Major business and corporate security leaders from across the Capital attended a Winter Security Seminar hosted by the award-winning, national security company The Shield Group. The event, which highlighted key issues in the security industry, took place at the historic grounds of The Guildhall London on Wednesday, 27 November, 2013.
Chaired by The Shield Group’s Commercial Director Stephen Hollings, guests joined The Shield Group’s team of experts for an afternoon of dynamic think-tank seminars on three prominent themes in the business security sector.
Keynote speeches were delivered by industry thought-leaders from the public and private sectors, demonstrating authority and ownership of their selected topics.
- Christian Gladwell, CEO of Human Digital, topic of discussion, Understanding Cyber Security, discussed the growing threat of cyber security in a world increasingly reliant on the internet. According to the UK Government, the internet-related market in the UK is now estimated to be worth £82 billion a year. British businesses earn £1 in every £5 from the internet. However, research shows this worryingly coincides with a sharp rise in cyber-crime. One study by the Ponemon Institute last August showed that 83 per cent of multinational companies believe they have been the target of a cyber-attack over the past 12 months. Additionally, a survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers earlier this year revealed that 92 per cent of firms have experienced a malicious security breach at some time.
- Ian Mansfield, City of London Police – Counter Terrorism Security Advisor, shared details of the police’s Project Griffin – Going Forward. Project Griffin, which was formally introduced in London in April 2004, was set up to strengthen the partnership between City of London Police and those responsible for security within the City’s business community. Its remit was to advise and familiarise managers, security officers and employees of large public and private sector organisations on security, counter-terrorism and crime prevention issues. The Shield Group’s Chief Executive Mr John Roddy is part of Project Griffin’s committee. This revolutionary initiative aims to coordinate the resources of the police, emergency services, local authorities and the private sector security industry. The principal aims for the program are to:
- Raise awareness of current terrorist and crime issues on a local, national and global level
- Share and gather intelligence and information
- Build and maintain effective working relationships
- Seeking solutions to defeat terrorism and crime
- Maintaining trust and confidence in the police and other authorities
- Empowering people to report suspicious activity and behaviour
- Dan Mailly, Managing Director – Global Support Services (UK) Ltd, spoke about the wide range of benefits from The Use of Dogs to Reduce Risk in a Corporate Environment. Guard dogs are an increasingly popular and effective solution to guarding premises and property as it is a very high deterrent to would-be offenders.
Following the event, Stephen Hollings commented: “The Shield Group Winter Security Seminar was yet another excellent opportunity to highlight the major security issues facing the UK and the world today and ahead. We are leading the market as a specialist Total Security Solutions provider. Our business is not burdened by the confusion of Facilities Management and brings a real focus to protecting, people, property, assets and brands.”