Interviews

Institute AGM

by msecadm4921

Security Institute Chairman Mike Bluestone CSyP reported a year of progress for the organisation at its Annual General Meeting, hosted by Allen & Overy in London on May 3. Details below from the Security Institute.   

 

 

Institute Vice-President and Founding Chairman Geoff Whitfield was in attendance, with directors and members of the organisation. Mike delivered his report which included details of several successes in the last 12 months, largely due to the introduction of portfolios of responsibilities for the Board of Directors. Progress has included the launch of a second Good Practice Guide on Risk Management, recognition and growth of the  distance learning programme, and consolidation of core Institute features including the CPD scheme, mentoring programme, student membership and management of the Register for Chartered Security Professionals. 

 

The election of Directors saw Azeem Aleem, David Gill, Emma Shaw and Jerry Woods being returned for further terms in office with the Security Institute, plus Guy Mathias (HLS), Sharon Williams (Morgans Hotel Group) and Richard Bell (Transport for London) joining the Board as newly elected directors.

 

After the AGM, a number of presentations were made, including Chartered Security Professional certificates to Andy Smith (AIS Infosec), Chris Tomlinson (Arup Resilience, Security and Risk) and Gary Jackson (University of Southampton).  A Certificate of Appreciation was also given to Institute Member Alan Gardner (London Borough of Enfield) for his commitment to introducing the concept of the National CCTV Standards Forum, and engaging a key group of stakeholders over a period of many months, culminating in the Forum’s launch earlier this year.

 

Chairman’s Report to the Annual General Meeting

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to extend to each and every one of you, an especially warm welcome to this our 2012 Annual General Meeting of the Security Institute.

 

Before I address the main content of my report, I would like to firstly express my gratitude to Lord Alex for his ongoing support and for taking time out of his very busy diary to support the Security Institute. Unfortunately, due to his court commitments, he is unable to be here at the AGM this year, and has asked me to pass on his apologies. I know that I speak for every Institute member when I say that his continuing support for this Institute is so very much appreciated, and I will be passing you your thanks in person when I next see him.

 

I would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Joe Greenan and all of his colleagues here at Allen & Overy for hosting this evening’s AGM. Thank you Joe! In addition, a huge ‘thank you’ to the management of IFSEC who are kindly sponsoring the cheese and wine Reception at Jamie’s Bar and Restaurant on Bishopsgate following the conclusion of these proceedings.

 

Let me also pay tribute to our outstanding and truly dedicated Head Office Team, led by our very own indomitable and delightful Di Thomas, who is supported by Karen Newman, Ciara Morgan, Vickie Bailiss and Paula Stanbridge. I am immensely proud of this team, whose commitment and dedication do us proud consistently and with good humour. The challenges never cease and yet they continue to meet them. The team has worked especially hard of course to arrange and plan this meeting as well as last week’s two day exhibition stand at Counter Terror Expo. Those of you who attended the event would I feel sure, have been struck by the outstanding design of our stand, as well as the constant flow of visitors and member volunteers who took part in the manning rota. I also wish to thank Affiliate member Liz Lloyd, who has been providing additional back office support to the HQ team and to my co-director, Mike Hurst, who has grasped the Events portfolio with his typical gusto and enthusiasm. 

 

I also take this opportunity to publically acknowledge the major contribution made to the life of this Institute by my equally hard working and dedicated fellow Board directors, several of whom are here today. The current Board is my loyal Vice Chairman and Director responsible for Business, David Gill; Emma Shaw, our Finance Director and chair of the Validation Board; Dr Alison Wakefield, the Academic Board Chairman; Garry Evanson, Director of Standards; Ken Livingstone of Learning; Mike Hurst, Director of Events; Andrew Nicholls, Recruitment Director; Joe Greenan, Legal and Ethics Director; Azeem Aleem, Cyber-Security Director; Jerry Woods, Director of Publications. I thank you all.

 

I would also like to thank Mike O’Neill, Louise Lush and Maria Cox who have stepped down from the Board during the past year. I appreciate their help and understand their frustrations when “day job” activity gets in the way. 

 

A special ‘thank you’ too to our SyI Company Secretary, Nigel Churton for his efficient handling of the formal part of today’s AGM and throughout the year.

