Making sense of security

Perimeter security remains a vital part of protecting Government buildings from intruders, terrorists and vandals. Enforcing physical security is paramount to preventing unauthorised access, damage to the building or its contents.

Wider integrated security systems are beginning to include access gates and fences to create a fully integrated system.

Any experiences of where security systems have failed or a process has been inefficient should be shared throughout the security community to ensure these incidents are learned from.

Tried and tested methods
Educating the broader security management community by way of such shared experience is an effective way of implementing tried and tested methods. IFSEC International, one of the world’s largest dedicated security events, brings together the entire security buying chain under one roof at the Birmingham NEC in May.

Attracting more than 650 leading solution providers, from 100 countries, IFSEC is the biggest marketplace of its kind. Providing visitors with the opportunity to source, compare and test the latest products, while finding out how these can work best across a business.

Demonstrating its commitment to the industry by providing insight into the future of security with keynote sessions from leading voices, IFSEC will also be celebrating its 40th birthday. Covering every area of security and fire, there will be a host of suppliers, education, advice and experts to suit your needs.

Taking place on the 14th May, a session entitled 40 Years of IFSEC International: ‘Looking Back, Looking Forward’ will feature some of the security, fire and business professionals listed in the IFSEC International Top 40 Influencers ‘league table’ on IFSECGlobal.com to offer their perspectives on the security, fire and IT sectors.

They’ll be reviewing key points from the past and looking ahead to the next decade, in turn focusing on likely trends in those markets based around economic predictions and their own instincts.   

The IFSEC show areas include; CCTV & Video Surveillance, Counter Terror, Access Control and Biometrics, Intelligent Buildings, Integrated Security, IP and Networks, Lone Worker and Physical Security.

Supporting the theme of protecting sites from intruders, a dedicated area has been set up to showcase the full spectrum of products for the alarm industry. There will be the opportunity to source a complete product range covering alarm systems, detectors, keypads and control panels to protect site perimeters from outside threats.

As perimeter control moves beyond staffing access gates, the physical and electronic solutions are coming together. RISCO Group will be discussing the latest innovations in both these areas during the seminar Perimeter Protection and Intrusion Detection: physical and electronic security in harmony.

Protecting Utilities
Water infrastructure projects present a complex mix of location, functions and security substructures. Such challenges are quite often encountered in the utilities sector and, in almost all cases, they require stakeholders to work closely in reaching solutions which deliver function and value for money. Overcoming difficult site locations and conditions will require strong user/integrator and manufacturer relationships and close teamwork. The presentation entitled Protecting the Utilities: Water Security Case Study - Integrated Alarms, CCTV, Access Control and Command & Control Software will review these issues and examine how obstacles were overcome to reach set objectives on a specific project.

A year of change
2012 was a year full of change, movement and numerous new entrants into the physical security market. From the London Olympics and regional activities such as presidential debates and celebratory events through to major natural disasters and security breaches at corporate, Government and airport locations, the physical security industry has had to re‑evaluate and alter its approach to first response and the management of unanticipated crises. Yet, at the same time, organisations across the globe are being forced to do more with less, with budget always being one of the critical issues that they face. Enlightened organisations and agencies are leveraging Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) software to prepare for and react to specific challenges and events. As a result, a handful of trends have arisen that will move to the forefront as being critical to PSIM’s evolution and ongoing growth in 2013 and beyond. A seminar session entitled PSIM: key trends driving development will explore this.

IFSEC Academy
The IFSEC Academy provides access to seven free education theatres allowing attendees to engage in the biggest issues in security from the industry leading lights. With the chance to gain CPE or CPD points towards professional development, IFSEC International helps to enhance knowledge and solutions around business needs. Keynote speakers will enhance this through the Centre Stage and Security Management education theatres, where solutions and systems integration will create opportunities for interoperability and information sharing.

Providing a deeper look into perimeter security, Dave Bentley, general manager (Security), Gallagher will lead the seminar ‘Perimeter Protection and Intrusion Detection: physical and electronic security in harmony’. In this session, Dave will give an examination of the marriage between physical and electronic solutions for perimeter protection and the latest thinking in both areas.

New features
New for 2013: Intelligent Buildings
Helping to identify the fire, security, IT, data and building management needs of your business, the Intelligent Buildings area will help visitors to discover solutions and innovations to integrate these sectors. Peers and industry experts will be on hand to share best practices and innovation, as well as, providing support around how to implement effective holistic solutions for business.

Brand new for 2013, IFSEC Speed Networking provides the perfect solution to networking in a busy environment, allowing installers to make the most of their time away from projects, by gaining new business. This presents security managers, heads of security, building managers and project managers with the opportunity to get great advice about the best and most cost effective products to make their business secure.

An IFSEC International provides badge holders access to FIREX International 
(www.firex.co.uk), the Facilities Show 
(www.facilitiesshow.com) and Safety & Health Expo (www.safety-health-expo.co.uk).

Further information
For further information on IFSEC International, Protection & Management Week, or to register for the 2013 event and its co-located shows, visit www.ifsec.co.uk