future of security


the We asked security experts, “What’s next?”


Darren Carter CPP MSyI F.ISRM Vice Chair & Board Director ASIS UK


The need to be united


What seems almost certain is that we will enter the year ahead with at least as much, if not greater, focus on the world around us. Global events will continue to shape our understanding of risk, influence our perception of threat, and drive the evolution of our response – a continuous cycle of adaptation designed to protect people, assets, and information from harm.


There is, however, much reason for optimism, particularly here in the UK. The formation of the S12 Group marks a defining moment, arguably the most significant opportunity our industry has ever had to establish direct communication lines into the heart of government. This achievement, steered with dedication by Paul Evans (Carlisle Support Services) and Garry Culloden (Mitie), and now supported by an elected team, promises to be a game changer in shaping the future of our profession.


Among the many challenges we face, none looms larger than cyber risk. A major cyber incident remains one of the most disruptive and potentially catastrophic events a business can endure, and at the centre of these events are people: our colleagues, suppliers, and trusted partners. Ironically, those we rely upon to safeguard our organisations can, through malice or simple human error, also become the source of our greatest vulnerabilities.


Technology continues to advance at pace, with cyber defences evolving around the


clock, yet education and awareness among people often lag behind. The most severe recent incidents driven by phishing, social engineering, and credential compromise underscore this imbalance. It is vital, therefore, that we recognise the need for sustained investment in our people as much as in our technology.


Never has there been a more pressing time for our industry to draw upon each other’s strengths, knowledge, expertise, and goodwill, and yes, there is a great deal of goodwill among us! At ASIS UK Chapter, we remain acutely aware of the value of partnership and the importance of every collaborative interaction.


My recent attendance at the ASIS International GSX conference in New Orleans was a powerful reminder of that. The gathering of around 15,000 security professionals from 95 countries reflected the scale and shared purpose of our mission. To see representatives from more than 2,000 organisations all united by one ambition to protect people was both humbling and energising.


instance, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the possibility of its expansion into neighbouring NATO countries continue to stretch the UK’s defence posture.


This could have far-reaching


consequences, including increased threats to undersea cables and energy supplies, ultimately affecting our nation’s ability to maintain effective lines of communication, especially during major national crises. The failure of basic communications infrastructure places every business, regardless of size, at risk, and


consequently traditional sabotage remains a threat.


Single-issue activist and protest groups


In addition, both private and government organisations are facing a growing number of incidents involving single-issue activist and protest groups. Increasingly, environmental protest groups are joining forces with political extremists to form alliances, creating teams of activists who aim to inflict substantial physical damage on targeted sites.


Their objective is often to force organisations to cease operations or relocate abroad, placing further pressure on businesses to devote more resources towards intelligence-led security strategies and policies. Simply investing in ‘target hardening’ is insufficient. It is equally important to understand the nature and sources of threats, as well as the motivations behind them.


Mike Bluestone, MA CSyP FSyI Executive Director at Corps Consult


Future threats and advances The use of proxies


A particular concern is the use of proxies, including criminal groups, by hostile state actors seeking to undermine critical UK infrastructure and economic stability. For


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Certain organisations, due to the nature of their activities or sectors, face elevated levels of risk, and consequently a defence contractor, for example, is not a prerequisite for becoming a target, and in fact any organisation can be at risk, irrespective of the nature of its day-to-day business activities.


For example, the ownership of the business and/or its location and trading partners also inform the risks and threats


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