F
irstly, I’d like to highlight all those who attended and contributed to our remarkable annual conference, ‘The Changing Face of Security’, on 16 October at the impressive Royal Society of Medicine, London.
This year’s event was one of our most successful yet, drawing over 250 attendees, and it was refreshing to witness such dynamic engagement across the programme.
2025 is set to be a special year for a number of reasons. Not only is it The Security Institute’s 25th anniversary year, but it is also one which is set to see the culmination of our efforts as an organisation over the past 12 months – 12 months which have seen significant change in the Institute and 12 months I couldn’t be more proud of as its Chief Executive Officer.
Digital transformation: preparing for the future
One of our major initiatives this past year has been the complete overhaul of our website and CRM, designed to improve the digital experience for all our Members. The project is now in its final stages, and by the time you read this article, will be published.
Strategic plan: defining our future
Our future direction has been outlined in our newly developed Strategic Plan. This plan captures our vision, mission, and core values, focusing on three essential pillars: Membership, Professionalisation, and Influence. These pillars are central to our mission of driving professionalism and influence within the security sector, and they will guide our activities and priorities as we move forward.
Streamlining and strengthening Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
A major part of our strategic vision is the evolution of our Special Interest Groups (SIGs). As part of our Membership and SIG Review, we have reduced the number of SIGs from seventeen to eight, allowing us to concentrate our resources on the areas that matter most and maximise the impact of each group.
Security Institute CEO: Reflections on Progress and Exciting Developments for 2025 The streamlined SIGs are:
Upcoming events: what we have in store
• Counter Terrorism SIG (CTSIG) • Protective Security SIG (PROSSIG) • Insider Risk SIG (IRSIG)
• Front Line Operatives SIG (FLOSIG) • Security Education, Academia, Training & Standards SIG (SEATSSIG) • Cyber SIG (CYSIG)
• AI & New and Emerging Technologies SIG (AI NESTSIG)
• Intelligence Community SIG (ICOSIG)
Protective Security Apprenticeship (Level 4): shaping the future workforce
Another exciting initiative on the horizon is the launch of our Protective Security Apprenticeship (PSA) at Level 4, which will be available to both government and industry. This programme, created by a dedicated trailblazer group, will offer training across various security disciplines – cyber, personal, physical, and technical – providing new pathways into the security sector. The public consultation for this apprenticeship began on 15 October, and we welcome all feedback as we fine-tune the programme ahead of its launch next spring/summer.
Baroness Ruth Henig Scholarship: Supporting emerging talent
This past summer, we launched the Baroness Ruth Henig Scholarship, a bursary programme designed to support aspiring security professionals as they pursue training and development. This first round of applications was met with tremendous enthusiasm, and we awarded over ten scholarships. By supporting these talented individuals, we’re once again investing in the future of security by helping the next generation develop the tools and skills that best serve.
© CITY SECURITY MAGAZINE – WINTER 2024
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Next year we have a range of events planned, each aiming to foster collaboration, celebrate achievement, and advance our collective knowledge.
Of particular note is the Celebrating Women in Security Conference on Wednesday, 5 March 2025, which coincides with International Women’s Day. This event will spotlight the vital contributions of women in our industry, featuring an inspiring line-up of speakers and activities.
Our Security Education & Learning Summit takes place in May, our Young People’s Skill Building in June, our AGM in July, our Annual Conference in October and a special 25th Anniversary Gala to close off the year. Exciting stuff, and we have many more smaller, regional events as well as a whole host of educational webinars to pack out our calendar.
Final thoughts
As we prepare for 2025, I want to express my gratitude to each Member, speaker, SIG participant, partner and our Head Office team. Together, we are making strides towards a professional, resilient, and inclusive security industry. I look forward to the year ahead and to building on the foundation we’ve laid together.
Professor Simon Hepburn MA MCMI FRSA Chief Executive Officer The Security Institute
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