Bidvest Noonan continues investment in subject matter experts

Continuing its investment in subject matters experts to run specific elements of the business, facilities management concern Bidvest Noonan has appointed Mark Elton as compliance and risk director for its business in Great Britain.

Elton previously served as quality, risk and compliance director at Cordant Services, which became part of the Bidvest Noonan Group in May of this year.

In his new role, Elton will serve on Bidvest Noonan’s senior management team and lead the development and execution of the company’s dedicate compliance and risk strategies.

Mark Elton

Following on from two years of strong growth, during which time it achieved leadership positions for services such as security and cleaning, the business has increasingly focused on investing in expertise. Elton, who harbours over 25 years’ industry experience, is the latest in a series of subject matter experts to join Bidvest Noonan’s senior management team.

Welcoming this announcement, Simon Giles (CFO at Bidvest Noonan) stated: “Mark has deep expertise in his field. As part of our senior management team, he will help us to continue improving our performance and strengthen our leadership position.”

Commenting on his appointment, Elton informed Security Matters: “I’m delighted to take on this new and exciting role and to be supporting our wider group. I’m now very much looking forward to working with my new colleagues and will always strive to help propel this outstanding business forward.”

*Further information is available online at www.bidvestnoonan.com

Evolution continues to grow Risk and Design team with duo of appointments

Evolution, the integrated fire and security systems business, has continued to invest in the growth of its Risk and Design team with two new appointments. David Watson joins the business as operational risk manager for the team, while Kevin Stephenson takes the role of operational risk advisor.

Having served for more than a decade in the British Army, Watson has spent the last 15 years working in various different roles and sectors within the domestic and international security industry, managing risks for sites in hostile environments, protecting high net worth individuals and also working on behalf of several high-profile commercial clients.

David Watson

In his new role, Watson will be responsible for engaging with clients to provide integrated collaborative solutions to suit their risk profiles, all the while making good use of the end-to-end processes Evolution can offer in the market. 

Following a wide-ranging 23-year career in the Royal Air Force working as a weapons technician and including roles in bomb disposal and aircraft operations, Kevin Stephenson will be applying his expertise gained in managing risks in the dynamic airworthiness and air safety environments to the security industry in order to deliver effective risk appreciation and assurance for new and existing clients alike.

Kevin Stephenson

Experiences and disciplines

Brendan McGarrity, director of Evolution Risk and Design, is a firm believer that supporting ex-servicemen and women, and the skills they can bring to the commercial security table, is very important to the business.

“The experiences and disciplines gained from serving in the Armed Forces can prove extremely valuable in the security industry,” explained McGarrity. “If you’ve worked on or fixed a highly complex radar or weapons system, then there’s a good chance the skills used can be easily transferred to a commercial environment. I’m delighted to welcome David and Kevin to the team, and vry much look forward to harnessing their expertise and capabilities.”

Evolution pledged its support to the defence and armed forces community in 2020 by signing the Armed Forces Covenant and also joined the Government’s Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (at the Bronze level).

New co-chairs announced for The Security Institute’s Young Members Group

The Security Institute has announced that Camilla Scrimgeour ASyI and Anastasia Spiridonova will co-chair the organisation’s Young Members Group, which exists to serve security professionals under the age of 35.

In essence, the Young Members Group aims to represent the views of young professionals within the sector, as well as foster more opportunities for such professionals to access and thrive within the world of security. Scrimgeour and Spiridonova now plan on arranging regular speaker-focused and networking events to ‘spread the message’.

Both Scrimgeour and Spiridonova have already gained a wealth of experience and begun to establish themselves as young professionals within the security field. Camilla Scrimgeour is currently an associate at S-RM, the global risk and intelligence consultancy. In this role, she works within the crisis response team, actively preventing and responding to kidnap, ransom and extortion incidents as well as wider crises. She boasts experience of working in the crisis management and intelligence space for both corporate companies and Government organisations including the Mayor of London’s Office.

