Security Focus on a


Officer Georgia Copeland Duty Security Manager


Q What skills do you believe are


important for the security role?


A: Training, application, wanting to do well and seeing security as a career. At times you need to be thick-skinned, confident, diplomatic, situationally aware, and professionally assertive when required.


Q What has been the highlight of your security career?


A: The recognition of my manager and company in being nominated in the OSPA Female Officer of the Year category, where I was a finalist earlier this year, and recently receiving a Security Officer of Distinction Award at the ACS Pacesetters awards.


Q What advice would you give to


someone wanting to get into security?


met Georgia at Outernet, with its stunning, immersive screen displays. This amazing venue, next to Tottenham Court Road station, is one of London’s most visited attractions with an annual 75m footfall – it also doubles a as state-of-the-art live music venue, gaming and film space, along with offices, residences and a hotel part of the complex.


I


QHow did you get into security? A: After university, I joined a security company to get my SIA badge and worked on a self-employed basis with a variety of security providers. This included working in teams looking after foreign diplomats, royals and various high net-worth individuals. I joined FRG in my current position as duty security manager in 2024.


Q What does your job entail and what is the best thing about it?


A: My main focus each day is ensuring that the team are up to speed with any special requirements for the day and ensuring the venue staff, the public and our team are safe in such a public space.


Each day is different: dealing with homeless people, advising the public on safety, like protecting phones and bags, while watching the screens and at events.


The best thing about my role is being public facing, interacting with our visitors, helping people and working with a tight team who support each other.


A: Look at the various areas of security and gain a wider range of experience, which could be leisure, retail, hospitality, corporate. As well as being more rounded from a skills and experience perspective, you will have a better idea of the environment you would like to work in and develop your career.


Q How would you like to progress in your role?


A: Progress to a senior operation manager’s role having responsibility for a site in its entirety and being able to share my experience and knowledge in other ways within the business.


Testimonials


"Georgia is a true frontline leader resilient in the face of challenges, professional in every interaction, and unwaveringly dedicated to keeping people safe. She leads by example, earning the respect of her team and stakeholders alike through her calm presence, quick thinking, and commitment to excellence.” Barry Dawson, First Response Group


“Georgia exemplifies the dedication and professionalism that define the very best in front line security. Her commitment to keeping people safe, combined with her calm manner and sharp decision-making under pressure, sets her apart. As a finalist in the OSPAs, her recognition is well- earned and reflects the respect she commands from both colleagues and clients.” George Anastasi, First Response Group.


After meeting Georgia, I can absolutely concur with the sentiments of her references above. Thank you for your time, Georgia.


Graham Bassett Editorial team 25 © CITY SECURITY MAGAZINE – SUMMER 2025 www.citysecuritymagazine.com L


et’s start at the beginning of my involvement with computing: at school, I was a member of both the maths and chess clubs - the ideal person to be bullied, but for the fact I had a lot of cousins.


Being part of the maths club meant that when we got the first computers in school, I was one of those to start using them. They were the Acorn BBC computers that went along with the BBC series, The Computer Programme and Making the most of the Micro.


Fast forward a few years and after a short stint in the Royal Air Force, I ended up working for Acorn Computers in Cambridge. I got my first internet email address in 1986, so will celebrate using the internet for 40 years next year. Even back then hacking was a thing and I found the concept fascinating. This predated the first Computer Misuse Act of 1990. Not saying I was naughty before then…. I also achieved Bachelor of Computer Science in 1992.


From there I went to an internet service provider, where I started working with firewalls and other aspects of computer security. I installed the first official firewall in GCHQ in 1991. Having realised my potential, I became an independent consultant and soon realised I needed professional qualifications to support my career. During the process of attaining them, I worked for the European Space Agency in Italy and Germany, then General Motors in Belgium.


I got CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) in 2003 when I


Chartered Focus on a


Security Professional Andy Smith


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