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IFPO Column: The Fear of Safety

Yolanda Hamblen of IFPO describes how the fear of safety could be holding us back, especially in the context of an unbalanced socio-political landscape. How should security professionals react? We all want a safer world. However, we can’t help but wonder if we just need to work on our perception of fear. Are we safer now than we’ve ever been or are we less safe than we’ve ever been or are we just feeling less safe than we’ve ever been. The answer is nuanced: in many ways, we are safer, yet our perception of safety is increasingly distorted, largely due to media, technology, and shifting societal standards. How does this affect our approach to our roles in the security industry. Is Fear of Safety Holding Us Back? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to step outside for a walk at 3 a.m. in your neighborhood? For many, the thought is quickly overshadowed by a sense of unease, even fear. We’re conditioned to ask ourselves: Is it safe? Yet, the reality might be more nuanced. In many ways, we are actually safer today than we’ve been led to believe. But in a culture where safety is increasingly emphasised, the idea of walking alone in the dark—especially during the “witching hour”—feels almost radical. There’s a social judgment factor here, too. If you did go for that late-night stroll, would others see you as reckless, naïve or even deserving of negative consequences? We’ve come to associate certain choices with unnecessary risk, even if the reality of danger doesn’t fully support it. Despite having lower crime rates in many areas, higher safety standards, and increased awareness, there is still a pervasive sense of fear that can make us overly cautious, and I demonstrate here why this is justified. So, who’s behind this culture of caution? Are we being manipulated in our professions? Is our perception of security being distorted too? Who is responsible? It might be those who emphasise threats, sensationalise crime, and constantly urge us to take precautions. While vigilance is important, it’s also worth asking whether we’ve been taught to be more fearful than necessary. The truth is, in most communities, late-night dangers may be more imagined than real. Is the security industry the same? How Safe Do We Really Feel? It’s been an emotional week in the U.S., and it’s no exaggeration to say that November 6th felt like a hangover for half the country. Emotions ran high on social media, especially LinkedIn, as the post-election wave rippled across workplaces, influencing both professional discourse and personal reflections. This election wasn’t just political—it sparked a deeper discussion about safety, security, and the values that underpin them. For many, the election results ignited a profound sense of vulnerability. Beyond policy and party lines, people expressed concerns for both their own safety and the collective well-being of their communities. The disbelief and shock that followed were often tinged with personal anguish. The fact that the President-elect, Donald Trump, carries a criminal record with convictions that include rape, has raised significant questions about societal values, the direction of leadership, and what that means for public trust and security. The reactions have been mixed. Some found empowerment in the outcome, but for many others, the results have brought about a new sense of unease. As citizens, it’s natural to ask what this shift in leadership might mean for our personal and national security. For now, we’re left to navigate a landscape where concerns about safety—personal, communal, and global—are heightened, making us reflect on the larger implications of these results. Security and the Weight of Words Recently, a photo appeared in my LinkedIn feed the morning after the Trump victory of a man at what seemed to be a university protest, holding a bold red poster with the words, “WOMEN ARE PROPERTY.” The sight immediately triggered a cascade of responses, from fear to anger, rebellion, and resignation, across the comment thread. The man’s body camera was a reminder for me not of how seriously he takes his convictions but of the potential negative way he could use responses to his protest from women. But what about the impact on the rest of us? It is felt that the election results made men like that man feel comfortable enough to attend his university and represent views like that. That’s worrying. Other posters had messaging about how women’s bodies belong to men. This doesn’t make anyone feel safer. As security professionals, we deal with biases and perceptions every day, working to understand and mitigate the risks they pose. But when confronted with messages as openly antagonistic as this, one has to ask: How do you engage in meaningful debate with individuals who hold these beliefs? Can minds be changed when messages are so pointedly offensive? This image and the beliefs it represents, present more than a social challenge; they influence how we assess risk, manage biases, and understand the minds that shape our work environments. As we face encounters that reinforce harmful biases, we must continually examine and counteract the ways these messages affect us. Professionalism demands that we stay vigilant about the filters and assumptions we carry into every security decision. But incidents like this serve as stark reminders of why a commitment to objectivity, empathy, and resilience remains critical in confronting the influences that shape our world. Security professionals on the front line along with the police have to put their own beliefs to the side when they are on the job. I remember this Police recruitment commercial prior to my joining in 2002, it featured Lennox Lewis he said: “The first rule of boxing is controlled it’s not about losing it with someone it’s about keeping your composure it takes a lot of willpower and strength within yourself to really stop yourself from doing what you’re capable of doing but if I was called out to a home where seems a man was using his fist on a woman, beating her up over some domestic row you see

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Bringing Together Global Leaders For A Safer, Smarter Future

