Security Matters Podcast Security Matters

Episode 30 of the Security Matters Podcast includes three exclusive interviews. Brian hears from Barrie Millett (director of special projects and industry engagement at Mitie Security), Howard Lang (president and CEO at Gunnebo Entrance Control) and Ric Martin, the CEO of Pinnacle Systems.

A former Royal Marine, Barrie is a specialist in the field of security and resilience strategy having worked for international organisations including GE and E.ON. An Honorary Life Vice-President of ASIS International’s UK Chapter, he joined Mitie back in April 2020. In conversation with Brian, Barrie looks at career paths for today’s professionals and also the roadmap for the sector in the immediate future.

A graduate in civil engineering from Leeds University, and also the holder of a marketing degree from Hull University, Howard Lang is a member of the Gunnebo Group executive team and presently tasked with driving growth in line with company strategy. On this occasion, Howard covers numerous topics, including connected gate solutions and the evolution of entrance control technology.

Pinnacle Systems is a specialist provider of an open integration platform for the electronic security market. In tandem with offering an overview of the business, Ric Martin focuses on Internet of Things and cloud technology and also concentrates on key trends impacting the security industry.

Major news stories featured on this episode encompass the latest developments re: Martyn’s Law, the planned closure of BT Redcare’s operations in 2025 and the startling headline figures emerging from the British Retail Consortium’s Retail Crime Survey 2022-2023.

Episode 29 of the Security Matters Podcast features Brian interviewing Michelle Kradolfer (national manager and Internet of Things technical officer for Secured by Design at Police Crime Prevention Initiatives) and Steve Haworth (CEO at Vemotion).

Michelle boasts extensive knowledge of the cyber crime, cyber security and Internet of Things landscapes, duly leading on Secured by Design’s Secure Connected Device accreditation scheme. In addition to discussing that particular scheme, Michelle evaluates the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act and what it means for today’s organisations.

Vemotion specialises in live, real-time wireless video transmission and compression for mobile video surveillance over GPRS, 5G, Wi-Fi, satellite networks and broadband. Steve Howarth began his role at the business back in April 2020. In conversation with Brian, Steve turns his attentions towards the security of today’s CCTV regimes.

Once again, there’s a thorough round-up of major news stories impacting the security sector. We examine the latest statistics emanating from the ECHO initiative, the Security Industry Authority’s response to the recent File on 4 investigation into security training and feedback from the International Security Expo and the International Cyber Expo with record attendances unveiled by organiser Nineteen Group.

In addition, the Public Sector Fraud Authority has saved taxpayers £311 million in its first year of operation. Security Matters analyses the detail behind the top line figures.

Episode 28 of the Security Matters Podcast encompasses a trio of interviews with leading sector practitioners. Brian hears from Tony Porter OBE (chief privacy officer at Corsight AI) and Dr Nicole Benjamin-Fink. The duo focus squarely on facial recognition technology and its role in the law enforcement domain.

In addition, Brian chats with Satia Rai (head of diversity, inclusion and belonging at Securitas and also the CEO of the International Professional Security Association). Satia maps out her new role at Securitas and also examines the key priorities for the security business sector in times ahead.

Our fourth guest on Episode 28 is Stuart Galloway, senior associate at WSG Associates (the company providing business and education support services across the security sector). For the purposes of the Security Matters Podcast, Stuart concentrates on the training piece and most notably ways in which to enhance the levels of knowledge, understanding and skills exhibited by individual members of today’s security teams.

As always, there’s a comprehensive round-up of major news stories currently impacting the security industry. We examine the new Level 2 Professional Security Operative apprenticeship, the latest iteration of the National Risk Register issued by central Government and the publication of Secured by Design’s Commercial Guide 2023.

Further, the National Cyber Security Centre has announced a change to its assured Cyber Incident Response scheme with the introduction of a new level. Security Matters highlights the core detail.