Scrimgeour holds an MA in International Relations and French gained at the University of St Andrews and is qualified in the fields of business continuity and intelligence analysis.

Anastasia Spiridonova is currently a student member of the Institute. Outside of the Institute, she’s an investigator and soon-to-be co-director at the Lost Boys Detective Agency. The latter is a security, risk management and investigations company that provides bespoke services to private, corporate and legal clients.

Spiridonova holds a BA degree in French and Iberian and Latin American Cultures from Stanford University, as well as having studied criminal justice in partnership with the University of Oxford. She speaks Russian, French, Spanish, Portuguese and English, with her professional background encompassing art sales through to roles in corporate finance.

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Camilla Scrimgeour

Increased innovation

Under the leadership and direction of Scrimgeour and Spiridonova, the Young Members Group will continue to support the Institute’s advocacy for the inclusion and celebration of young people within the security business sector. The Institute strongly believes that embracing young people and their unique perspectives is key to increasing innovation within the field, which will also help to enhance professional practices and, ultimately, ensure that the sector is best equipped to tackle the threats of tomorrow.

In a joint statement concerning their new roles at the Institute, Scrimgeour and Spiridonova explained: “We are excited to be co-chairing the Young Members Group and look forward to supporting other young professionals within the Institute. Through the Young Members Group, we hope to better understand the challenges faced by young professionals like ourselves and ascertain how the Institute can further support their professional development as well as provide opportunities for them to become more engaged with the security community.”

Further, Scrimgeour and Spiridonova stated: “We strongly encourage all those under the age of 35 to become involved with the Young Members Group. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, seek peer-to-peer advice and help create positive change for the entire sector.”

The Security Institute’s CEO Rick Mounfield CSyP FSyI added: “I’m grateful to Camilla and Ana for coming forward to co-chair the Young Members Group. The group has been a long-standing safe space that provides young professionals with all of the opportunities and support they need to succeed, and I’m sure it will go from strength to strength under their leadership.”

In addition, Mounfield observed: “It’s imperative that, as a sector, we embrace the next generation of security professionals. This is a ‘must’ if we are to remain innovative and forward-thinking. The Institute’s Young Members Group will lead the industry’s efforts in this area.”

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Anastasia Spiridonova

2021 Annual General Meeting

As stated, the intention is for the Young Members Group to arrange regular speaker and networking events, the first of which will be held on 5 May. Members of the Institute can access further details on this by accessing the Institute’s Community Platform.

Institute members can also here Scrimgeour and Spiridonova speak about their plans for the Young Members Group at this year’s Annual General Meeting, which is being held online on Wednesday 21 April.

Qognify receives LenelS2 factory certification under LenelS2 OpenAccess Alliance Programme

Security and risk mitigation solutions specialist Qognify has received LenelS2 factory certification and joined the LenelS2 OpenAccess Alliance Programme. All of Qognify’s products (ie Situator, VisionHub, Cayuga, Ocularis and NiceVision) now interface with the OnGuard access control system, enabling customers to evaluate situations based on a synopsis of event and video data, in turn allowing a faster and more targeted response to critical incidents.

The newly-certified interface allows Qognify software to receive and display events from the OnGuard platform (for instance ‘Access granted’ or ‘Door opened’. In return, live and archive videos from cameras operated with one of Qognify’s video management systems or its Enterprise Incident Management System Situator can be displayed in the OnGuard system.

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“Qognify has completed the required factory testing procedures at LenelS2 to validate the functionality of its interfaces to the OnGuard system,” explained John Marchioli, OpenAccess Alliance Programme product management specialist at LenelS2. “These interfaces provide great options for end users who prefer expanded integrated security solutions. We look forward to Qognify’s continued involvement in the LenelS2 OpenAccess Alliance Programme.”

Chen Porat, vice-president of R&D at Qognify, responded: “Being able to offer an interface to the OnGuard system is an important step for us, especially so because the interface is available across Qognify’s entire product range. This development reflects our strategy which is based upon offering our customers an overall security solution focused on their individual needs. It’s another example of the cross-product initiatives we’ve been concentrating on.”

