, the security industry is not immune from the ongoing instability in the global economy. Financial pressures are keeping all of us on our toes. The buying public – your clients, your customers and end users – continue to demand increased professionalism and higher standards. They don’t always want to pay for it, but they demand it nevertheless!
Terrorism, single-issue extremism, direct action groups and crime are the catalysts for that. More and more people continue to turn to the private security world to help keep them safe and secure.
I am proud of this Institute and proud of our members. You continue to volunteer in large numbers. You support me, the Board and our HQ Team. You volunteer for the Validation Board, the AB and other Working Groups and Focus Groups. You take part in consultation processes. You have stepped forward to become Chartered Security Professionals. You are supporting our efforts to obtain a Royal Charter. You continue to pay your subscription charges and you consistently introduce new members.
For all of the above, I thank you… And, by the way, we are always interested in seeing more volunteers stepping forward.
I repeat the calls I have made during the past three years to the whole Institute membership to get behind your Board, help us to achieve Chartered status, help us to raise funds and help us to sponsor events.
We know that you are there for the Institute – and we are here for you.
Mike Bluestone CSyP is chairman of The Security Institute
