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On the 23rd October 2019, the Security Institute held our Annual Conference: ‘People-Centred Security’ at the Royal
College of Physicians in London. The conference was opened by the Institute’s Chief Executive, Rick Mounfield CSyP
The Annual Conference
FSyI, Rick’s introduction was followed by delegates being given a warm welcome by the Chairman of the Security
Institute, Professor Alison Wakefield PhD CSyP FSyI, who highlighted that although technological advancements are a
key feature of the contemporary security landscape, it is people that lie at its heart. Whether victims, perpetrators or
practitioners.

Following Alison’s address, the Conference Chair, Professor Phil Wood PhD CSyP FSyI introduced Part One – People
and Security Culture, and the first from a list of many premier speakers that would keep the audience both educated
and entertained throughout the day. Dr Paul Martin CBE, provided an insight into his recently published book,
The Rules of Security – Staying Safe in a Risky World. Continuing the theme of security culture, Sarah Au from the
CPNI highlighted the particular nebulous nature of both this and personnel security. Sarah argued that in order
to delve into the security culture that exists within a corporation, it needs to be viewed in the wider context of the
organisational culture.

The morning’s talks continued with Professor Caroline L. Davey and Andrew Wootton from ProtectED, who took to
the floor, introducing the ‘Technology Spiral’, focusing on only technological security fixes results in performance
shortfalls. A speaker from NaCTSO followed this presentation, informing the audience of the ‘changing face’ of the
Protect and Prepare strands of CONTEST, the UK’s government strategy for countering terrorism. The final session
of the morning – Next Generation in Security, was introduced by a Director of the Security Institute, Paul Barnard
CSyP MSyI, and Kathryn Eastwood from the EY Foundation, an independent charity supporting young people in
developing skills for the workplace. Kathryn developed the theme of inspiring young people by discussing how her
organisation, the EY Foundation does this. Using two different programmes, Smart Futures and Our Future, the
Foundation supports disadvantaged young people by facilitating work placements with partner organisations.

The afternoon sessions commenced with a presentation by Ian Todd, Chief Executive of the Security Industry
Authority (SIA). Ian sees improving standards and continuous professional education/development as key
requirements for frontline security operatives. Dr Victor Olisa, a retired senior police officer with 35 years’, Lisa Reilly
from the European Interagency Security Forum (EISF) and Nick Mayhew and Roseanna Farish from Alembic Strategy
followed on from Ian Todd’s opening with insightful and enlightening topics for debate. Professor Martin Gill
concluded the individual speaker appearances with his presentation – Advanced Technologies and Humans. Martin
cited the latest report from the Security
Research Initiative (SRI), discussing how
although security technologies are often
presented as an unqualified good rather
than a risk, it is human intervention and
fear of apprehension that offenders fear
most.

After a guest panel made up of some
of the presenters, Conference Chair,
Professor Phil Wood PhD CSyP FSyI,
provided a seamless summary of the
day’s agenda. Reminding us of the
conference theme and highlighting the
key messages of each speaker Phil’s
final comments urged delegates to ‘think
differently’, not least in attracting a
more diverse, younger workforce to the
profession.

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