Bob Forsyth, the Managing Director of MITIE Total Security Management (TSM) introduces his second video blog on Infologue.com (his nineteenth feature overall) in which he discusses the progression and evolution of control rooms. "Traditionally, control rooms were built into the fabric of the building, so as a building ages, so does the facility. On-site control rooms can be limiting as it is difficult to keep up with the speed of technology development in terms of software and hardware. Upgrading can involve significant CAPEX investment which in current times can be difficult to get sign o...

G4S Events, the UK's leading event security company, announced yesterday (9th May) it has been selected to support the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) at the G8 Summit being held at Lough Erne in Northern Ireland. During the Summit in June, G4S will have 450 experienced employees delivering a range of specialised security solutions, including stewarding, monitoring of site perimeters and securing access to venues. G4S has successfully protected a number of international summits and events on behalf of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office over the years, including the 2005 G8 Su...

Securitas Security Services (UK) Ltd recently announced they have been awarded the contract to be the sole provider of security solutions to Marks & Spencer across their UK and Ireland stores. The contract with Marks & Spencer will see Securitas take on security services in regions that were previously provided by MITIE Facilities Management, and will involve supplying over 700 specialised retail security officers every day. The contract also includes the provision of mobile CCTV vehicles, which operate nationwide and deliver a Remote Video Surveillance (RVS) capability, which Mark...

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Baroness Ruth Henig as the Association’s special advisor on regulatory change. Working alongside the BSIA’s leadership, the former SIA Chairman will support the Association’s active public affairs programme to represent the interests of the BSIA and its members in Parliament, and also at industry events including IFSEC and the BSIA’s Annual Luncheon. Reinforcing the importance of primary legislation to support the Government’s proposals for a new ‘lighter touch’ regulatory regime – ...

The Security Industry Authority is calling for Approved Contractors, security suppliers and security buyers to participate in the 2013 Approved Contractor Scheme review. This review is about how the voluntary ACS should develop alongside the new regulatory regime that has been proposed. Full details of SIA proposals can be viewed here: www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/Pages/future-factsheet.aspx The review survey questionnaires can be found at: • ACS suppliers: www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/pages/survey-acs.aspx • Security suppliers: www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/pages/survey-suppliers.aspx �...

The Home Office is seeking to appoint a Non-Executive Board Member to the SIA's Board with private security industry experience. The person will contribute to the overall strategic direction and corporate oversight of the organisation. Along with other Board members he or she will ensure that through appropriate governance the Executive Team is held to account for discharging its duties effectively and to the highest possible standards. Candidates must have a successful track record of achievement in a Board level role within a major organisation; a good and recent understanding and k...

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has welcomed the Home Office’s appointment of Stephen Phipson as the new Director of Security Industry Engagement in its Office for Security and Counter Terrorism. This announcement comes as a result of last year’s publication of a white paper relating to defence and security, entitled 'New Security Through Technology', which recommended the creation of a ‘Senior Responsible Owner’ post to coordinate the interaction between Government and the UK’s private security industry. James Kelly, Chief Executive of the BSIA – the trade...

The Security Institute, the UK’s largest membership body for security professionals, has announced that Emma Shaw is its new chairman. Working alongside her fellow directors, she will take the organisation to the next stage of its development by ensuring that it continues to meet the needs of its growing membership. Shaw is the founder and managing director of Esoteric, a well established electronic sweeping, counter espionage and intelligence gathering company based in the UK. An MBA graduate and a Chartered Security Professional (CSyP), her early career was spent with the Royal Militar...

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has published a revised edition of its CCTV users’ logbook, to reflect recent developments relating to industry standards and governance. Aimed at end-users of CCTV surveillance systems, the logbook has been updated to reflect current industry practice and the content of both European and International CCTV standards. This edition of the logbook also sees the introduction of carbon copy inserts for commissioning and hand-over of a CCTV system, which will be of great benefit to installers of the system, saving them the effort of having to prod...

Police launched a new national co-ordination centre today which can mobilise police officers and staff in times of need. It will deliver a co-ordinated and professional response to major events, civil emergencies and crises. The National Police Coordination Centre (NPoCC) builds on the successful coordination of national policing resources for London’s Olympic and Paralympic Games last year. It will undertake several functions, including the ability to mobilise specialist resources to a wide range of threats in times of need. It will replace the current Police National Informati...