Incentive FM moves into Top 3% of Approved Contractor Scheme-registered security companies

Incentive FM, the specialist facilities management company, has recently completed the latest Security Industry Authority Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) audit process and has achieved an excellent score.

Following the rigorous audit procedure, Incentive FM achieved a score of 129 points out of a possible 145 which now moves the business into the Top 3% of around 650 companies who hold ACS registration with the regulator.

Andrew Robbins, associate director of security and risk at Incentive FM, told Security Matters: “This achievement has been gained through the delivery of our clear strategy over the past three years, as well as the sheer hard work and dedication of our senior management and site-based teams who’ve demonstrated a clear commitment to delivering a premium security service to our clients through focus and continuous improvement.”

Robbins added: “We’re extremely proud of all our staff members who’ve helped the business to achieve ACS status for the fourteenth year in succession. The last 12 months has realised many challenges due to the new scoring mechanism adopted by the SIA’s auditors and, of course, the global pandemic, but we’ve persevered and passed with flying colours.”

Finbarr Solutions launches free face-to-face video consultation service

Finbarr Solutions, the global security and risk management consultancy, has announced the launch of free face-to-face video consultations with Ciaran Barry CSyP, the company’s managing director and a certified member of the Register of Chartered Security Professionals. The service is available to any organisation that would benefit from expert independent advice regarding their security requirements and systems, staffing levels and/or security posture. 

The Register of Chartered Security Professionals was established under a Royal Charter issued to The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals here in the UK and launched back in 2011. It’s widely recognised as the ‘Gold Standard’ of competence in the private security industry. Barry was admitted to the Register in 2019.

Commenting on the news of this new service, Barry stated: “January is often an ideal time to assess security provision for the year ahead, whether the focus is on reviewing the performance and ongoing suitability of existing systems, preparing tenders for new services and solutions or assessing skills and training requirements.”

The 30-minute free consultations can also be guided by a specific issue or topic such as handling sensitive workplace investigations, legal requirements for employees working from home or dealing with cyber crime. Barry cites specific guidance that every organisation can benefit from, in terms of preparedness and agility, to face the uncertainty of the year ahead.

“Last year,” he observed, “many business continuity and crisis management plans were conceived and initiated on the fly. It’s important to frequently take stock of what’s working, what needs to improve and how to go about making the right decisions. Many smaller organisations struggle as they don’t have either easy or affordable access to expertise. It’s for this very reason that Finbarr Solutions is launching these free consultations.”

Ciaran Barry CSyP

Security management knowledge

In addition to being a Chartered Security Professional, Barry holds a diploma in Security Management (with distinction), a BA Honours degree in Business Studies and also the ASIS Certified Protection Professional qualification.

In days gone by, he spent a decade serving in the British Army and eight years with the Hertfordshire Constabulary as a detective.

*To book a free 30-minute consultation simply click on the following link https://finbarrsolutions.youcanbook.me and pick a convenient time slot or otherwise visit www.finbarrsolutions.com and go to ‘Book a consultation’ in the drop-down menu

Finbarr Solutions was created out of a desire to modernise and simplify the security and risk management services sector. Specialising in corporate risk management, the company views its role as being a business enabler and a trusted advisor. Its services are a mechanism designed to assist organisations to protect themselves and their people, function efficiently and effectively and assist them to grow and develop within today’s global and complex world.

Open source intelligence

Finbarr Solutions supports organisations globally within the majority of industry sectors. Its open source intelligence and threat reporting empowers clients to enter new markets, make informed decisions and, ultimately, achieve their strategic aims.

By understanding and mitigating risk, its small and specialised team of security professionals, investigators and intelligence analysts is able to add value throughout an organisation. From identifying new markets, selecting trustworthy and like-minded global partners and identifying key community leaders right through to conducting due diligence, investigating competitor or supplier claims or internal misconduct, the team at Finbarr Solutions is on hand to support, advise and protect its clients, enabling businesses to make the right decisions at the right times.

