Tavcom Training introduces virtual classroom training courses

Tavcom Training is launching the first in a series of virtual classroom training courses to add to its existing classroom training portfolio. The programme kicks off with two fundamental courses: the BTEC Level 3 course focused on Intruder Alarm System Design and the BTEC Level 3 course concentrating on CCTV System Design and Planning.

Delivered via Zoom through online interactive lectures and workshops and guided by the same expert instructors as the physical classroom courses, learners will have the chance to gain an accredited certification in a live environment without having to travel.

Andrew Saywell, business development manager for Tavcom Training, informed Security Matters: “We understand that a lot of our learners come to us for the high standard of training we deliver here at Tavcom. We wanted to find a way in which to provide that high standard of classroom learning to the many individuals who cannot travel at present. Our new virtual classroom courses are a solution to this problem. Delivered by and in partnership with our lead tutors, they’re fully interactive and designed to provide practising professionals with the necessary skills required to carry out the key elements of their role.”

Saywell continued: “The launch of our accredited virtual training courses is just one element in a series of developments that we’re implementing in order to increase the accessibility of Tavcom Training courses to learners on a global footing. Now more than ever, it’s easier for security professionals to gain a worldwide recognised qualification.”

Not only will learners be able to interact with other members of their class and ask questions as they would in a normal classroom situation, but they can also expect to receive all of the typical benefits of traditional face-to-face training including full tutor support, training resources and protected soft copies of the learning material distributed prior to course commencement.

Essential course

The BTEC Level 3 in Intruder Alarm System Design is the first course in the portfolio to be delivered virtually. This is an essential course for technical specifiers, sales engineers and consultants who wish to work lawfully within the new legislative guidelines and determine the risk assessment of each installation on which they’re working.

Learners on the course will be taught the skills required to carry out risk assessments and surveys in accordance with current British Standards and their European equivalents in combination with design and planning exercises that will introduce all of the necessary new grading requirements.

The Intruder Alarm System Design course is scheduled to take place virtually on 15-17 February and will cover the following core topics: completing security risk assessments, an overview of detection devices, control and indicating equipment, signalling devices and considerations, the planning and design of systems, European Standards, insurance requirements, alarm verification techniques, equipment grading criteria, producing system proposals and information on how to conduct practical site surveys.

Learners can expect to undertake focused morning and afternoon sessions interspersed with project work requiring a level of independent research.

Designing CCTV

The CCTV System Design and Planning BTEC Level 3 course is designed for all those who have the task of designing and planning small or large CCTV systems while ensuring compliance with the latest international standards. This course will provide learners with the experience and knowledge necessary to offer solutions for a variety of clients’ CCTV requirements.

The course will be of particular interest to specifiers, consultants, sales personnel and CCTV system project managers.

It’s scheduled to take place virtually between 15-18 March. Throughout the course, learners can expect to cover the following core topics: an overview of CCTV technologies and products, developing an Operational Requirement, risk assessments and site surveys, CCTV system design and product selection, effective lighting for CCTV applications, legislation, industry standards and Codes of Practice, system planning (costing, installation, commissioning and maintenance), system documentation (specification, drawings, commissioning and handover), writing system proposals and, last but not least, the tender process (with a keen focus on pre/post tender meetings and presentations).

High standard of learning

Kevin Matthew, operations director for Tavcom Training, explained: “Delivery in a live virtual classroom has many of the benefits of face-to-face learning without the inconvenience of travel. This is a very important consideration for those whose need for accredited and quality training hasn’t changed, even if their ability to join a classroom course has due to COVID-19 restrictions.”

Matthew continued: “Learners will participate in the same way that they would in the classroom, interacting with each other and the qualified course tutor, as well as receiving the high standard of learning and support associated with Tavcom Training’s courses.”

In conclusion, Matthew observed: “This is just the start of a series of virtual classroom courses that we’re looking to develop in order to meet the ever-changing needs of security industry professionals.”

