AUCSO annual conference to spark discussion on security in education

March 24, 2014

Set to take place from 8 to 10 April at the University of Roehampton, this year’s Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO) annual conference is set to prove its standing as the top event for security professionals working in the education sector.

Over the years, AUCSO has established itself as the leading association for security professionals working in universities, colleges and institutions of higher and further education in the UK and Europe.

The conference has seen interest from exhibitors increase for the 2014 event, and there is a variety of industry leaders set to speak during the three-day conference. Bernadette Duncan MBE, Chief Operating Officer AUCSO, is looking forward to the conference, which ties in with the association’s 30^th anniversary.

She said, “Over the last 30 years AUCSO has grown exponentially, and we now have more members than we ever imagined possible. Our members are mostly from all over the UK and Ireland, but we even have some in Europe, Canada and Singapore who find our services of great use when approaching the security of their institutions. The annual conference, held at a different university each year, provides the ideal platform for our members to network and exhibitors to showcase their security solutions. However, the event is not limited to members – anyone with an interest in security for education facilities is welcome to attend.”

The packed programme covers topics that are highly relevant to the security and education sectors, and high profile speakers will be sure to generate ongoing discussion on these themes. Some highlights from the programme include:

AUCSO annual general meeting (AGM) – for AUCSO members only
The impact of technology on security services – Glen Farrant, CEO, Critical Arc
CCTV and information security: Data protection considerations – Ian Inman, Senior Policy Officer, Information Commissioner’s Office
Lessons learned from the Aurora shootings – Doug Abraham, Chief of Police, University of Colorado, Denver
Access control with Santander cards – Michael Farrar, Institute of Education
Managing travel risks for staff and students – Guy Small and Lee Kibble, The Anvil Group
Student occupations and disorder: A legal review – Stuart Wortley, Partner, Pinsent Masons

AUCSO Chair Roger Morgan and C.O.O. Bernadette Duncan

One of the main highlights on the programme has to be the gala dinner. This year’s dinner is more than a great networking opportunity, it is a celebration of the 30^th anniversary of AUCSO. The event will be held at The Royal Hospital Chelsea, with transport provided from the University of Roehampton, and looks to be an elegant affair. AUCSO will also hold an awards ceremony as part of the evening’s festivities, presenting awards for Security Officer of the Year, Security Team of the Year, and Security Initiative of the Year.

Liberty Services is one of the main sponsors of AUCSO’s conference and Mike Simpson, Director of Liberty Services, is one of the many regular attendees at the conference. Speaking about the ongoing success of the yearly event he said, “The AUCSO conference always guarantees a well organised, professionally run exhibition in which Liberty are both pleased to take part and also sponsor. The conference and exhibition have grown and evolved over the years and each year differs from the last. This year we look forward to Roehampton University’s own unique presentation together with meeting colleagues and clients – both old and new.”

Thinking Space Systems will also be exhibiting at the AUCSO event this year. For Regional Sales Representative Neil Walker, this will be his 10^th conference. He said, “I always look forward to the AUCSO conferences. Not only has Thinking Space won new business as a result of attending the show, it is an event where I look forward to catching up with familiar faces, networking with fellow exhibitors, as well as meeting new faces”.

AUCSO have gone all out for this anniversary edition of the conference – it’s definitely not an event to be missed.

Registration for the event is now open here, so don’t miss the chance to attend and join the conversation on the key subjects affecting security within education.