whilst not increasing fear, which could, inadvertently, help terrorists. Either extreme can ‘do the terrorists’ job for them’.


Nearly 10 years on from the 7/7 attacks in London, all who are concerned with protecting the public from further acts of terrorism need to remain focused on the task. Sharing knowledge, experience and good practice through training, exercising and working together is key to keeping one step ahead of a potential attack.


Iain Livingstone Deputy Chief Constable Police Scotland


I hear it said, many times, that the biggest barrier to improving protective security is the challenging financial


climate that we all have to operate within. There is no denying this is an issue, but it also presents an opportunity to focus on arguably the single biggest threat to our collective security - COMPLACENCY.


Effective security is about understanding the basic premise that security is first and foremost everybody’s responsibility. In this respect a fundamental part of developing and maintaining a good security culture is understanding that security procedures need not be seen as a set of rules imposed upon us but rather as standards intended to keep us safe in today’s threat environment.


Standards that should be incorporated within your site security plan include guidance on bomb threat management, search and evacuation procedures; how to stay safe in the event of a weapons attack; access control procedures; mail handling procedures; and the importance of how and when to report suspicious activity.


This type of security planning is something we can and should all be doing. It makes good business sense and is relevant to all types of criminality. The best bit - it won’t cost you a penny.


Police Scotland is here to support you and further advice around security planning is available from our Counter Terrorism Security Advisors.


Ron Dobson, CBE QFSM Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRN(E)) Lead Chief Fire Officers Association


On the 29th August the


Home Secretary, Theresa May, announced the National threat level had increased to Severe. The increase in the threat level was related to developments in Syria and Iraq where terrorist groups are planning attacks against the West.


© CI TY S ECURI TY MAGAZ INE – WINT ER 2015


Global acts of terror serve on a daily basis as a constant reminder that the threat to the UK from terrorism remains both real and serious. But even if the likelihood of being directly targeted is small, organisations should still do all they can to prepare.


Organisations should consider how they would respond to security threats, not only in an operational context, but also in a protective context.


No single response can provide protection against every type of event. However, a well thought out and regularly reviewed security plan, which is proportionate to the risks faced by an organisation, can help to protect against what could, potentially, result in very significant consequences.


Delivering an effective security strategy requires the commitment of all staff to adopt a security culture. Staff right across an organisation should be fully engaged and understand the part they play.


Given the current threat environment, implementing an effective strategy is more important now than ever before, but it doesn’t need to be complicated!


In an age of competing priorities the sharing of information and best practice in a security context is essential.


Emma Shaw, MBA Chairman Security Institute


These are dynamic and rapidly changing times for Security and the professionals that work


within the sector and 2015 will be challenging.


In the fifteen years since the Security Institute was founded the world, from a risk perspective, has become an increasingly complex place. In terms of national and regional security, it seems clear that there is little possibility of a conventional threat in Europe as was the case under the old cold war alignment.


In the main, the current threats to national and individual security arise from socio- economic imbalances in many developing countries. These lead to two main outcomes: firstly, increasing levels of migration and, secondly, the spread of radical ideologies, which in some instances permit groups of extremists to spread terrorism on a global scale. This in turn has led to an increasing national interdependence in the field of security. The diversity of risk and threat is now enormous, the development of the global village effectively means that global threats are now local threats.


These threats are not merely physical: due to the increasing impact of globalisation and the


www. c i t y s e cur i t yma ga z ine . com


accelerated evolution of accessible information technologies, both individuals and states are increasingly subject to the so-called cyber threat and to the threat presented by disruptive technologies.


In response to these challenges and developments, the Security Institute has launched its manifesto for professional security. Our vision is that the sector as a whole should become recognised, respected and professional. Our manifesto is a call for closer co-operation and collaboration between the professional bodies, the forums and networks within the security sector.


Michael Stack CEO ASIS International


With the many threats confronting security professionals worldwide it is essential to have effective


risk assessment policies and procedures to undertake a balanced prioritisation of those risks based on the exposure of a given enterprise, in a given environment, in order to undertake an appropriate level of investment in resources to mitigate the prioritised risk(s). These approaches are well documented in the security industry body of knowledge and supported by universally accepted standards of practice.


The understanding and acknowledgement of executive enterprise management (the C–Suite level), that investments need to be undertaken in risk mitigation before an incident takes place, and that a proactive versus reactive management policy is essential. Frequently security practice is predicated upon senior enterprise executives reacting to an incident as opposed to the aforementioned risk assessment procedures that allow the enterprise to get into the forefront of an effective risk mitigation strategy. It becomes ever more essential that security professionals have the ability to professionally communicate with the top levels of the enterprise in language that they understand and respect. Investment in the present to avoid future threats exposed through effective up-to-date assessment policies, and procedures.


Security is a collaborative effort, requiring that all elements of a given enterprise, not merely the security professionals, participate in identifying current and future risk potential. All plans for risk mitigation should involve other disciplines impacted by risks that are identified in documenting and testing policies and procedures surrounding effective risk management. Security management is a business discipline and requires the recognition and participation of all enterprise elements in order to be effective in the


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