Nigel is about to complete his one year term as Master of the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals, and by all accounts has done a superb job.

 

I thank all of you, our fantastic membership, for your support and feedback on a wide range of issues with so many of you volunteering your time over and over again, whether it be for our unique and much admired Validation Board, or for the Academic Board, plus the many working/focus groups whose individual and collective contribution to the daily life of this Institute continues to make SyI the envy of other professional bodies. Thank you all, and thank you for being here today! 

 

Something which gave me personal joy the past year was to see my two predecessors Geoff Whitfield and Bill Wyllie, along with Stewart Kidd, be awarded honorary posts as Institute Vice Presidents. Stewart Kidd worked his sock offs for many years as the Validation Board Registrar, and by honouring our new VPs in this way, we have acknowledged their vision, foresight, and commitment to the foundations of this Institute.  I am immensely proud to have been an early ‘convert’ to SyI and to have been admitted back in 2000 as member Number 20!

 

Sadly, during the year we have also mourned the passing of a number of Institute members namely, Chris Hatton MSyI, Eric Tucker (an Honorary Fellow, who joined IISec in 1974) Tony Hunter-Choat FSyI, and former members Chris Hughes (Joined 2000) and Bruce Woodcock (IISec Director at the time of the merger in Jan 2008). We pay tribute to them. They will not be forgotten.

 

So, what has your Board and the HQ team been up to over the past twelve months?

 

Firstly, the Board continues to work using the portfolio system with all. Directors focussed on their specific tasks and areas of responsibility. They are empowered to get on with their roles, and maintain overall control over their specialist areas. Sadly, three directors have left the Board in the past year, including Maria Cox, who has left the security sector, yet who despite that, continues to help with the CPD programme she helped to create!   

 

The Board’s objectives continue to be both growing the membership, and enhancing the value of membership 

 

So what have we all achieved together, over the past twelve months, and how far have we come?

Taking firstly, the size of our membership, we have now reached 1,200. In 2011 we saw 208 new joiners – a remarkable achievement given these tough economic times. 

 

Especially satisfying, has been the ongoing progress following the launch in 2009 of the Student membership programme, which saw a further 27 new student members join us since the last AGM. The fact that young students are aspiring to make professional security practice a career of first choice, and are choosing the Institute as their professional ‘home’, must be a good thing for all of us.

 

Just recently, Institute Fellow, Sharon Williams, stepped forward to become the new Lead for the Student programme, and we wish Sharon every success in that new role.

 

Closely allied to the student membership programme, is the SyI Wilf Knight Award managed on behalf of the Institute by Garry Evanson. Last year we were able to congratulate Leonie Darbon and Matt Mackmin on receiving their joint awards at the prestigious Security Excellence Awards. This year through our ongoing development programme with universities, we anticipate a wider take-up of entries as the Institute message is broadcast further, and invitations to participate in the 2012 Award will shortly be issued. 

 

Also helping to attract new student members is the ongoing success of the now established Mentoring programme. This programme is not just for newcomers to the security sector, and several mature members are successfully taking advantage of this valuable free member benefit. Barrie Stewart has kindly agreed to be the new Lead for the Mentoring programme and we wish him every success in that important role.

 

The enhancement in accreditation and recognition of our SyI Diploma and Certificate programmes, (levels 5 and 3 respectively) delivered by Perpetuity Training, has led to a continuing increase in distance learning students, which has also generated welcome cash flow into the Institute’s coffers.

 

New arrangements are now in place with Leicester University and University Centre at Blackburn College: 

 

With the University of Leicester, holders of our Diploma are now exempt from 3 complete modules (60 credits) on the foundation degree in Security and Risk Management, leaving just 9 modules to complete. The foundation degree can be completed over 2-, 3- or event 4-years, and there is also a top-up option to take it to a BA.

 

With regard to the University Centre at Blackburn College – they are launching a Foundation Degree in Security Management in October 2012, available by Distance Learning supported by weekend workshops. The course content has been carefully developed in conjunction with Ken Livingstone at Perpetuity Training, such that all the learning outcomes of our own Diploma in Security Management will be delivered through studying on this Blackburn programme.