*Course prices start from £395 (excluding VAT). This includes a formal BTEC accreditation. Upon completion of the course, learners will also receive formal Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points. **Further information is available online at https://www.tavcom.com/

360 Vision Technology joins Zitko Talent training programme to impart surveillance-focused expertise

360 Vision Technology – the UK manufacturer of rugged HD, radar and thermal imaging PTZ cameras – has now entered into an enhanced partnership with Zitko and its Talent Programme (a growing alliance of tech providers, educators and manufacturers, all of whom are dedicated to attracting and developing the next generation of fire and security engineers).

With regard to developing and deploying CCTV technologies for the most demanding security requirements and physical conditions, Zitko Talent’s course content will draw on 360 Vision Technology’s expertise in the field of surveillance camera and detection technology.

360 Vision Technology will be running generic course modules on CCTV theory, applications and system design considerations, as well as providing certified product training to Zitko Talent trainee engineers working with their products.

The partnership is active immediately and comes as Zitko Talent welcomes its first quarterly intake of trainees. These include graduates, career changers and experienced engineers entering from other industries.

Developing new talent 

“I’ve worked with Zitko to resource engineering positions for several years now and we’re very pleased to be supporting its new Talent initiative,” enthused Sara Fisher, sales director at 360 Vision Technology. “Developing new talent is the only way in which to solve the looming technical skills shortage and we’re determined to give trainees the strongest possible grounding in CCTV. We’re really looking forward to working with our colleagues across the industry with a view towards making the programme a resounding success.”

George Zitko, managing director at Zitko Consulting, responded: “Manufacturers can play an immense role in developing the next generation of fire and security engineers and it’s terrific to have 360 Vision Technology on board. I cannot think of a better and more innovative company to lead on the subject of CCTV education. The business has a formidable technical team and an outstanding track record having delivered some of the most challenging CCTV solutions seen anywhere in the world. Welcoming them to the initiative is another major milestone for Zitko Talent.”

*For more details about the Zitko Talent Programme visit https://www.zitko.co.uk/divisions/talent

Dahua’s TMAC integration with PAC access control helps keep workplaces safe

PAC has produced an integration guide for Dahua’s Thermal Monitoring Access Control (TMAC) terminal to allow easy checking of an individual’s temperature as well as confirmation that a face mask is being worn when someone’s entering a building or any area secured by PAC access control. This integration guide is for use in the UK, Europe and the APAC region.

As businesses continue to adapt to the current COVID-19 measures, building managers need technology to help them enhance the safety of building occupants. In conjunction with other measures and procedures, and as part of an overall strategy, thermal monitoring and automated face mask detection presents an additional method for controlling security and adherence to safety measures by visitors to a given building.

PAC’s long-standing tradition of security integration with Time and Attendance, CCTV monitoring and other building and occupancy control services is now extended to the Dahua TMAC terminal, which has the functionality to check a person’s temperature and determine if a face mask is being worn when they’re entering a building or specific area.

This integration with Dahua’s TMAC allows access rights for individuals to be dynamically managed. By taking an output from the Dahua TMAC into the PAC access control system, access rights can be withdrawn for anyone not meeting the safety standards required to gain entrance.

Integrators will find set-up simple, with only some basic wiring and a few configuration settings within the Dahua TMAC required in order for the system to be ready and active. For end users, access control list set-up and management are also easy with a single access control system provided for the management of all secured areas and entrances.

Multifactor authentication supports the Dahua temperature and mask checking functionality before being able to use the PAC access control ID device to unlock the secured entrance.

A single keyholder database enables the clear demarcation of building controls as the PAC access control system is used for all access control and the Dahua TMAC is effectively employed as an added check for temperature and mask wearing.

*To access a copy of the integration visit http://pacgdx.com/products/dahua-tmac-integration-with-pac

Frocester Group attains prestigious National Security Inspectorate Gold award

Frocester Group has joined an elite group of companies that have met the most rigid and stringent standards for security and fire system design, installation, and maintenance. The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) Gold award that has just been bestowed upon the Tetbury-based business represents months of hard work by the fire and security teams and demonstrates the robustness and commitment of the Group itself to offer customers the highest standards.

