Page 10 - the SyI Quarterly 14 Booklet Format

Know your Institute
Know your Institute
The Institute is also home to an array of key Special
Interest Groups across a breadth of subjects. These
groups are predominantly run and organised by
members and bring so much to our profession and
are recognised for doing so; this also includes the big
spot light on NextGen and the youth aspect, because
we need to demonstrate that security is so much more
than just a Hi-Viz jacket. (Check them out at https://
security-institute.org/sigs/).
What else can we do?
This may be hard to believe, but I can actually
remember security being a night watchman sitting
around his (yes no hers’ in those days) brazier fire,
with the alarm being “Oi You” shouted at you! Did I
consider future developments when being chased
back over the fence, no! Yet the sector has certainly
evolved and I have witnessed many changes including
diversity, training, and career progression being more
visible which creates more professional opportunities.
To this end, we need to define what the profession
encompasses, and how we can encourage our
uniformed colleagues to understand what they can do
to successfully transition into the security profession as
a career choice.
In some cases roles may be similar to their current or previous position, for example; Close Protection,
Counter Terrorism or on the frontline dealing with incidents and emergencies, but this is where we need to
go off piste away from the more well-known roles to understand the skills and knowledge required for the
wider security industry. At this point we need to identify how we can harness the skills of other professions -
architects; engineers; designers; computer experts; managers and strategists to assist in the transition into
one of the plethora of opportunities available in the world of security – try it yourself, continue off piste with
your own ideas as there are many more.
Now add the word ‘security’ in front - security architect; security engineer, a security strategists or those
using a technical bit of kit to consider working with Artificial Intelligence - something you may already be
familiar with and using in the day job. According to good old Wikipedia Artificial Intelligence (AI) is about—
perceiving, synthesizing, and inferring information—demonstrated by machines, as opposed to a human.
It successfully combines computer science and data bases, and can be used for speech recognition,
computer vision, translation between (natural) languages, as well as other mappings of inputs.
And while I am no techie, I do recognise opportunities are twofold. Firstly, the person seeking employment
who may not have considered security as an employment opportunity post service (I bet many have not)
and secondly, those offering employment. If you are a developer; manufacturer of AI or come to that,
biometrics, or any of the other tools we have in our toolkit these days. Have you ever considered that there
is already a wealth of ‘experts’ who are about to leave the armed services, who are disciplined, loyal but
above all else, extremely competent?
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Let me move over to our brilliant colleagues in the various police forces; in England and Wales we have 43,
plus Transport Police, Civil Nuclear police, and the Ministry of Defence Police but The Institutes wider reach
means any officer in any police force can be part of our community*. Like our service personnel, the breadth
of skills and knowledge this profession brings to the sector is phenomenal. This can be demonstrated by a
police constable who qualified to become a Chartered Security Professional and join the Register of Chartered
Security Professions, because among other things, he had been seconded to a government group that had
been established, and was able to demonstrate just how much strategic thinking he had brought to the table, a
skill the security profession so needs; individuals who can think outside of the box at a strategic level.
Of course, a percentage of police officers will transition into a familiar role, and if only I had a £ for every serving
or ex police officer I have met who is a Close Protection specialist. Undoubtedly, there is a lot of call for this
skill set whilst in uniform, but much less once the uniform is left behind. However, one element this role does
highlight specifically well is Risk. Even the glamourisation of the role in the 1992 film ‘The Bodyguard’ bought to
the forefront to remind us, is that Close Protection is based around risk; risk of harassment, harm, or attack.
Ref: At this point I will ask you to consider RISK; and think outside of the box and to consider where else that
understanding and skill can be used.
For example, every company will be mindful of the risk to their organisation. They personally may not need any
close protection, but what they do need is to mitigate their organisational risk. Therefore, if you own one of the
many companies that specialise in Risk Management, (perhaps not just physical security), where do you get your
best players from? Do you recognise the wealth of talent amongst our service personnel, many of whom have
or are very soon due to transition from a uniform service role, who are competent in managing risk and have
the ability to bring that skill, knowledge, and behaviour to the workplace.
TRANSITIONING THE GAP SUPPORT - I AM SAVING THE BEST BIT TO LAST!
In June this year The Security Institute is proud to be organising a Careers Fair for Veterans and Serving
Personnel. There will be an array of employers, information on education and the opportunity to chat about
personal and professional development to assist with progression and transition.
Therefore, can I ask of you please to consider the following -
‘If you are in uniform and soon to transition or you know of anyone in that position; if you have already
transitioned but perhaps seeking better opportunities; or you are an employer looking for top quality
individuals, please spread the word and come along’.
SAVE THE DATE:
CAREERS FAIR - Thursday 8th June Victory Services Club, 63-79 Seymour Street, London, W2 2HF
Attendees can attend free of charge, accrue CPD points but registration is essential. Booking details will be
anounced in the very near future - so keep your eyes peeled!
Furthermore, if you are an employer interested in recruiting personnel from the uniformed services or able to
provide a small sponsorship donation, please contact:
Anjee Lawson via email [email protected]
Thank you for supporting our wonderful, uniformed colleagues – please spread the word – and make this an
event that makes a difference in the ‘transition from the day the uniform comes off’.
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