 

As a result, on successful completion of the course in addition to the Foundation Degree, students will also acquire The Security Institute Diploma in Security Management, thus giving automatic full membership of the Security Institute (subject to application and vetting). All course students will be eligible to become Institute student members, and we will receive the usual course fee from the college so that there is no “watering down” of our revenue stream.

 

Both the Leicester and Blackburn courses are available now for this September intake, and the university and college contact details are available on the Security Institute website.

 

We also saw further Master Class programmes on “Maintaining Security in a Recession” and “Designing out Extremism and Crime in the Built Environment” where delegates can make a detailed study of particular aspects of security. 

 

We continue to be keen supporters of Professor Martin Gill’s SRI initiative, and we will be continuing our support for this superb initiative this year.  

 

Your Board also resolved to become more deeply engaged with other industry and sector wide bodies, in combined efforts to help raise standards in security. In a new initiative for the sector, Institute member Alan Gardner has worked tirelessly in establishing the new National CCTV Standards Forum with the full support of the Institute. An idea to set up a special interest group within the Institute has grown into a National body, establishing its own identity and credibility, and supported by all the key players. The CNSF is a body of professional representatives of organisations that wish to be involved in improving the technical standards, use and deployment of CCTV, the delivery of professional training, development and standard to CCTV managers and staff that perform those duties. They will provide advice and guidance to the Home Office in the way public space CCTV is utilised and provide safeguards and reassurances to ensure privacy of individuals’ data is also taken into account.

 

This unique group will transfer information and provide a link between the other identified sector areas to stimulate, discuss, develop and promote best practice in the CCTV industry. It is made up of representatives from ACPO, Metropolitan Police, British Transport Police, NHS Trusts, British Retail Consortium, British Council of Shopping Centre Managers, Transport Sector, Skills for Security, Association of Train Operating Companies, Public CCTV Managers Association, The Security Institute, Association of Security Consultants and the Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO).

 

In other standards development areas, we have taken part in a number of high level initiatives with the SIA, the BSIA, the Swedish Foretags University, and Skills for Security. These initiatives have included taking part in seminars, conferences, and workshops with the RSMF and ASC.

 

We are also working together with the British Standards Institute the BSIA and Skills for Security in the development of an approved Guidance Document for Security Management.  

 

The Security Institute continues to support the work of the Security Regulation Alliance, and your Chairman continues to represent the Institute on the SIA Strategic Consultation Group, ensuring that our voice will always be heard on the important issue of Regulation.

 

We have also continued to build upon the excellent relationships with the organisers of IFSEC and Counter-Terror Expo, and added the smaller Transport Security Exhibition and the Total Security Summit to our list of supported events. CTX saw several Board and Institute members taking part in chairing sessions, or sitting on panels at these two important events, as will be the case for next months’ IFSEC event . We are also grateful to both organisations for their generous sponsorship of SyI events. 

 

Indeed, let me take this opportunity to thank all of our sponsors over the past twelve months for their generous sponsorship. They are too numerous to mention them all now, but to all of our sponsors I say that your support is invaluable, and we salute you all!  

 

The Institute also supported the recent ASIS European Conference in London last month, with your Chairman taking part in a Panel discussion on the professionalization of the security industry.

 

The convening of interesting and varied members’ events has been another feature of the past twelve months. For example, we held the widely acclaimed ‘Great Debate’ in February when Institute Fellow Chris Brogan, pulled together the panel of speakers comprising Dr Peter Speight (Reliance Security Services), Rachel Robinson (Liberty), Nick Pickles (Big Brother Watch) and Bill Butler (SIA CEO). Brian Sims (Hon FSyI of SMT online) acted as the panel Chairman. 

 

Nor can we forget our third Remembrance Lecture held here at Allen & Overy at which General Sir Jack Deverall delivered such a poignant and fascinating address on the work of our armed forces and set out his views of various area of global conflict. We also had the privilege of Lord Bramall’s presence at that event.

 

Now these events don’t just happen, and I want to pay tribute to all of our members who volunteer their time to arrange events. Well done to you all! 

