SASIG calls for great resilience in bid to counter cyber threat

The Security Awareness Special Interest Group (SASIG) is calling on cyber security professionals in the financial services sector to build greater resilience against the threat cyber criminals pose by investing in new skills.

The call follows the latest Financial Sector Cyber Security Symposium, organised by SASIG in conjunction with the Bank of England. The symposium was attended by more than 250 delegates who heard that cyber threats include a growing number of ransomware attacks and that these will almost certainly increase during 2022.

Supply chain service providers, who often cross international boundaries, were also seen as an increasing source compromising reasonably well-defended networks. 

A consistent theme during the symposium was that employees and supply chain partners alike must have the right skills to spot potential threats. Financial services firms that are at high risk can strengthen their ability to protect against cyber threats by creating a business culture that builds internal capacity and greater confidence.

Evolving landscape  

Martin Smith MBE, founder and chair of SASIG, said: “The cyber security landscape is constantly evolving. Cyber security professionals in the financial services sector are having to redouble their effort in the face of persistent threats. It’s critical that the industry invests in new skills to understand the threats being faced and also that it factors-in robust cyber resilience procedures to manage those threats effectively.”  

Smith added: “Nine out of every ten security breaches involve human intervention, either by accident or by design. By creating no-blame cultures, where cyber security is second nature, firms will be able to stop the majority of incidents. Continuous learning and shared experiences will also foster a relentless focus on security.”

Further, Smith noted: “To do this, we need to attract a new breed of cyber security professional to combine with established technical teams and vendors as a way in which to protect firms’ data, information and systems.”

Skills training 

Skills training and career development are being showcased at SASIG’s Cyber Security Skills Festival on Tuesday 22 February. The festival is being organised in association with the UK Cyber Security Council. It’s a virtual event that will feature high-profile keynote presentations and workshops concentrating on the latest cyber security issues.

A jobs fair will also run alongside the festival. Hundreds of job opportunities with leading private firms and public sector organisations will be on offer.  

*Attendance at the third annual Cyber Security Skills Festival is free for both attendees and employers. To find out more and register for a place visit www.thesasig.com/skills-festival 

Ten-plus NSI-approved companies shortlisted for 2020 OSPAs

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI), a sponsor of the 2020 UK Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs), has congratulated the 13 NSI-approved companies shortlisted by the Judging Panel for their achievements within the security industry. The OSPAs are part of a global awards scheme currently running in eight countries and designed to recognise and reward outstanding performance.

In total, the 13 NSI-approved companies have over 50 shortlisted nominations across multiple categories including Outstanding Contract Security Company, Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator and Outstanding Security Officer.

 

The judging is a rigorous and transparent process designed to recognise exceptional company and individual performance in the private security sector.

This year, the NSI’s involvement has extended to the OSPAs Thought Leadership Summit. This takes place on the afternoon of the Awards Ceremony on Wednesday 26 February in central London. It’s a further opportunity to hear the thoughts of high-profile speakers and debate key challenges in the private security sector, such as supply chain integrity and ways in which to address the rate of improvement in false alarms.

Richard Jenkins: CEO at the NSI

Richard Jenkins, CEO at the NSI, commented: “The UK OSPAs highlight Best Practice and recognise the achievements of companies and individuals alike within the private security industry. We’re delighted to see so many NSI-approved companies recognised for their outstanding performance and in so many categories. Our congratulations go to all of the finalists whose achievements have been recognised this year. We wish them every success tomorrow. The NSI’s sponsorship of events and awards reinforces our commitment to recognising outstanding performance and raising standards across the security business sector.”

*Only limited places are now available for the Thought Leadership Summit which begins at 11.15 am. Places can be booked for only £45 +VAT including luncheon, entrance to the conference and exhibition and all refreshments. Visit https://uk.theospas.com/summit2020/

NSI supports World Accreditation Day 2019

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) offered its full support to World Accreditation Day 2019 (#WAD2019). A global initiative celebrating accreditation, the event (which took place on Sunday 9 June) focused on accredited bodies like the NSI adding value in supply chains. 

