Security Matters Podcast

Security Matters

The Security Matters Podcast is published monthly and hosted by the magazine’s Editor Brian Sims. In each episode, Brian reports on and analyses the latest UK security industry news and also interviews leading professionals from the sector. The Security Matters Podcast is sponsored by The Security Event, which takes place on 8-10 April 2025 at the NEC in Birmingham. To register for your free pass to the show visit www.thesecurityevent.co.uk For all the latest security industry news and opinion visit www.securitymattersmagazine.com

  1. Jun 15

    Security Matters Podcast - Episode 38

    Episode 38 of the Security Matters Podcast includes three exclusive interviews featuring John Lodge (director of service growth at Chubb Fire and Security), Olof Sandberg (product manager for locking solutions at Gunnebo Safe Storage) and AddSecure’s UK sales director Chris Wimshurst. John Lodge joined Chubb Fire and Security back in April 2017. During our interview, John focuses on connected services, emerging trends and also how Artificial Intelligence will shape the security business sector in the future. Olof Sandberg is a graduate of the Faculty of Engineering at Lund University in southern Sweden and has worked at both Sony Ericsson and Sony Mobile Communications in project management roles. He moved to Gunnebo Safe Storage from ASSA ABLOY in June 2023. On this occasion, Olof’s core focus is connected locks and the main considerations to be observed when adopting such solutions. Our final guest on Episode 38, Chris Wimshurst’s CV to date includes several head of sales and national sales director roles where he has successfully built high-performing teams, led on major bids and tenders and driven sustained revenue performance. At present, Chris is focused on strengthening AddSecure’s UK sales strategy, building a high-performing national team and accelerating growth. In conversation with Brian, Chris concentrates on Martyn’s Law and what organisations and their management teams need to put in place in order to prepare for enforcement of the new legislation. Industry news stories highlighted include a recently published report on refund fraud produced by the University of Portsmouth in partnerships with Cifas, analysis of activist activity carried out by the Risk Intelligence Centre at Securitas and The Security Institute signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Buckinghamshire New University.

    49 min
  2. 10/23/2025

    Security Matters Podcast - Episode 36

    Episode 36 of the Security Matters Podcast includes exclusive interviews with Julie Barker (chief operating officer for the Association of University Chief Security Officers) and Findlay Whitelaw (security research specialist and strategist at Exabeam, the business that provides security analytics and incident response solutions). On this occasion, Julie examines the diligent work of the Association of University Chief Security Officers and the challenges facing university security teams when it comes to delivering on the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, also known as Martyn’s Law. Findlay Whitelaw is a recognised thought leader, with her career to date spanning consultancy and leadership roles. A published author and award-winning practitioner, Findlay’s professional interests include tackling human-centric cyber risks and leveraging advanced technologies to address modern challenges. In conversation with Brian, Findlay focuses on the insider risk, espionage and data theft and proceeds to outline how today’s organisations can mitigate the threat. Industry news stories featured include Sarah Austerberry’s appointment in the role of CEO at The Security Institute, the volume of ‘nationally significant’ cyber attacks impacting the UK (as reported by the National Cyber Security Centre in its recently published Annual Review), the formation of the S12 Security Guarding Leadership Group and the 2026 Fire and Security Matters Awards being opened for entries by Western Business Media.