 

Our voluntary CPD programme has been with us for over three years now. You will recall, that it is compulsory for student and graduate members and CSyPs, and as I mentioned earlier, dedicated former Director, Maria Cox, continues to oversee the scheme. 

 

Maria has reviewed the third year of responses and issued certificates. Although numbers of voluntary participants are lower than we would like, the change to compulsory CPD for student members, graduates and CSyPs will see numbers increase this year. 

Of those that did participate in 2011, there is a marked improvement in the data being collated as participants become more familiar with the scheme, and the new Scoring Matrix 4 developed by the VB Working Group now gives 1 point per completed CPD year especially useful for those working towards revalidation. Skills for Security, IFSEC, Counter Terror Expo, ASIS International, ASC, PISF, TINYg, Transport Security and ADS are just some of the organisations who recognise our scheme, carry its logo on the marketing material for their learning events, and offer double points for attendance.

During the past twelve months we have also witnessed the publication and launch of the second in our new series of Good Practice Guides, the second one covering the subject of ‘Security Risk Management’, the authors being Institute members Jamie Stephen, Phil Moch, Gary Poole, Mark Chapple and Glen Kitteringham, with yet a third Guide being launched this month on ‘CCTV’ and written by Gordon Tyerman, Bill Wyllie, Chris Brogan, Robert Rodgers, Emma Shaw and Alastair Freeborn. 

 

The production of our Good Practice Guides continues to be managed most ably by Jerry Woods, and is supported by a number of volunteer members who have been involved in the proof reading and editing stages. To all you, I say a huge ‘thank you’!  I commend these Guides to you all as useful and practical reference material. 

 

Work is also about to start on the fourth guide concentrating on manned guarding services, and if you would like to volunteer to be involved, please contact Jerry Woods.

 

On the International front – we have continued our cooperation with the South African Institute of Security, as well as with Foretags College in Sweden, being the Security Faculty of Stockholm University. 

 

I recently wrote to every member regarding the update on our efforts to achieve a Royal Charter for the Institute. Whilst the Privy Council Office acknowledged the fact that the Institute has fulfilled many of the criteria necessary to achieve Chartered Status, we have more work to do. 

 

As a result of that feedback I have broadened the membership of the Charter Steering Group, which is now joined by Baroness Henig. I call upon you all to be patient whilst we get our ducks in a row for the next phase of our application. It will take time, but I am confident that we will achieve it. We have great support from many influential quarters, and I would remind you of the 50 letters of support for the original application.

 

One of the challenges is for the Institute to raise its profile in the media, and for Institute subject matter experts to be quoted on security topics of national and global interest. We will meet that challenge. 

 

Equally, we respect the discerning nature of the Charter process, and accept that it won’t be a quick win. However, once achieved, the granting of our Charter will be that much sweeter. 

 

I can assure you that our determination to achieve the Charter is unbreakable!

 

On a parallel theme, the Register of Chartered Security Professionals is now nearly one year old. 

 

Launched in June 2011 and owned by the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals, the Security Institute has been managing and operating the Register since its inception. 

 

It is worth reminding ourselves that attainment of this certification, namely CSyP, places Registrants on a par with other recognised professionals, be they lawyers, Chartered Engineers, Accountants, Architects and other recognised professionals The Chartered Security Professionals Registration Authority overseas the integrity of the Register and its Registrants, and the authority is chaired by Lord Carlile. My VC David Gill is the very effective Registrar, and Louise Lush and I sit on the Registration Authority which is chaired by Lord Alex and co-ordinated by Di Thomas.

 

To date, 24 people have been admitted to the Register, including the latest CSyP Jason Brown (admitted on Friday 27th April) who is based in Australia. Gary Jackson, Matt Brittle, Chris Tomlinson and Andy Smith are all attending the AGM to have their CSyP certificates presented. 

My fervent hope is that many more Institute Members, and Fellows, will seek to become CSyPs. Not everyone will or can make the grade. The requirements are tough, but it is inevitable that the Institute will provide the major pool of new Registrants.

 

As I said last year, the Register however, does not seek to replace, and indeed cannot replace the Institute as the natural home and body for the generic pool of security professionals. It is for that very reason that having our own Charter will be so important to us, so that Members and Fellows who do not seek to become, or who are not yet qualified to become CSyPs, can nevertheless be recognised for their many skills, achievements and experience, as Members or Fellows of the Chartered Security Institute.