*For more information visit www.finbarrsolutions.com

HID Global “brings trust” to online and mobile banking in face of cyber threat

As consumers embrace the convenience of online and mobile banking at both traditional and the latest all-digital financial institutions, it has become an increasingly difficult challenge to combat cyber security threats while complying with regulatory data protection mandates. Trusted identity solutions specialist HID Global has solved those challenges for several banks as part of their digital transformation initiatives.

“Our solutions protect data and transactions while delivering a seamless experience for the consumer as well as maximum flexibility for banks,” explained Brad Jarvis, vice-president and managing director of identity and access management solutions at HID Global. “This includes the option of cloud-based authentication services that remove the complexity of providing multifactor authentication to a growing and diverse user population, while also offering the convenience and efficiency of centralised regulatory compliance audits.”

Challenging issues

As a business, HID Global is helping to address some of the most challenging of mobile banking issues. For example, a retail bank in Egypt has improved compliance and reduced fraud and operational costs thanks to an HID Trusted Transactions solution. This is pre-integrated with Temenos digital front office and core banking products.

In addition, a Swiss wealth management group is using the solution, along with the HID ActivID Authentication Server, to optimise flexibility while protecting mobile banking transactions and securing corporate data, applications and systems.

Further, two banks in Eastern Europe and the UK are using the solution for quick and easy compliance with Second Payment Services Directive (ie PSD2) regulations.

Even with financial institutions returning to (almost) normal operating hours, many believe digital banking will grow in importance as part of ensuring business continuity and supporting customers who prefer not to visit their local branch during the ongoing health crisis. According to a McKinsey & Company report, the use of digital channels has grown in Europe by up to 20% during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adoption of digital banking

“In just a couple of months, customers’ adoption of digital banking has leapt forward by a couple of years,” suggests the document. “Our most recent customer survey showed a 10% to 20% rise in digital banking use across Europe in April. Many Italian banks are striving to enable every single one of their customers to use digital banking. Such a jump in adoption opens the door for banks to turn digital channels into real sales channels, not just convenient self-service tools.”

HID Global’s complete HID Trusted Transactions offer for end users in the banking and finance sector includes the HID Authentication platform delivered either as a server or service, plus a choice of hardware tokens or the HID Approve multi-factor authentication solution with mobile push notification capabilities and the HID Risk Management Solution – Threat and Fraud Detection.

The comprehensive offer from the business delivers risk-based adaptive authentication, threat detection and transaction signing.

*Click here for more information about HID’s advanced multi-factor authentication solutions for the banking sector

96% of UK organisations experience at least one business-impacting cyber attack in past 12 months

Tenable Inc, the cyber exposure company, has published the results of a global industry study of business and security executives that reveals the majority of UK organisations (96% of those surveyed, in fact) have experienced a business-impacting cyber attack in the past 12 months.

The data is drawn from ‘The Rise of the Business-Aligned Security Executive’, a commissioned study of more than 800 global business and cyber security leaders, including 103 respondents from the UK. The survey was conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Tenable.

As cyber criminals continue their relentless attacks, 63% of respondents in the UK have witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of business-impacting cyber episodes over the past two years. Unfortunately, these attacks had damaging effects, with organisations reporting loss of employee data (44%), financial loss or theft (36%) and customer attrition (34%). Some 65% of security leaders in the UK say these attacks also involved operational technology.

Business leaders want a clear picture of how at risk they are and how that risk is changing as they plan and execute business strategies. Only four out of every ten local security leaders say they can answer the fundamental question: “How secure, or at risk, are we?” with a high level of confidence, despite the prevalence of business-impacting cyber attacks.

Global respondents

Looking at global respondents, fewer than 50% of security leaders said they are framing cyber security threats within the context of a specific business risk. For example, although 96% of respondents had developed response strategies to the COVID-19 pandemic, 75% of business and security leaders admitted their response strategies were only “somewhat” aligned.