Frocester Group security director Tom Allerton commented: “We’re very proud of the whole team to have achieved this landmark and proud to give our customers the assurances this award brings as we continue to offer and provide the very best levels of service. The NSI Gold award will help Frocester Group continue to grow and provide satisfaction and confidence for our customers.”

Tom Allerton (left, security director) and James Joyce (fire director) of the Frocester Group

The NSI Gold award requires ISO 9001, the internationally-recognised quality management standard. Periodically reviewed to ensure technical requirements continue to meet the standard, the award covers the screening of individuals, intruder and hold-up alarm systems, CCTV, access control and fire detection and control systems. The award now sits alongside the Safe Contractor approved status gained by the Frocester Group’s security and fire divisions.

Tavcom Training celebrates 25 years of professionalising global security industry

Tavcom Training, the Linx International Group company providing accredited security systems training courses, is celebrating its 25-year anniversary. Since 1995, the company has trained and certified upwards of 50,000 learners in over 100 countries by way of its extensive portfolio of more than 100 classroom and online courses.

With the mid-to-late 1990s growth in the number of manufacturers producing security technology including CCTV, access control, intruder alarms and IP networking, there was a burgeoning demand for expert vendor agnostic training regarding the design, installation, management and use of these increasingly complex safeguarding systems.

As a result, Tavcom Training was founded by Mike Tennent to meet this need. Tennent rapidly established the company’s international reputation as being the benchmark for training excellence. Today, the pace of technical innovation is faster than ever and Tennent’s commitment to delivering relevant and high-quality training continues to be a significant factor in Tavcom’s ongoing success some 25 years later.

Kevin Matthew, operations director at Tavcom Training, recalled: “In 1995 there were training courses accredited by a variety of industry bodies, but no standardised vocational qualifications universally recognised by employers in the UK and overseas.”

A key milestone came in 2001 when Tavcom’s BTEC courses were accredited by the Edexcel Foundation. Matthew added: “This proved to be a game-changer for the security industry, with quantifiable and accredited qualifications available for the first time.”

Forging strong ties

The commitment to professionalising the industry and improving standards through recognised and accredited training has continued for 25 years, with Tavcom Training forging strong ties with the British Security Industry Association, the Security System and Alarms Inspection Board, the CCTV User Group/NASCAM, the National Security Inspectorate, Skills for Security and the Career Transition Partnership, as well as other certification bodies including City & Guilds.

The company has also taken the lead in other industry-defining initiatives, notably so the Register of Certified Technical Security Professionals. Launched in 2017 and managed by Tavcom, this professional public register recognises the competency of individuals fulfilling technical roles in the electronic security and fire sectors.

Tavcom continues to make significant long-term investments in its training provision, seeking out world-renowned subject matter experts and trainers, developing new courses in response to the changing requirements of security professionals and also the rapidly evolving technology accessible to them.

The business has also made significant upgrades to its state-of-the-art and future-proofed Training Centre in Bishops Waltham, Hampshire, as well as opening a new facility in Shipley, West Yorkshire and delivering courses at a purpose-built Training Centre in Singapore.

Matthew observed: “One of the biggest transformations in terms of how we deliver training has taken place in the past few years, with demand for online courses growing exponentially. Our portfolio of accredited online security training courses, bite-size training and interactive courses enables practising security professionals to access the training and qualifications they need from anywhere in the world.”

Online education programme

Tavcom’s established online training programme has proven invaluable for many security professionals this year given restrictions on travel and national lockdowns imposed as a result of COVID-19. This has allowed many industry professionals to improve upon their knowledge and skills. Matthew concluded: “We’re immensely proud of our rich 25-year heritage. As the security market and technology continues to evolve and grow, Tavcom is committed to being a trusted and respected training partner for learners at every stage of their career, whatever their training needs, circumstances and requirements may be at any given moment.” 

