Andy Schofield, Chief Technology Officer at Reliance High-Tech, has recently taken on the role of Chair for the British Security Industry Association’s (BSIA) Special Interest Group (SIG) on AI and Biometrics. The BSIA, a leading trade association in the UK for the professional security industry, supports excellence within the sector and runs various SIGs to address specific industry challenges.
Established in 2020, the AI and Biometrics SIG aims to foster customer confidence in the secure, ethical, and effective use of AI and biometric technologies within the security sector. The group’s mission is to enhance the protection of people, property, and locations through the development of best-practice guidelines and standards that encourage the responsible adoption of these technologies.
The SIG’s initiatives include creating government-recognised recommendations on facial recognition technology, which have been instrumental in shaping the British Standard code of practice for ethical use of facial recognition technology, published as BS 9347: 2024.
The group comprises members from both security and technology sectors, encouraging participation from all BSIA members, including manufacturers, integrators, and installers. This collaborative framework enables productive exchanges and knowledge-sharing between the group and key stakeholders, including academia and government. By fostering these connections, the group seeks to align industry practices with both technological advancements and regulatory developments.
The group covers a broad range of topics in its meetings. In his first meeting as Chair on October 2nd, Schofield led discussions on AI standardisation, the implementation of the AI Act, and a review of the BSIA’s legal and ethical guidelines on facial recognition technology.
Schofield brings over 30 years of experience in the security industry. Since 2014, he has been a member of the senior management team at Reliance High-Tech, a prominent independent security technology integrator in the UK, where he has was involved in developing AI solutions that set the company apart from its competitors.
Commenting on his appointment, Andy Schofield said: “I am honoured to accept the appointment as Chair of the BSIA’s Special Interest Group on AI and Biometrics. This group is pivotal in shaping the future of the security industry, as AI and biometrics hold immense potential for advancing security solutions. I aim to encourage thoughtful debate, driving innovation while ensuring the highest ethical standards are met. By working together, we can ensure the UK leads the way in developing cutting-edge, responsible technologies that set a global standard for security.”
Added Reliance High-Tech’s chief executive officer, Ali Enser: “I congratulate Andy on his new appointment. His credentials are second to none and reflect the focus that Reliance High-Tech has placed on leveraging AI to provide value beyond security alone. I have absolute confidence that, under his stewardship, the AI and Biometrics group will take significant steps that will help shape the future of the industry.”