Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Security Matters

2023 has been another very busy year for the security industry, with the Government moving towards making the Protect Duty (ie Martyn’s Law) a legal reality for venue operators up and down the country through legislation.

Back in June, we ran the second edition of the Fire and Security Matters Awards at the CBS Arena in Coventry. Entries for the 2024 awards scheme (for which the Headline Sponsor is BAFE) are already open. Check out the categories online now and submit your entries. The deadline for entries is 14 April, with the ceremony taking place on 12 June, again at the CBS Arena.

In November, the Security Matters Digital Conference 2023 realised a host of first-class presentations for our online audience. All of the sessions – covering subjects including crime reduction, Artificial Intelligence and security, threat management and organisational resilience, career development, apprenticeships and facial recognition technology – are now available to view On Demand and qualify for CPD thanks to our ongoing arrangement with The Security Institute.Access the event website.

On the acquisition trail

Also in November, Western Business Media – the publisher of Security Matters – purchased Professional Security Installer, Benchmark and Risk Xtra magazines from Pro-Activ Publications Ltd. The acquisition means that Western Business Media – also the founder and owner of the aforementioned Fire and Security Matters Awards – is now the UK’s largest publisher in the security business sector.

Western Business Media’s CEO Mark Sennett stated: “From the point of view of our clients and readers, we are now stronger as a combined business. We offer quality security magazines, digital products and live events that cater for the entire buying chain. Our audience reach has never been more extensive.”

Nineteen Group partnership

Our strong and highly valued partnership with the Nineteen Group continued in 2023, with Security Matters serving as the Lead Media Partner for The Security Event, while also continuing to serve as a Media Partner for the International Security Expo, the National Cyber Security Show and the International Cyber Expo.

In addition to the Security Matters Digital Conference 2003, the online domain also witnessed Security Matters hosting more webinars featuring companies including Freevolt Technologies and Bandweaver, with the content for all accredited for CPD.

We’ve also continued to bring you our hugely popular Security Matters Podcast. Episode 29 is live to view, with Episode 30 following in January.

On top of all that, we’ve also delivered 47 editions of our very popular e-News bulletin and, of course, four editions of the print magazine itself.

You can view all four print editions by accessing our digital archive. Read the December 2023 issue online now.

Progression for the sector

Throughout the course of this year, we hope that all of our readers, contributors and commercial partners have benefited from working with us. We do what we do for the industry and its continuing development and betterment, but we couldn’t do that without your invaluable support.

Once again, we wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year. We look forward to working with you in 2024 – when we’ll be running the inaugural edition of Security Matters Live – and we’ll see you all again on 2 January.