Organisations with security and business leaders who are aligned in measuring and managing cyber security as a strategic business risk deliver demonstrable results. Compared to their siloed peers, business-aligned security leaders are:

*Eight times more likely to be highly confident in their ability to report on their organisations’ level of security or risk

*90% are very or completely confident in their ability to demonstrate that cyber security investments are positively impacting business performance compared with 55% of their siloed counterparts

85% have metrics to track cyber security RoI and impact on business performance versus just 25% of their siloed peers

Business-aligned leaders

Those organisations with business-aligned cyber security leaders are also:

*Three times more likely to ensure cyber security objectives are in lock step with business priorities

*Three times more likely to have an holistic understanding of their organisation’s entire attack surface

Three times more likely to use a combination of asset criticality and vulnerability data when prioritising remediation efforts

“In the future, there will be two kinds of CISO — those who align themselves directly with the business and everyone else,” said Renaud Deraison, CTO and co-founder at Tenable. “The only way to thrive in this era of digital acceleration is to bring cyber into every business question, decision and investment. We firmly believe this particular study shows that forward-leaning organisations view cyber security strategy as essential to innovation and that, when security and the business work hand-in-glove, the results can be transformational.”

CHAS makes three key appointments designed to strengthen operations

Supply chain risk management expert CHAS (the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme) has appointed Alex Minett as head of products and markets and Elaine Bailey and Peter Hepworth, both of whom become non-executive directors at the trusted Health and Safety compliance advisor.

Alex Minett brings in-depth knowledge of the SHEQ sector in the UK and internationally from a contracting and consulting perspective having established SHEQ strategies for multiple businesses (including blue chip companies) across diverse sectors.

He also has extensive knowledge of construction Best Practice and compliance having worked for 20 years in the construction sector, including on iconic projects such as the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Battersea Power Station where he advised on safety measures for the demolition and re-erection of the four iconic chimneys.

In addition, Minett was responsible for establishing the initial SHEQ strategy for Transport for Wales and supported the procurement team within the wider provision of the multi-billion pound franchise with pre-qualification of the bids.

Alex Minett

Further afield, Minett worked closely with the World Bank and other funders on one of the world’s largest solar farms in Benban and initiated a zero harm approach to safety at the Facebook Data Centre in Lulea. He was also responsible for embedding safe working practices for the construction and delivery of the Saudi Aramco Petroleum Polytechnic in Saudi Arabia.

Now, Minett has overall responsibility for all of the CHAS products both current and new and is closely involved in the strategic position of CHAS within the marketplace and identifying opportunities for growth.

CHAS managing director Ian McKinnon stated: “Alex is an excellent addition to the CHAS team and we’re delighted to have him on board. His insight and experience will be invaluable as we continue to expand our service offer.”

Minett himself commented: “I’m excited to be joining CHAS at a time of marked growth for the organisation. As the founder of contractor prequalification, CHAS enjoys a first class reputation and I’m looking forward to helping build on this as the business evolves and grows.”

Extensive experience

Elaine Bailey became a non-executive director at CHAS with effect from Wednesday 1 July. Bailey has worked extensively across the construction, criminal justice, Government services and housing sectors in the private, public and not for profit sectors and brings 15 years of executive Board experience to the role.

From 2014 to 2019, Bailey served as CEO of London-based Housing Association The Hyde Group where, as well as significantly improving financial and operating performance, she drove a major change programme designed to simplify, automate and improve service delivery.

Bailey also sits on the Industry Safety Steering Group chaired by Dame Judith Hackitt which is charged with scrutinising proposals and progress towards culture change within the construction industry following the tragic Grenfell Tower fire.

Elaine Bailey

Previously, Bailey held senior positions at FTSE 250 outsourcer Serco and is a trustee of Catch 22 and the Greenslade Family Foundation, as well as a Board member of the Andium Housing Association.

