Page 5 - the SyI Quarterly V3 digital (1)

ensured that I gained a great sense of accomplishment and pride from being admitted. I am sure that other new registrants would
say the same, and want to strongly recommend the effort and experience to others. At the other end of the spectrum of new
services, our informal Friday SyI Morning Features have brought people together over lighter themes such as book reviews, thanks
to Rick and volunteers from among our membership. For both of these recurring events, the number of spaces is limited in order
to ensure that all participants get the chance to contribute, so early booking is recommended. More informal still, our Member
Engagement Director John Sephton FSyI is running popular online discussions on LinkedIn every Sunday, so watch out for his
#SundayDebate if you have not already participated.

We have also been delighted to promote via our weekly eNews other online events that might interest our members, and supply
guest panellists to partners’ events, with Rick and some of our directors contributing to a number of other webinar series’ including
Professor Martin Gill’s popular OSPAs Thought Leadership Seminars, hosted by Perpetuity Research and the organisers of sector
awards the OSPAs and the TECAs. The innovation across the security profession has been remarkable and provided numerous
opportunities for professionals to expand their horizons and develop their learning amid the lockdown constraints. Other
successful webinar series include those offered by CSARN, Resilience First, the SASIG (Security Awareness Special Interest Group),
ASIS and the Royal United Services Institute.

As for most organisations, the lockdown has required us to change the way the Institute runs day-to-day, and some of the
adaptations are transforming the way we do business. The Institute was already employing remote working strategies with
increasing effectiveness, with the HQ team using videoconferencing software to facilitate more home working and enable our
Membership Registrar Paula to join meetings from her south-west location; and directors and members using the facility for many
of the meetings of the senior leadership team, board sub-committees, the Validation Board and our Special Interest Groups. Since
the lockdown, the Institute has given all directors access to MS Teams, and the first online board meeting proved so effective that
this approach will continue to be used for at least some of our meetings, saving time and reducing travelling expenses.

Having begun this column with a thank you to our HQ team, I want to end with a thank you to all those in the security sector
continuing to go the extra mile to support the rest of us through these challenging times. Security professionals frequently provide
the rock on which others rely, often at significant personal risk. The recently published data by the Office for National Statistics
indicating that one of the highest occupational death rates from COVID-19 has been among front line security officers is deeply
concerning and requires thorough investigation, raising numerous questions requiring answers in order to inform government
policy and guidance, employer practices, and individuals to help them keep themselves safe. There is considerable variation in
exposure to disease by job category, age and ethnicity, and we must be grateful to those who put themselves in harm’s way to
protect others, and assist in the efforts to minimise the risk to them. The Security Institute contributed to the lobbying interventions
that saw security officers recognised as key workers during the lockdown, and will continue to use its position to help make sense
of challenges that affect our people, and engage with government where necessary in order to represent the sector, share
knowledge and offer support. We are very pleased to promote the City Security Council’s #WeHaveYourBack campaign recognising
the vital role that security professionals play in protecting the nation, and the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals charity
the Security Benevolent Fund, which assists security professionals in times of great hardship with welfare support (See Peter
French’s MBE FSyI Article p.54 -55).

Warm wishes to you and your families, and stay safe and well in these exceptional times.

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