Security Matters Podcast - Episode 7 now live to view

Episode 7 of the Security Matters Podcast includes three in-depth interviews. Our guests this time around are Angus Darroch-Warren CSyP FSyI (director at the Linx International Group), Richard Jackson (founder and chairman of the Gate Safe charity) and Steven Kenny, industry liaison for systems architecture and engineering at network video solutions developer Axis Communications.

Gus Darroch-Warren took on his director’s role at the Linx International Group in 2013 following eleven years with the business as a senior consultant and subsequent to a police career in South Africa in addition to two years working as a self-employed security consultant. Gus advises on security, risk and crisis management issues and the development of bespoke security programmes, regularly conducting security risk assessments and threat and vulnerability analyses for myriad clients operating key installations.

A Chartered Security Professional (CSyP), a Fellow of The Security Institute and an ASIS International-certified Physical Security Professional, Gus graduated from Loughborough University back in 2009 with an MSc in Security and Risk Management.

For its part, the Linx International Group was formed following the acquisition by security consultancy Linx International of two of the UK’s foremost security management training companies: Perpetuity Training and ARC Training International (now branded as PerpetuityARC Training). The Group has since been further expanded with the addition of Tavcom, a specialist in the sphere of security systems training.

Of late, there has been much discussion in security circles on the subject of Continuing Professional Development (CPD). The Security Institute is transacting great work in promoting CPD, while continual learning is very much part and parcel of becoming a CSyP (and maintaining that prestigious status). During Episode 7 of the Security Matters Podcast, Gus offers his own views on why he believes professional development is so important in today’s security business sector.

In terms of anecdotal evidence and actual activity on the ground, what type of training are individuals actively seeking and why? Obviously, the COVID-19 crisis has impacted security training, with the classroom-based scenario necessarily off limits for the last three months and more. That being so, what does the current shape of training delivery look like? Gus answers these key questions during Security Matters Podcast.

In addition to addressing the notion espoused by some commentators that instructor-led training and learning could now perhaps be a thing of the past, Gus also offers his thought-provoking take on what security training might look like as we enter the ‘new normal’.

Standards of safety

The Gate Safe charity was set up in 2010 to improve the standards of safety pertaining to automated gates and barriers and, most importantly, to put an end to any further tragic accidents and fatalities as a result of an unsafe gate or barrier installation.

The deaths of two young girls in two separate automated gate accidents within weeks of each other back in June and July 2010 were the catalysts for Gate Safe’s foundation. Both accidents were entirely preventable had the correct safety protocols been followed. These tragedies occurred on housing developments where automated gates had been installed as a means of access control to enhance security. Sadly, the very devices designed to safeguard these children, namely Semelia Campbell and Karolina Golabek, killed them.

Gate Safe was founded by Richard Jackson, who also serves as its chairman. Jackson has spent over 47 years in the fencing/gate industry and is the former CEO of Jacksons Fencing, the fencing and access control business boasting a multi-million-pound turnover. He masterminded Jacksons’ entry into the steel security products market and has a vast knowledge of all aspects of the physical security industry (including, of course, gate/barrier automation). After founding Gate Safe, Jackson subsequently stepped down as CEO at Jacksons Fencing to dedicate 100% of his time to the charity.

During the Security Matters Podcast, Jackson outlines the charity’s prime objectives and its target audience, as well as detailing the benefits to be realised by installers who choose to become Gate Safe Aware practitioners.

In addition to the training aspect, and in light of 2020 being Gate Safe’s Tenth Anniversary year, Jackson also picks out the charity’s key achievements to date and pinpoints current priorities as well as future goals.

Technologies in a crisis

As stated, Steven Kenny is industry liaison for systems architecture and engineering at Axis Communications. He has operated in the security business sector for 14 years now, assuming responsibility for key elements of mission-critical and often high-profile projects across a number of vertical markets.

For the last four years, Kenny has focused his attentions on how technology can best complement day-to-day business operations, specifically addressing operational issues and actively supporting the consultant community across Northern Europe.

In a pro bono capacity, Kenny is the director of systems, information and cyber security for ASIS International’s UK Chapter and the UK technology advisor for TINYg (the Global Terrorist Information Network). Importantly, Kenny’s also one of the key drivers behind the security convergence movement.

In conversation with Security Matters’ Editor Brian Sims, Kenny describes what he believes to be the biggest benefits of security technologies being deployed to address the current COVID-19 challenges and also outlines some of those technologies and how they’re being used on a daily basis.

When looking at deploying these technologies to address today’s COVID-19 challenges, what should buyers – ie end users – consider to be the fundamental areas of focus when it comes to selecting their technology partners? Kenny addresses this question and brings the conversation around to the aforementioned security convergence agenda.

Listen to the Security Matters Podcast

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*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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