    35 min
  3. 01/29/2025

    Security Matters Podcast - Episode 33

    Episode 33 of the Security Matters Podcast includes Brian interviewing David Scott (managing director at national training provider Skills for Security) and Christian Have, CTO at Logpoint (the dedicated European provider of a converged cyber security platform that empowers organisations to thrive by delivering threat detection and incident response solutions). First appearing as our guest on Episode 8 back in July 2020, this time around David Scott concentrates on bridging the skills gap and shaping security apprenticeships to meet technology and industry-induced change. Based in Copenhagen, Christian Have joined the team at Logpoint in early 2016 having previously served as a consultant with Devoteam Consulting. Before taking up his present role with the business, Christian spent time as vice-president for solutions and integrations and then chief product officer. He currently oversees security and threat-focused research. On Episode 33 of the Security Matters Podcast, Christian examines the Security Operations Centre environment and the impact being exerted within due to the advent of Artificial Intelligence. Featured industry news stories include the Government urging security professionals to remain vigilant in the face of hostile state actors, BT calling on the UK’s Critical National Infrastructure providers to move away from the analogue copper landline network by the end of December, leadership changes at the Association of University Chief Security Officers and the launch of the International Optical Technologies Association.

    51 min
  4. 10/31/2024

    Security Matters Podcast - Episode 32

    Episode 32 of the Security Matters Podcast features Brian interviewing David Hughes (head of product management for Comelit-PAC), Alan O’Connor (managing director) and Jason Hillier (sales director) from Frontline Security Solutions and also Mark Brookes, global products and standards director at Gunnebo Safe Storage. David Hughes examines the subject of systems interoperability in some detail alongside systems integration and data security. There are also key insights into what the immediate future holds for product progression at Comelit-PAC. Alan O’Connor turns his attentions towards the biometrics arena, duly focusing on the end user experience with reference to key vertical sectors including finance and healthcare as well as confronting the challenges posed by legacy systems and the need for compliance with the privacy laws. In parallel, his colleague Jason Hillier reviews today’s mobile credentials, the push for contactless access and the emergence of new technologies involved with the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence. Meanwhile, Mark Brookes looks at several elements of the standards domain in addition to the need for balancing advanced and tech-driven safe storage solutions with traditional and trusted security measures.    Major news stories featured on Episode 32 include the recent release of Securitas Technology’s 2025 Global Technology Outlook Report, the launch of an all-new Model for Organisational Resilience devised by Resilience First and Cranfield University and the Insurance Fraud Charter led by insurance companies in conjunction with central Government.

    55 min
  5. 07/05/2024

    Security Matters Podcast - Episode 31

    In this episode, Brian interviews Professor Mark Button (director of the Centre for Cyber and Economic Crime at the University of Portsmouth’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice), Frank Cannon CSyP FSyI CPP (senior consultant at the Optimal Risk Group) and Matt Gregg, UK sales manager for electronic key and asset management specialist Traka. Mark joined the University of Portsmouth back in 1997, becoming a Professor in 2012. The core focus of his research is counter fraud and cyber crime, with that research being conducted on behalf of numerous bodies including the Home Office and fraud prevention service Cifas. In conversation with Brian, Mark concentrates his attentions on emerging trends and where we are now on the crime fighting curve. Frank Cannon served as one of the presenters at last month’s inaugural edition of Security Matters Live. On this occasion, Frank reviews the importance of behavioural-based security and the creation of a security culture within today’s organisations. At Traka, Matt Gregg co-ordinates planning and develops strategic relationships within the retail and distribution sectors, focusing on how the company’s intelligent management solutions can help save time and money by allowing critical control over access to keys and equipment. Here, Matt assesses common business challenges for customers and outlines Traka’s own ‘Great Service Delivers’ campaign. Key news stories featured on Episode 31 include a G4S report evidencing the threat posed by subversive attacks and how to mitigate them, recognition for the volunteers who support the Register of Chartered Security Professionals and Dr Karin von Hippel’s decision to stand down as director general of RUSI after ten years in post.

    1 hr

About

The Security Matters Podcast is published monthly and hosted by the magazine’s Editor Brian Sims. In each episode, Brian reports on and analyses the latest UK security industry news and also interviews leading professionals from the sector. The Security Matters Podcast is sponsored by The Security Event, which takes place on 8-10 April 2025 at the NEC in Birmingham. To register for your free pass to the show visit www.thesecurityevent.co.uk For all the latest security industry news and opinion visit www.securitymattersmagazine.com