Security Matters Podcast – Episode 10 now live to view

Episode 10 of the Security Matters Podcast includes interviews with leaders in the arenas of security guarding and electronic security systems. Our guests on this occasion are David Ward (the CEO and former managing director of Ward Security, an SIA Approved Contractor Scheme-registered company which specialises in security guarding solutions, key holding and alarm response for myriad clients) and Alistair Enser, the CEO at Reliance High-Tech, the independent provider of electronic security and dedicated lone worker protection systems.

Ward Security’s services include not only security guarding and patrolling, but also CCTV systems, concierge and reception services, void property management, guard dog security, search and detection dogs, key holding, alarm systems, intruder detection and lone worker support/response.

The company works diligently to protect businesses of all sizes and key vertical sectors, forging security solutions for high-profile commercial offices, business parks, retailers, Shopping Centres, airlines and Data Centres. Ward Security also works with local authorities on protecting open spaces and parks within communities.

The business provides services on a contract basis. With over 1,000 employees and offices in London, Kent, Manchester and Milton Keynes, Ward Security is well placed to serve clients on a national footing.

A member of The Security Institute, David Ward has worked at Ward Security for just over 23 years and has recently been at the forefront of the industry’s push for key worker status when it comes to security officers and their vital role.

David is a Board Trustee for the Cross-Sector Safety and Security Communications initiative and also founder and chairman of the City Security Council. The latter is a collective of premier security companies based in the City of London that work in collaboration with the City of London Police and the City of London Corporation to offer support in times of crisis or when any major events take place in The Square Mile.

Lessons learned to date

During Episode 10 of the Security Matters Podcast, David discusses – during an in-depth conversation with Security Matters’ Editor Brian Sims – how Ward Security has fared during the pandemic and what lessons the business has learned to date. In addition, he outlines new measures that the company has put in place to protect its team members, while also continuing to provide a strong service for the client base at all times.

David also turns his attentions towards the aforementioned City Security Council, outlining its importance across the last 12 months and its overriding value to member companies, the police service and, indeed, the security industry as a whole.

There has been much talk of late about the need to pay essential workers more and duly recognise them for the professionals they are given the importance of their roles (and particularly so during the current scenario). David is known as someone who has spoken at great length on this subject within the context of the security officer’s role. What are his current thoughts on this matter given the renewed importance the COVID-19 pandemic has inevitably placed on such key roles? How do we ensure that improved rates of pay are actually delivered for practising security officers? David offers his thoughts on Episode 10 of the Security Matters Podcast.

With more people now working from home and on a remote basis, is there any sense that the role of the security officer may be at risk of becoming redundant at some point? Is there any potential for the day when technology completely replaces boots on the ground? David delivers a firm ‘No’ on both counts and explains his reasoning for those responses.

Last, but not least, is the security industry offering enough in the way of incentives to attract the most talented individuals to its ranks? What more could or should the sector be doing to ensure that there are educated and bright people lining up to join the profession? If you want to find out David’s thoughts here then make sure you listen to Episode 10.

Technology integration

As mentioned, our second guest on Episode 10 of the Security Matters Podcast is Alistair Enser, the CEO of Reliance High-Tech. The holder of an MBA from the University of Wales, Alistair spent seven years as global sales director for Siemens Security Products before becoming president and managing director for the global technology and products group at STANLEY.

CEO at Reliance High-Tech since 2018, Alistair regularly engages with customers from a wide variety of key verticals, among them practitioners working in the Critical National Infrastructure space, Government, education, healthcare and logistics.

Reliance High-Tech is one of the UK’s leading independent security technology integrators. The business has been working with public and private sector organisations alike for over 40 years now, all the while seeking to improve security regimes. Working in partnership with the foremost CCTV, access control and Physical Security Information Management providers, the company delivers innovative technology solutions for an array of blue chip customers.

Many commentators are waxing lyrical about the ‘new normal’ resulting from the pandemic. On Episode 10 of the Security Matters Podcast, Alistair paints a picture of what he feels this may look like and also addresses the assertion that technology could be the sole answer to the challenges end users are currently facing.

In terms of the necessarily shifting responses to the pandemic itself, what have these meant for those security system end users and what should the security industry be doing as a collective to support organisations at this time? Alistair answers both questions in great detail.

Finally, Alistair also reviews what the security industry should be doing beyond the pandemic.

Listen to the Security Matters Podcast

You can listen to the Security Matters Podcast – kindly sponsored by The Security Event, which runs at the NEC in Birmingham from 27-29 April 2021 – for free on iTunes or Spotify. To download the Security Matters Podcast on iTunes or Spotify, all you need to do is enter the term ‘Security Matters’ into your chosen platform’s search box.

Alternatively, you can listen to the Security Matters Podcast online at https://securitymatters.podbean.com/ or via the dedicated Security Matters YouTube channel by clicking here.

*If there are any particular topics or themes you would like us to cover on future editions of the Security Matters Podcast (which are live to view every fortnight on Wednesdays) please do contact us. You can do so on Twitter by using the hashtag #SecurityPod or simply send an e-mail direct to bsims@westernbusiness.media

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