Most organisations agree that security is needed in the workplace to prevent and respond to crime, but what, if any, are the wider benefits, to other corporate departments like HR, Sales and Marketing, Finance, Legal, Procurement and Operations? Does good security help organisations to care for staff and increase their productivity? Does it give a competitive edge? Does it help make a profit? Perpetuity Research are conducting a survey as part of the Security Research Initiative to understand how security does and could be helping other areas of the business. If you are a security profession...

Crime soared in the retail sector by 18% over the past twelve months according to the latest BRC Crime Survey released yesterday. Shoplifting, cyber-crime and fraud is now at its highest level since the current recording system began in 2004. Is the rise as a result of a lack of investment in security or are the criminals just getting smarter? Infologue.com believes the answer is probably a mixture of both, writes Infologue.com publisher, Bobby Logue. “Organised crime is identified as a growing problem which is confirmed by our own experience with retail security. Gangs are targetin...

The Security Institute is delighted to announce that it helped raise £28,795.79 for its Chairman's Charity PTSD Resolution in 2014. It raised £14,177.53 at various Security Institute events during 2014. In addition to this amount, The Security Institute also jointly raised £14,618.26 at the inaugural Joint Security Associations Annual Fundraising Event which took place on 30th September 2014. Every year the Security Institute Chairman chooses a charity partner to work with throughout the year. PTSD Resolution is a charity that offers a unique service counselling to the UK Armed Forces, ...

Peter Webster, chief executive of Corps Security, a regular Infologue.com blogger, looks at a new form of threat to the UK. He writes: "The brutal terrorist attack in Paris highlights once again that the threat from terrorism remains both real, and deadly. "It is important to note that the attack in Paris on the offices of the satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, was both specific in nature and intent, as well as being extremely well planned. Those who have viewed the horrific images and video clips of the attack would have been struck by the professionalism of the attackers, and their hand...

UPDATE: Due to two large aquisitions made by Kingdom Security, The Infologue.com Top 30 table has been amended to reflect the new position of Kingdom from the 14th position to 9th position as of the 13/02/2015. Infologue.com believes that in 2014 the regulated security sector has remained static in terms of turnover at £3.2 billion for the past year. Due to the popularity of the Infologue.com Top 30 companies list as well as numerous requests we have decided to increase the Infologue.com Top 30. The annual turnover of the new Infologue.com Top 30 is estimated at £2,953,000,000 represen...

Infologue.com has once again increased the size of the Infologue.com table of security companies by turnover for 2014 from 25 to 30 companies. Once again margin or the lack thereof, was the feature of commercial activity in the security services sector during 2014. There appears to be no cohesive approach as how to face this challenge. The simple panacea is to blame the procurement departments for the ills of the security services sector. Last week Infologue.com argued that this is the result of procurement led organizations squeezing margin from suppliers are in danger of placing their own...

Infologue.com believes that in 2014 the regulated security sector has remained static in terms of turnover at £3.2 billion for the past year. Due to the popularity of the Infologue.com Top 30 companies list as well as numerous requests we have decided to increase the Infologue.com Top 30. The annual turnover of the new Infologue.com Top 30 is estimated at £2,953,000,000 representing 92.42% of the annual turnover of the regulated security sector The “Top 5” G4S, Securitas, Mitie TSM, VSG and OCS share approximately 55.9% of the regulated security market between themselves which ...

The ever decreasing margins in the security services sector is a challenge being faced by most European countries. This trend which effectively is racing downhill has a detrimental effect on the fabric of the security industry throughout Europe. Paradoxically, it is procurement led organisations, squeezing margin from suppliers are in danger of putting their organisations at risk. In the UK, the telling statistic is that approximately 60% of licence holders in the regulated security industry do not renew their licences, writes Infologue.com publisher, Bobby Logue. As a result, Europe’s s...

SSAIB, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary as the UK and Ireland’s leading fire, security and telecare certification body, has appointed its new Chief Executive. Alex Carmichael will be taking over from Geoff Tate, who announced earlier this year that he will be stepping down as CEO after 16 years in the role. Alex Carmichael is joining SSAIB from his current post as Director of Technical Services and Exports at security industry trade body the BSIA, where he is responsible for coordinating all technical and quality matters. Alex’s existing duties on various UK and European commit...

The Security Industry Authority is holding a consultation to gauge the views of stakeholders on its draft Business Plan for 2015/16 and Corporate Plan for 2015/18. The consultation sets out the SIA’s high-level draft plans, and it describes the SIA’s proposed mission, vision and strategic goals. At the SIA Stakeholder Conference in October, SIA Chair, Elizabeth France, set out the progress that the SIA had made in working closely with stakeholders to develop proposals for a new regulatory regime focused on businesses. Mrs France emphasised that the SIA is ready to take forward mandator...