 

As for the remainder of this year, we remain committed to consolidating and developing all of the initiatives which I have highlighted today, and with particular emphasis on the next crucial stage of our application for chartered Status.

 

We are also actively engaging with other security bodies and associations to explore areas of closer cooperation. In this regard, I am delighted that earlier this year, the Institute signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding with the leading security industry trade association, ADS. This arrangement opens up opportunities for the Institute to significantly reach out to a larger pool of potential members as well as enhancing our profile at leading events such as the Farnborough International Air Show, and other high profile Defence and global security events. 

 

We look forward to a long and successful relationship with ADS.

 

With the ever increasing concerns relating to Cyber-Security, the Board has resolved to widen our engagement in that field of activity. This initiative is being led by our Director of Cyber Risk/Research, Azeem Aleem. Azeem has been driving the Cyber threat agenda through a Converged strategic approach.

 

From a recent Institute e-news, members would have seen that we been actively participating in the development of convergence as a methodology; our work with PWC, NFA, IISP and other security bodies has been endorsed by many companies.

 

Members will be interested to hear that we are developing a new Centre for Cyber Security in cooperation with the University of Portsmouth, which will serve the purpose of educating members towards the latest cyber threats that businesses are facing and the preventive strategies to tackle it. This project is scheduled to be up and running by December 2012. If you wish to be part of this initiative do let us know. 

 

Further, in the same vein, during the past year contributions made by Institute members to Portsmouth University Cyber Security projects included an examination of Internet auction fraud, and a report addressing Design/methodology/approach, which presented the findings of an original research survey (of 200 IT professionals working both in the public and private sectors) undertaken to examine their privacy, and data security concerns associated with the Cloud platform. This report will be available online from next month.

 

In addition, in recent weeks, we have broadened our contacts with Cyber Security Challenge (CSC) a non-profit making body dedicated to harnessing the IT talent amongst young people, by influencing and assisting them to obtain gainful employment in Cyber-Security. Cyber Security Challenge have recognised the part that this Institute can play in providing a long-term ‘home’ for these young people, and we will shortly be entering into a more formal arrangement with CSC to do just that.     

 

As to the future, allow me to vent my own thoughts on the road ahead:

 

As an Institute, we have succeeded in meeting the challenges of the economic recession, and expanded, and I am pleased to report that, our finances continue to be very sound indeed. Our outstanding Finance Director (Emma Shaw) keeps us on track with professional budgeting, forecasting and reporting, so that the Board is consistently well informed. This enables us to be confident in our financial decision-making. Our reputation remains strong and is growing. 

 

We are listened to, which means that every one of your own opinions and concerns has a value and is also listened to.

 

Please continue to share your thoughts with us – by phone, email, by attending meetings or communicating through our increasingly popular LinkedIn group. We will always work hard to fly your flag on an issue of concern, but we need be made aware of your concerns. We will always try our best for you all because, this is your Institute!   

 

Along with the rest of UK plc, the security industry is not immune from the ongoing instability in the global economy. Financial pressures are keeping all of us on our toes 

 

The buying public, your clients, your customers, and end users, continue to demand increased professionalism, and higher standards. They don’t always want to pay for it, but they demand it nevertheless!

 

Terrorism, single-issue extremism, direct action groups and crime are the catalysts for that.

 

More and more people continue to turn to the private security world to help keep them safe and secure.

 

I am proud of this Institute and proud of our members. You continue to volunteer in large numbers. 

•You support me, the Board and our HQ team.

•You volunteer for the VB, the AB and other working and focus groups

•You take part in consultation processes

•You have stepped forward to become Charter Security Professionals

•You are supporting our efforts to obtain a Royal Charter

•You continue to pay your subscription charges!

•You consistently introduce new members

 

For all of the above, I thank you….and by the way, we are always interested in seeing more volunteers stepping forward…….

 

I repeat the calls I have made during the past three years, to the whole Institute membership to get behind your Board, help us to achieve chartered status, help us to raise funds, help us to sponsor events.  We know that you are there for the Institute – and we are here for you. 

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