360 Vision Technology appoints Christianne McMillen in sales and marketing executive’s role

360 Vision Technology, the UK manufacturer of rugged PTZ and thermal imaging cameras, has further expanded its sales team with the appointment of Christianne McMillen in the role of sales and marketing executive.

McMillen, who began her security sales career at Norbain, is extremely well-known in the industry and joins the business with an enviable background in senior sales team management, most recently at Mayflex, where she led the internal sales teams to deliver multi-million pound growth year-on-year.  

McMillen joins fellow new recruit Effie-Mae Sims as part of the internal sales team at 360 Vision Technology.

Christianne McMillen

“I’m excited to be joining the 360 Vision Technology team,” explained McMillen.  “After nearly 15 years in the security industry, primarily in distribution, I believe that joining this UK manufacturer is a fantastic opportunity. The company’s values and approach were an extremely important part of my decision to join 360 Vision Technology. I hope my experience in sales and account management across the security disciplines will help me to provide the business with both a good perspective and committed approach to ensuring Best-in-Class customer engagement.”

Commenting on the news, Sara Fisher (360 Vision Technology’s sales director) said: “It’s a privilege to be welcoming someone with Christianne’s calibre and sales experience into the team. On a personal level, I have huge admiration for Christianne’s achievements in the industry to date and I cannot wait to see the contribution and impact she will make in the coming weeks and months. This significant recruitment is part of a brand new sales initiative for us and the starting point for the next phase of our ambitious growth plans.”

Amthal works on school security projects in partnership with Frank Cooper & Son

Amthal is working in partnership with Frank Cooper & Son across a number of school security programmes to ensure that perimeter protection installations exceed Ofsted standards.

With security always being a vital ingredient for any school or college in protecting its students, staff and visitors, its additional inclusion in Ofsted inspections is now leading many schools to review current standards.

Simon Cooper of Frank Cooper & Son stated: “On a basic level, Ofsted inspectors need school managers to demonstrate they have taken reasonable steps to ensure pupils are safe on the site. This is right from the site boundaries to monitoring visitors or volunteers as well as having adequate security arrangements for the grounds and school buildings.”

Cooper continued: “We have worked with Amthal for many years, focusing on supporting schools by helping and advising on the best security strategies to ensure Ofsted expectations are passed. In doing so, we provide vital assurances that school security does not need to make a given premises feel prison-like. Bespoke and often colourful perimeter protection solutions can be created to protect essential learning environments.”

Initial design to installation

Amthal works with Frank Cooper & Son right from the initial design process through to installation, operating around learning timetables to ensure minimal disruption to school routines and following up with essential maintenance and monitoring services. 

CCTV and access control can also be used to direct those entering and exiting a school and monitor pedestrian movement more efficiently.  This can reduce the risk of crime in the school environment.

Jamie Allam, CEO of Amthal Fire and Security, said: “School grounds protected by secure perimeters and good access control and surveillance systems are the foundation of a healthy learning environment, supported by alertness and a coherent awareness of risk management.”

He went on to state: “It’s why we choose to work in partnership with specialists such as Frank Cooper & Son. This ensures that schools pass their Ofsted inspections with flying colours. It is really all about offering a well-maintained system that complies with building safety regulations. That enables a school to honour its Duty of Care when it comes to providing peace of mind for staff, pupils, parents and visitors on an ongoing basis.”

Security systems developer Vanderbilt joins Euralarm

The Board of Directors at Euralarm has welcomed Vanderbilt as the newest member of the long-standing and influential association of European security and fire safety solution manufacturers, installers and service providers, with the security systems developer joining the Security Section. The latter represents companies involved with CCTV, intruder alarms and access control and serves as a key stakeholder in organisations such as CertAlarm, CEN-CENELEC, IEC and, indeed, the European Commission.