Episode 27 of the Security Matters Podcast includes two key interviews. First, Brian chats with Pauline Norstrom (the founder of Anekanta Consulting and Anekanta AI). An Honorary Member and former chair of the British Security Industry Association, Pauline turns her attentions towards regulation in the Artificial Intelligence space and also touches on the important subjects of generative Artificial Intelligence and Artificial General Intelligence.

Also on Episode 27, Brian hears from Mark Wall (managing director at Wall2Wall Security, the company he founded in 2022 that’s offering bespoke and targeted sales and marketing support across the security sector). Mark examines how the business came to fruition and outlines his views on the current state of the market. Further, there’s discussion on how the relationship between building design and security will evolve in times ahead.

As always, there’s a detailed round-up of several major news stories impacting the security industry. We report on Julie Nel’s recent appointment as chair of The Security Institute, the Government’s decision not to take business licensing forward in the wake of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill being introduced to Parliament and the perceived need for change among security system distributors.

Last, but not least, we also concentrate on a reprimand issued to the Ministry of Justice by the Information Commissioner’s Office after confidential waste documents were left in an unsecured prison holding area.

Episode 26 of the Security Matters Podcast features exclusive interviews with three industry practitioners. First of all, Brian hears from Peter French MBE (managing director of security sector recruitment specialist SSR Personnel), who first appeared as our guest on Episode 12. Another in-depth discussion involves Peter – a Past-Master of The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals and a Certified Protection Professional – focusing on several key issues of the day, among them skills development for front line security practitioners, how the profession of security is being viewed at the present time, current priorities for Chief Security Officers and the impact of Artificial Intelligence across the sector.
Further, Brian chats with Mark Horton (vice-president at Bandweaver, the perimeter security systems developer). Mark turns his attentions towards the application of fiber optic technology for security projects. There’s a concentration on distributed acoustic sensing and a discussion around cost and maintenance regimes. In addition, Mark outlines those sectors in which the demand for perimeter intrusion detection systems is rising and those regions where Bandweaver itself is gaining traction for its solutions.
Our third guest on this edition of the Security Matters Podcast is David Dunnagan, managing director for Chubb Fire and Security in the UK and Ireland. On this occasion, David answers some core questions on the subject of smart buildings and the various technologies underpinning them with a particular reference to security regimes.
In addition, there’s a detailed round-up of several major news stories from the security world. We report on Nick Ross CBE being made president of the British Security Industry Association, the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act (which comes into force next April), the appointment of Anne Keast-Butler to succeed Sir Jeremy Fleming as director of GCHQ and the publication of the Business Continuity Institute’s Operational Resilience Report 2023. There’s also news of Gate Safe’s Gate Safety by Design initiative and significant contract wins for G4S Secure Solutions UK and Corps Security.

Episode 25 of the Security Matters Podcast features Brian chatting with David Rubens (executive director at the Institute of Strategic Risk Management), who first appeared as our guest on Episode 6. During another excellent and fascinating conversation, this time around David – whose latest book entitled ‘Strategic Risk and Crisis Management’ has just been published – turns his attentions towards change management in the sector, the impact of technology and developments in academia before proceeding to offer sage advice for anyone seeking to begin their career journey within the realms of security and risk management.

In addition, Brian hears from Ben Durrant (sales engineering team leader at Genetec) and Jamie Donald, programme director for technology partners at Axis Communications. In tandem, Ben and Jamie examine the key points of detail underpinning the all-new Axis Powered by Genetec programme, duly outlining how this timely venture between the unified physical security software and network camera specialists will positively impact system integrators and the supply chain.

As always, there’s a comprehensive round-up and analysis of several major news stories emerging in the security world. On this occasion, we review Mitie’s £1.2 million acquisition of the Linx International Group, an assessment of the Facewatch live facial recognition system recently completed by the Information Commissioner’s Office, the launch of the Joint International Crime Centre and also the retirement of Alex Carmichael, who has expertly served the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board in the role of chief executive since 2015.