From a security and fire safety sector perspective, installers and service providers of security and fire safety systems and security guarding solution are a vital ‘link in the chain’ with their expertise at the point of delivery, keeping people safe, ensuring security solutions harness suitable technology and that they’re fit for purpose.

Whether it be in the design, installation and commissioning of intruder alarms, access control systems, fire detection or suppression systems and CCTV or the monitoring of myriad guarding services, Best Practice in service provision by NSI-approved companies ensures that quality solutions are delivered to customers.

World Accreditation Day marked the work underway to launch ‘IAF CertSearch’, a website designed to provide buyers with the ability to verify management systems certificates such as ISO 9001 (itself a key component of NSI’s Gold approvals). This facility will help to distinguish certificates issued by accredited conformity assessment bodies (CABs), such as the NSI, from certificates issued by non-accredited CABs and to check the authenticity of a certificate.

Richard Jenkins, CEO at the NSI, commented: “World Accreditation Day plays an important role in promoting the value of accreditation and accredited conformity assessment. As an accredited certification body, the NSI conforms to ISO 17021-1 and ISO 17065 in the delivery of Certificates of Approval to over 1,800 approved companies operating in the UK and Eire. The worldwide system of accreditation spans economies accounting for 96% of global GDP*. The NSI is proud to play its small part in this ecosystem underpinning Best Practice, competency and consistent quality within our sector, as recognised by, among others, the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Security Industry Authority, the Surveillance Camera Commissioner, BAFE and industry and insurer stakeholders.”

Richard Jenkins

NSI Gold Approval combines Quality Management Systems approval ISO 9001 with specific product standards pertinent to services provided, in addition to NSI Quality Schedules and approval criteria specifically designed for the security and fire systems and guarding services sectors. The NSI adopts a ‘treat recommendations as mandatory’ stance with regard to all standards and Codes of Practice, affording buyers confidence that NSI-approved companies adhere to the latest Best Practice at all times.

For full details of the range of NSI approvals to international and British Standards and industry Codes of Practice visit www.nsi.org.uk

*Source: World Economic Forum

“New Government must help deliver productivity boost” urges ADS

Defence and security sector Trade Association ADS Group has stated that the UK’s future economic success will depend on the new Government working with industry to achieve a major boost in productivity.

Launching ADS’ five-point ‘General Election Manifesto’, CEO Paul Everitt said the spotlight would be on the new Government’s commitment to putting in place the foundations for substantial gains in productivity by attracting investment, supporting innovation and delivering a Brexit deal designed to sustain UK competitiveness.

“The UK needs a step change in productivity to fully achieve our potential and put vital sectors of our economy on the right footing to compete around the world,” stressed Everitt. “The Government elected on Thursday 8 June will face economic challenges that it must work in partnership with industry to address if we’re to achieve sustainable and long-term economic growth. Any failure to prioritise productivity gains would put at risk the UK’s future ability to generate high value jobs and maximise the economic potential of our ingenuity.”

Paul Everitt: CEO at the ADS Group

Everitt continued: “We need to see the development of an ambitious industrial strategy with full political and financial backing, support for SME investment in technologies and the latest advanced manufacturing processes, and prioritisation of innovation to make sure the UK benefits from the jobs, exports and growth that flow from new ideas.”

The five election priorities set out by ADS are as follows:

(1) Develop an ambitious Industrial Strategy that attracts global investment

The Government must build on successful sector strategies with long-term political and financial backing for an ambitious industrial strategy

(2) Prioritise productivity by investing in supply chains

Given the UK’s long-term productivity challenge, the UK must support SMEs in their ability to invest in new technologies, develop world-class skills and adopt the latest manufacturing processes

(3) Invest in industrial innovation

Prioritising and focusing funding on industrial innovation, as well as scientific research, would ensure that the UK benefits from the jobs, exports and growth that flow from our innovative ideas

(4) Enhance national security by investing in UK capability

The next Government should ensure its value for money analysis recognises and reflects the benefits of equipping a UK supply chain with the capabilities, technologies and engineering services necessary for our long-term national security

(5) Deliver a Brexit deal that sustains our global competitiveness

Our sectors’ ability to compete globally depends on a stable transition to a new deal with the EU that delivers what might best be termed ‘frictionless’ trade and access to regulators, R&D programmes and skills