The Security Section collaborates on a regular basis in a bid to find security solutions in what is now a digitised and somewhat challenging world. Section meetings feature recognised experts offering presentations on topics such as the standardisation landscape within the video surveillance market.

Importantly, the Security Section liaises with key standardisation groups in the security field and closely follows technological developments with a view towards guiding regulation and standardisation. In terms of standards, the Security Section informs member companies of changes and advocacy activities at both the national and European Union (EU) levels.

Being a member of Euralarm, Vanderbilt will enjoy access to the extended network of national associations and major companies in the electronic fire safety and security sectors. Membership of Euralarm will realise opportunities for both parties as it also strengthens the association.

Vanderbilt is a global provider of high-performance security systems for access control and intrusion detection. The business is recognised for its future-proof, innovative and easy-to-use portfolio that contains access control systems including the ACT365 and ACT Enterprise and the popular SPC and SPC Connect intruder detection solutions.

A strong advocate of open platforms and system integration, Vanderbilt (itself an ACRE brand) understands the issues customers face and provides multiple solutions that are designed to meet these needs.

Expertise on markets and opportunities

Companies joining Euralarm benefit from a unique insight into what is happening in European markets and the opportunities they might offer. They can not only tap into the political expertise and understanding that underpins EU policy, but also make personal connections with technical and political experts as well as potential business partners.

Euralarm members have their voice heard in Brussels and can actively support and direct standardisation and legislative processes.

Founded back in 1970, Euralarm now represents over 5,000 companies within the fire safety and security industry valued at 67 billion Euros. The membership comprises national associations and individual companies from across the European region.

NorthEdge Capital backs Orbis Protect’s bolt-on acquisition of Optosafe

Private equity-backed property, site and people protection specialist Orbis Protect has made its first acquisition following a strong period of growth despite the UK-wide lockdown. The business has bought Glasgow-based Optosafe, the 360-degree CCTV tower provider with which it has partnered for the last three years.

Orbis Protect employs more than 400 staff across 19 UK depots, working with clients across the private and public sectors. Its services include vacant property management and securing such properties so that they are ready for re-occupation, as well as site security for commercial offices, construction and other vulnerable sites. The business also offers a lone worker monitoring solution, supporting 35,000 workers annually with personalised alarm services.

The deal follows NorthEdge’s initial backing in 2018 and two years of strong organic growth for Orbis Protect, which has achieved consistent year-on-year organic EBITDA growth in excess of 20% since 2016. Earlier this year, the business ranked eighth in the Sunday Times’ Profit Track and, following this acquisition, is expecting to achieve in excess of £8 million EBITDA in the next financial year.

During lockdown, Orbis Protect has seen rapid grown of its decontamination services. In March, it had six team members trained to deliver specialist cleaning services, which include fogging technology to remove traces of COVID-19, with a further 60 being trained throughout lockdown to meet customer demand.

Supporting the client base

Guy Other, CEO at Orbis Protect, said: “During lockdown we have been able to adapt quickly to support our clients. This approach to spotting new opportunities for our business has been key to us continuing to report strong organic growth. NorthEdge has been supportive of our ambitions since backing the business, and its backing in terms of our first acquisition has been invaluable.”

Other added: “Over the last few years we have managed to develop a strong partnership with Optosafe on a range of client projects. The specialist insight which the team can provide makes this deal a key part of our ongoing strategy and will help us to further accelerate our growth.”

Optosafe CTO John Robertson has now joined Orbis as managing director of the Optosafe division and will continue to focus on delivering customer solutions, while at the same time driving new product development opportunities.

Robertson told Security Matters: “We know our markets well and are aware of the high demand for Optosafe’s services. It makes monitoring and security for areas like construction, infrastructure and the utilities much safer and more reliable than traditional security systems, which is key for clients who own and operate such assets. Working with Orbis Protect will allow us to accelerate our ongoing R&D work in order to develop new services for our customers.”

