Page 9 - the SyI Quarterly 13 - (V4)

Know your Institute
Know your Institute

The Security Institute Annual David specialises in personnel and protective security after serving

within law enforcement for almost 40 years and previously being a
Conference: Protecting our Future CTSA (Counter Terrorism Security Advisor) supervisor. Most recently,
he served as a Security Expert to the Manchester Arena Inquiry.
David’s presentation explored the threat from which insider activity
20th October 2022 can compromise all aspects of an organisation’s security. This issue is
especially relevant with the current threats from hostile state actors and
espionage activity, and David discussed with attendees how this must
On the 20th October 2022, the Security Institute met once again for the Annual Conference, held at Aviva, be addressed. David was then joined on stage by panellists Andrew
London.
Donaldson CSyP FSyI, Frank Cannon CSyP FSyI, Dr Richard B CSyP
FSyI, Sarah Austerberry CSyP FSyI, where they took live questions from
This year the theme was ‘Protecting our Future’, where we were joined by industry experts in various areas
of Protective Security. The day started with arrival refreshments and networking in the foyer, where we Audience attendees via the new Security Institute event app.
were also joined by a fresh, new networking set up by our event sponsors and exhibitors - Assa Abloy, After breaking for lunch, we welcomed Independent Security Consultant
Dallmeier, Veracity, International Security Expo, Tracktik and PerpetuityARC Training. All sponsors this year Mike Croll MSyI to present on his topic ‘The All-Seeing Eye’. Mike
were supplied with a professional, ready-made exhibition stand as part of their sponsorship packages. has held some of the most senior appointments in international
Attendees were then welcomed into the 300-seat Auditorium with a curved screen which currently holds
the title of the ‘largest LED screen in Europe’. Once seated, guests were welcomed with an opening address security management including Head of Overseas Security at the
from Institute Chair Peter Lavery FSyI, Institute President Baroness Ruth Henig of Lancaster CBE DL CSyI FCO, Head of Security for EU Delegations worldwide, Director of UN
Security Operations and Facebook’s Head of Security for EMEA. His
and our conference Compere for the day, Alex Townsend-Drake, Head of Programme, Counter Terrorism entertaining presentation “The All-Seeing Eye” captured the audience
Preparedness Network. in a theatrical and humorous nature to raise questions such as “who
Part 1 of the conference kicked off with Miriam Stone who is
Head of Operations at ASM Global (AO Arena, Manchester), is watching us” and “what is happening with my data?” and dived into
a thought-provoking exhibition about surveillance, including crime
who gave a presentation titled “Lessons Learnt and Their Real- prevention through environmental design (CPTED), the evolution of
life Impact on Event Practice”. Miriam has worked in the events CCTV, dataveillance, and the new realm of physiological surveillance,
industry all her life, she has been an Events Manager since considering how new technology is shaping the business of security.
1997 and at the AO Arena since 2006.
Panellists Bruce Braes CSyP FSyI, Juliet McKane and Manas Chalwa
joined Mike on the stage to conclude the presentation with Q&A from
Having worked on events as diverse as the Urban Farm Show audience participants.
to World Championship Boxing, her hands-on experience
of events, event management and crowd behaviour is vast. The final part of the day saw us joined by two speakers, Andrew
Miriam was the Duty Manager on the night of the terrorist
attack at Manchester Arena in 2017. Donaldson CSyP FSyI, Head of Security at Real Estate Management
(UK) who presented on the topic of ‘The Heads of the Hydra: Al
Qaeda’s Evolution, the Development of the Terrorist Threat, and of
Miriam shared her heartfelt, human and touching story of her our Protection’. This session considered how Al Qaeda’s evolution
experience of Duty Managing during the major incident that contributed to the development of terrorism, and focused on their
unfolded on 22nd May 2017 and the control room actions
on the night. Miriam discussed in more detail how her own growth to the emergence of Daesh, and their influence on other
terrorist ideologies. It also considered how our protection has changed
personal lessons learned have influenced and have been used to mitigate the threats, focusing on establishing a resilient future.
to mentor new Events Managers in the organisation, and that Andrew was joined on stage by both Carl Dakin CSyP FSyI and Steven
those experiences become part of the collective conscience McGrath MSyI who discussed further, answering audience questions.
and that the lessons must be retained and not lost in the
varied responsibilities and workings of the Event Management We were finally united by our last speaker of the day, Charlie Curry
MSyI: Head of Security & Investigations, Home Office, who hosted a
team. Miriam was joined on stage following her presentation thought-provoking talk titled ‘Public & Private Collaboration’ which
by panellists Gary Simpson MSyI & Simon Rogers MSyI and explored the common themes that both public and private sector face.
facilitated by Institute Director Carl Dakin CSyP FSyI.
It considered where collaboration might help and where it might hinder.
Finally, Charlie invited discussion from audience participants and also a
Following morning refreshments and further networking, Alex panellist session to discuss what our current mechanisms for talking to
Townsend-Drake welcomed attendees back to be joined on each other are, and what more we might want to do.
stage by our second speaker of the day, Dr David BaMaung
CSyP FSyI Director of Able Security Consultants, who delivered We want to thank all attendees for joining us at this years conference,
his presentation titled ‘From the Inside Out - Understanding
the Insider Threat’. extending our thanks to our speakers and sponsors on the day.

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