The 38th International East-West Security Conference organised by Capricorn Conferences and Exhibitions was held on November 5 and 6, at the elegant Hotel West End on the Promenade des Anglais, in Nice.
Delegates from private and public sector organisations from the Russian Federation and Ukraine took part in two days of presentations by speakers from the UK, USA, Italy and Russia, supported by simultaneous translation in English and Russian.
Conference Chairman, Patrick Somerville QPM, welcomed the delegates and under the theme of “Protecting Yourself and Your Business” reflecting the recent collapse of several retail and other sector businesses. He introduced a programme that included corporate governance and regulation in the UK with emphasis on the “Comply or Explain” approach to compliance with codes of conduct and management. The issues of integrated security management and fraud prevention practices were highlighted by case histories from various jurisdictions, with understanding of the “Audit Expectation Gap” between stakeholders and auditors evidenced by the failure to the discovery of fraud at all levels during formal audits.
The need for business continuity and planning based on the international ISO 22301 framework was discussed against the background of global threats to business from cyber-crime and related activities. New cyber counter measures including the growing use of artificial intelligence, video analytics and biometrics as tools to protect national critical infrastructures, businesses and public services outlined how governments and industries were raising the protection required against increasingly sophisticated and penetrating threats.
Various speakers addressed the importance of protecting corporate assets with emphasis on due diligence procedures to prevent insider crimes and fraud. Case studies of elaborate schemes and compliance failures in the commercial and banking sectors resulting in massive losses and illegal gains demonstrated the efforts needed to investigate and prosecute those responsible.
Other topics discussed included the operation of Russian commercial activities, including measures to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing in a business engaged in the leasing of plant and stock for the operation of railways and other enterprises.
Concerns about identify theft, data security and protection from cyber-attacks featured prominently. Delegates were again urged to ensure that awareness of new developments and systems and the protective measures needed were not only understood at board level, but were recognised and endorsed as board responsibilities for effective implementation and oversight where required.
At a closing banquet several delegates expressed their appreciation of the opportunity to meet with colleagues from other countries, sharing professional experiences through presentations and discussions, and gaining knowledge and understanding of best business practices in countries represented.
The International East West Security Conferences are promoted twice yearly by Capricorn Exhibitions and Conferences with several other supporting bodies and held in various European cities to promote understanding and the exchange ideas and information between those engaged in managing security in the UK, member states of the European Union, the Russian Federation and other countries in eastern Europe.
