Q A&


with Allan Chabot PROVIDING


Security Matters: As senior security manager at Bell, what is your mis sion and what are your main job re


? ?


sponsibilities? Allan Chabot: At Bell, the protection of our network, equipment, IT systems and software, and the information stored in our data centres is very important to our operations. My team’s shared mission and main job responsibilities are to manage a physical security program that provides governance, leadership and subject matter expertise to Bell Canada, as it relates to the diligent management of risk and protection of these assets.


employees about corporate security policies, practices and directives? AC: As a security practitioner I recognize that the effectiveness of our programs is only as good as the individual actions and decisions made by employees. In today’s workplace, people are busy and constantly bombarded with information, so any initia- tives have to be geared toward engaging people, be relevant to their work environ- ment, and be simple. At Bell, there is a mix of formal and informal training of which the mandatory yearly review of our employee code of conduct sets the baseline.


SM: What part of Bell?s business are you responsible for? Secondly, do you approach each segment of the business differently when it comes to security? AC: I’m responsible for most of Bell, with the exception of its corporate stores, CTV and Alliant. So given the large geographic footprint and different operations and ter- ritories, each segment of the business has unique needs and threats. Although the high-level objectives remain constant, the selection and application of counter- measures must be adapted to fit the needs of each business. For example, I work closely with a management group to implement security measures at our large campuses that align with the open con- cept needed for a collaborative environ- ment. At our new customer-data centres, stringent physical security objectives have to be met while delivering a flawless cus- tomer experience.


SM: How does Bell train and educate 10 SECURITY MATTERS • WINTER 2011


SM: What specific challenges do you have when it comes to developing, maintaining and improving the se


?


curity of one of Canada?s largest telecommunications company? AC: Ensuring our physical security pro- grams are evolving to continue to meet the changing needs of the business. It would be easy to say no to everything and maintain the status quo. Having a nimble and responsive program allows us to find ways to say “Yes.” My team and I are constantly challenging our- selves to find creative solutions that allow our security programs to be viewed as business enablers.


?


GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP


SECURITY MATTERS SITS DOWN WITH ALLAN CHABOT, SENIOR SECURITY MANAGER, ASSET PROTECTION AT BELL CANADA, TO DISCUSS THE EVOLUTION OF GUARD SERVICES, STAFF TRAINING AND HOW HE SELECTS A SECURITY SOLUTION PROVIDER


Bell has one of the world’s largest sec- tional-managed electronic access control systems. This simplifies the management of access control and the standards around its deployment and integration with other security measures.


SM: What advice can you give other businesses when it comes to choosing a


security integrator? AC: In this case, I have a four-step process: 1) be specific with the objectives you are trying to meet or problems you want resolved prior to engaging in a new security venture; 2) ask lots of questions - make sure the integrator knows their stuff beyond the latest buzzwords; 3) se- lect products that can be integrated with your existing systems and controls, and that have a roadmap that provides some measure of future proofing; and 4) select a vendor or service provider you’re com- fortable with and that you can build a so- lution with together.


SM: How has the role of security guards changed over the past few years with relation to how Bell car


?


SM: Do you have a specific strategy when it comes to implementing ac


cess control? AC: I was fascinated to recently learn that the mechanical push-button lock in use throughout the world today was originally developed for Bell in the 1960s. At that time our security manager was wrestling with the issue of managing keys. Today,


ries out its security mandate? AC: The need for security guards has de- creased somewhat over the years, [par- ticularly] as technology solutions have made the need for labour force redun- dant. There will always be that human el- ement of security that cannot be easily replaced with technology, but our main change in carrying out our security man- date is the planning stage, where we en- sure the labour force is able to focus on the areas where they bring the best


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28