Details of the deal

The acquisition was funded in part thanks to financing provided by Clydesdale Yorkshire Bank. Orbis was supported on the acquisition by Deloitte (corporate finance), Browne Jacobson (legal), BDO (financial due diligence), Fairgrove Partners (commercial due diligence) and Better Basics (operational due diligence).

Kevin O’Loughlin, investment director at NorthEdge Capital, explained: “Orbis Protect has performed exceptionally well in the harshest of trading environments presented by COVID-19. The acquisition of Optosafe provides Orbis Protect with additional penetration into the high-growth CCTV towers market and underpins the exciting growth strategy which management has in place for the business.”

Ian Mansell, senior director at Clydesdale Yorkshire Bank, added: “We are delighted to have worked with the team at Orbis Protect and alongside NorthEdge Capital to deliver what is a highly strategic acquisition. To have completed this deal against such a challenging backdrop is testament to the resilient and highly sustainable performance seen across the core business, which should be further enhanced through this acquisition. We look forward to continuing to support Orbis Protect on delivering its ambitious plans for future growth.”

“87% of Britons feel unsafe at their place of worship” reveals Jacksons Fencing survey

Jacksons Fencing’s latest research has uncovered the experiences and concerns of the UK’s faith communities when it comes to criminality. Six-in-ten people of the 2,000 individuals surveyed believe their place of worship has been a target of crime, while it appears that almost half of all places of worship are targeted on a monthly basis and upwards of one-in-ten are targeted daily.

The company has released various insights into security at religious venues contained in its White Paper entitled ‘Places of Worship: Understanding Security Issues’. The findings highlight the most pressing safety concerns of the UK’s faith communities, centred on from physical and verbal harassment through to theft, burglary and vandalism.

More than half (54%, in fact) of those people surveyed agree that lots of physical security makes them feel nervous, while the majority (76%) feel safer with a certain amount of security measures in place.

Crime perpetrated at religious venues is far too frequent, with three-quarters (74%) of respondents saying their place of worship is a target of crime at least on a yearly basis. Compared to five years ago, the situation hasn’t improved. Most people (81%) report that the amount of crime on-site has either remained the same or increased.

Despite the frequency of incidences, places of worship play an increasingly vital role in society, with 44% of worshipers saying they are more a place of asylum and safety than they used to be.

Greatest concerns

Three-quarters of respondents remain concerned about security threats, the most worrying of these being vandalism (18%), burglary, theft and robbery (17%) and personal physical attacks (17%). Of those concerned about vandalism, these individuals are most worried about broken windows (52%), damage to the building’s exterior (46%) and graffiti (45%).

With only 13% of people saying they feel secure enough at their place of worship, there is clearly much work to be done. However, while three-quarters (76%) feel safer with security measures in place, there’s a fine line to be drawn. As stated, 54% say lots of physical security makes them feel nervous.

Popular security measures taken by religious bodies include more tightly controlled access (38%), moving donation boxes to more secure areas (37%), removing valuables from display (30%) and increasing physical security measures (25%).

Moving forward, people would feel safer with CCTV (42%), alarm systems (31%), gates (27%), better lighting (24%) and the installation of security fencing (23%).

Detect, defend, deter

Peter Jackson, managing director at Jacksons Fencing, commented: “Places of worship need to be both safe and welcoming. Security has to make worshipers feel safe, provide solace and not deter those requiring support. With so many religious buildings of all faiths being regularly targeted by criminals, the security measures implemented should not only detect and defend against attacks, but they should also deter potential criminals or intruders from making an attempt at crime in the first instance.”

Michael Brooke, head of operational services for Police Crime Prevention Initiatives, advised: “A sensible and practical level of security, which will not adversely affect the efficient running of the place of worship, is essential. The majority of burglaries are committed by opportunist thieves who choose premises that have no obvious signs of security and where they think they will not be seen.”

Brooke added: “Having someone in place who meets and greets visitors is a great preventative measure. In particular, having someone there who knows the congregation enables strangers to be identified such that they can be either welcomed or turned away. It’s also useful to remove and lock valuables away during times outside of services.”