The Association of Security Consultants (ASC) is 25 years old in 2016, having been formed by a small group of experienced security professionals drawn from security, insurance, military and police backgrounds. The current ASC chairman, Joe Connell, writes.
Just to put the last quarter-century into perspective, ask yourself this question: ‘If, in 1991, you were told that you could save all your operational business information to the cloud, but need to protect yourself from cyber-attack, would you have dismissed the teller as a Sci-Fi fantasist?’ Possibly, but that’s how far we have come in just 25 years.
Every stage of the way over that quarter century independent security consultants have been advising private, government and corporate clients on the range of threats and risks they face and, most importantly, the necessary steps they need to prevent, manage and recover from such threats.
Where were we in the 1990s?
•Prior to the Northern Ireland Peace Process, the main threat from terrorism in the United Kingdom was from the Provisional IRA, and 1991 itself was marked with an attack on 10 Downing Street coming very close to wiping out the UK Cabinet.
•Conflicts in the former Yugoslavia and former USSR saw British citizens gaining ‘combat’ experience in support of perceived injustices and, as a result, exposure to radical international ideologies.
•The European Union comprised just 12 countries in 1991, free movement of people and goods had not yet been facilitated, that followed the Maastricht Treaty in 1992.
•Concerns about crime were mostly focussed on acquisitive crime, personal safety and anti-social behaviour.
•Shifting international borders and regime changes led to the globalisation of organised crime, ‘McMafia’ as described by one notable author, turning criminal targeting into a major international business enterprise.
•The march of technology saw the widespread growth of the internet, the use of email and the dawn of what we now know as ‘Social Media’ and introduced a vast range of new risks and opportunities.
Where are we in 2016?
I don’t need to outline specifically where we are now in terms of threat, as that’s often too obvious every time we read the news. Suffice it to say that the threats and risks we face today in our personal lives and our corporate lives are very much changed, and more complex. I estimate that I have been personally subjected to more crimes and attempted crimes in 2016 than I was during the whole of the 1990s – Does that fact keep me awake at night? Mostly, the answer is ‘no’ as these ‘crimes’ often come in the form of emails and texts attempting to get me to part with valuable information, my personal or corporate wealth, or simply to cause malicious damage or harm to me, my associates, or my business. The mitigation is relatively simple in most cases, however, the more complex and planned attacks on our personal and corporate data can inflict major loss and damage, therefore individual and corporate responses need to be geared appropriately.
The scale and nature of organised crime and contemporary forms of terrorism seriously affect how we plan and conduct our social and business lives, which need to incorporate prevention and recovery strategies. Technological advances by those that mean us harm have been matched exponentially by technologies that combat the threats and help keep us secure. Advanced technologies, including use of electronic signalling, imaging, biometrics, smart engineering and design coupled with enhanced personnel procedures based on experiences, good and bad, all go towards maintaining our continued safety and security. The shrinking of public resources has seen many functions, previously the strict remit of our police, military and other government agencies, now performed solely by, or in partnership with the commercial security sector.
Evolution of the Independent Security Consultant
The founders of the Association of Security Consultants brought their individual experience from long careers across the various facets of the private and public security sectors. By providing up-to-date threat, risk and mitigation advice, totally independent of the provision of specific products and services, they quickly established themselves as core of independent security consultancy.
As the ASC has grown, it has engaged in all aspects of professionalising the security industry. Its members have been instrumental in assisting, leading where required, the formulation of British Standards and Skills for Security. ASC is a key member of the Security Commonwealth, actively engaging with all other professional elements of the security industry, and is actively involved in the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry, principally the Defence & Security Group. ASC promotes future professionalism in the security industry through its annual Imbert Prize for academic contribution, and the Security Association prizes.
In 2016, ASC members are drawn from an even wider range of security specialisms, their global experience reflecting the reality of dealing with contemporary risk and threats of all shapes and sizes. ASC numbers are limited due to the stringent entry requirements, which include commitment to the provision of ‘independent’ advice and compliance with the ASC’s strict Code of Conduct. Full Members are entered on the unique UK Register of Independent Security Consultants which qualifies them to use ‘RISC’ post-nominal and the ASC collective mark and logo to provide assurance to clients and partners that they are vetted, subject to peer review, professional and truly independent. Associate members go through similar stringent vetting procedures.
ASC – looking ahead
ASC strives to keep ahead of the threats and the skills and technologies required to successfully mitigate risk. CONSEC is the ASC’s annual Conference and Exhibition. This year’s theme is ‘The Challenge of Security in a Changing World’ which aims to take a global strategic forecast of the security issues of now and the future, with leading speakers covering specialist subject matters including terrorism, cyber threats, global population movement, threats to aviation, and also considering the future skills required for security and the UK’s role in achieving global security.
Come and learn
The ASC is celebrating 25 years of independent security consultancy with an evening of fine food, drinks and entertainment on Friday, September 9, 2016 at the Honourable Artillery Company in the City of London. You may book a place here: http://securityconsultants.org.uk/item/15-asc-25th-anniversary.
CONSEC will be held on Thursday, October 13, 2016 at The London Heathrow Marriott Hotel (pictured, some of the 2015 audience). You may book a place here http://securityconsultants.org.uk/item/12-new-title.
The ASC holds seasonal Business Groups at the Honourable Artillery Company in London, aimed at learning, sharing and networking. They are open to all security professionals and users of security services. Check out the ASC website at http://securityconsultants.org.uk/member-events.