Speaking about Bailey’s appointment, Ian McKinnon stated: “Elaine’s successes at The Hyde Group, along with her knowledge and experience of good governance, make her an excellent addition to the CHAS Board. We also welcome Elaine’s commitment to driving cultural change within the construction industry following the Grenfell Tower tragedy through her work as part of Dame Judith Hackitt’s Steering Group.”

Bailey responded: “I’m delighted to be joining an organisation which plays a key role in improving occupational Health and Safety performance in UK workplaces. I’m looking forward to working with CHAS to continue to raise Health and Safety standards right across the UK.”

Digital transformation

Peter Hepworth formerly oversaw a portfolio of businesses while serving as executive officer of the Professional Services division at Capita plc, where his achievements included rationalising 14 separate learning businesses into one organisation and executing the digital transformations of Constructionline and Parking Eye.

He simultaneously served as CEO of AXELOS.com, a joint venture between Capita and the Cabinet Office and the publisher of global Best Practice guidance for IT, project and risk management. In fact, Hepworth was responsible for founding the operation in 2013. He grew the business internationally, expanding the product range and launching a cyber resilience portfolio while regularly liaising at ministerial level. Hepworth also transitioned AXELOS to become a Content-as-a-Service subscription model.

Previously, Hepworth served as managing director of Activision Blizzard UK where he was responsible for transitioning the business to meet the digital future. He has also held senior positions at L’Oréal, Sara Lee and BDO Stoy Hayward. His additional board experience includes having served as a non-executive director of The Fire Service College, Fera Science and eve Sleep. Hepworth is a Chartered Accountant by background.

Peter Hepworth

“We’re very happy to welcome Peter to the CHAS Board,” enthused Ian McKinnon. “He brings a wealth of experience in digital transformation which will prove invaluable as we continue to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.”

Hepworth informed Security Matters: “I’m excited to be joining the Board of CHAS as it continues its strong growth trajectory. The company has an excellent reputation with an impressive portfolio of digital products and services that can help businesses transform their risk management processes. I’m delighted to have this opportunity to support the further success of both CHAS and its extensive customer base.”

CHAS makes it easy to locate COVID-19 secure contractors

CHAS, the supply chain risk management expert, has added a Statement of Best Practice (COVID-19) to its member-focused packages designed to assist anyone who engages contractors in immediately identifying whether or not they are COVID-19 secure.

Organisations have had to rapidly adapt their working practices to operate safely during the Coronavirus outbreak and CHAS’ Statement of Best Practice (COVID-19) helps to verify that these adjustments have been made in line with latest Government and sector-issued guidelines.

In order for a contractor to qualify as COVID-19 secure they must confirm (and, where appropriate, evidence) that they have taken three key actions which include:

• Producing and putting into place COVID-19 specific risk assessments, method statements and controls 
• Sharing the risk assessment with staff (and online for organisations with over 50 employees)
• Displaying a notice to confirm they have complied with Government guidance

Construction-related businesses must also indicate that they are following COVID-19 Secure Site Operating Procedures as detailed by the Construction Leadership Council.

For contractors to comply, they simply need to login to the contractor portal and upload and submit evidence to show they meet the requirements. Meanwhile, CHAS clients log on to the CHAS Client Portal and they can instantly see whether a contractor has completed the Statement of Best Practice (COVID-19).

For those organisations who are not already CHAS clients, it is quick, easy and completely free to register and includes a range of business benefits, from the ability to easily source compliant contractors by trade and region from a database of over 50 0000 through to the availability of dedicated business services.

CHAS managing director Ian McKinnon informed Security Matters: “We recognise that organisations are looking for reassurance that everyone within their supply chain is operating to the required COVID-19 secure standards, but we also know that it’s extremely difficult for organisations to perform these checks independently, and particularly so while running on skeleton staff. The Statement of Best Practice (COVID-19) makes it easy for CHAS contractors to qualify for work while affording CHAS clients immediate visibility of a contractor’s COVID-19 secure status.”