Informa PLC, the world’s largest exhibition organiser, have announced that the co-located exhibitions; Facilities Show, FIREX, IFSEC and Safety & Health Expo will now become part of newly launched Anticipate London, taking place from the 2nd to the 4th December 2024 at ExCeL London. Anticipate London emerged as a result of insightful conversations with members of a future-focused advisory board which includes leaders in security, safety, FM and property from both FTSE 250 organisations and the wider public sector These professionals find themselves navigating a common landscape of challenges and opportunities such as tech innovation and digitalisation, emerging societal and global risks, climate change and government legislation. Through these discussions, it became evident that to better address these macro-level issues, a new forum was needed to bring leaders of property & people together and showcase solutions that create a safer, smarter future for all. Chris Edwards, Group Director of Anticipate London commented, “Anticipate will become the full stop to everyone’s year, looking back at 12 months of changes in safety, security and property and discussing what that means for the coming year. Our new exhibition for 2024 embraces a fundamental shift in the markets we serve, where many historically defined job roles and responsibilities have become blurred. Global events such as COVID-19, as well as changes in work patterns and climate change have catapulted people and property leaders to the forefront of business strategy. Exhibitors and long-running event partners of the legacy four events should be reassured that our technical seminars will still exist as they always have, and will continue to attract their core audiences, but Anticipate London will cater for the future-facing professional interested in the bigger picture too.” While Anticipate London is based in the UK’s capital, one of Europe’s leading Smart Cities and a metropolis with a clear strategy for improving its green credentials; both the audience and the topics covered will have an international focus, with global themes represented. On the launch of the new brand, Alex Robertson, Head of Marketing for Anticipate London commented that, “extensive research and consultation with industry experts went into the ideation and implementation of the new brand. ‘Anticipate’ is a word that resonates strongly with professionals responsible for protecting employees – an organisation’s most valuable resource. It speaks to the need for being aware of risk and emerging threats, while also being indicative of being future-facing and anticipating the latest in technology, standards and government legislation.” Anticipate London will take place on the 2nd to the 4th December 2024 at the ExCeL in London and for the first time will coincide with the Security and Fire Excellence Awards, hosted at Grosvenor House, Park Lane in London on the 2nd December 2024. Read more exclusives and news in our latest issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Security Buyer @SecurityBuyer @Secbuyer Media Contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitybuyer.com

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Halo scores hat-trick for football club security

UK News Desk / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

Halo Solutions – crowd safety and security operations platform – has scored a hat-trick after Premier League club Nottingham Forest FC, Championship club Birmingham City FC and Chelsea FC became the latest football clubs to integrate its award-winning incident and task management software, Halo (v5). Chelsea FC will use Halo (v5) for the 24/7 security contract at Stamford Bridge as well as Chelsea’s Cobham Training Ground. The clubs will use Halo’s cutting-edge safety and security technology to: Help protect and keep fans safe managing all incidents observed at matches or day-to-day on their premises. Create & monitor digitised security, match day safety and pre-match checks. Enhance and bolster existing robust crowd safety and security measures. Streamline all reporting procedures, including reporting codes available to the public, volunteers & wider club staff to report suspicious activity, anti-social behaviour or safety incidents. Build clear and complete debriefs on every match day or month of operations for presentation at Safety Advisory Group (SAGs). The ground-breaking operations software is already being used 24/7-365 right across the English Football Leagues by clubs such as Watford FC, West Bromwich Albion and Mansfield Town FC, as well as clubs in the MLS (Major League Soccer, USA) and in security operations at stadia and venues across the UK. Halo has quickly established itself as one of the leading crowd safety and security technology companies in the world, with the Halo incident and task management system handling over 2,500 events 88,000 incidents and 550,000 tasks for some of the world’s biggest venue and event operations last year. OCS Group Senior Security Manager (Chelsea Football Club), Bakary Bah, said: “We’ve seen fantastic results implementing the Halo System into match-day and everyday security operations across Stamford Bridge and Cobham Training Ground. Halo’s user-friendly appearance and flexible ability to ensure all our safety & security management is streamlined into one place was a huge reason for us choosing Halo over other platforms. We run our site security program to the highest possible standard, and the reporting capabilities of Halo help us to manage and audit all incidents, tasks, patrols and activities continuously all within one, easy-to-use platform.” Halo was founded by Lloyd Major, a former national counterterrorism police officer, crowd safety and event security adviser with 20 years of policing experience, including police training and public order command at major sporting events. During this time, Lloyd became the first operational police planner in the UK to obtain a Master’s degree in Emergency Planning and Management and developed a totally new process for threat assessment at public events, which became national policing policy. Lloyd also worked around England in Operational Planning Units, including sitting on Safety Advisory Groups (SAGs) for specialist planning advice for thousands of major sporting and entertainment events, major tournaments, protests and operations. This extensive knowledge and experience was then channelled into creating the Halo System to address key challenges in crowd safety, incident management and security for venues, stadiums and arenas – so they can get the right information to the right people at the right time, easily. Commenting on the announcement, Halo CEO and Founder Lloyd Major said: “We are delighted to have added Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Birmingham City to the growing list of football clubs that use Halo’s technology to provide safety and security to everyone across their sites. Clubs are expected to provide the very best crowd safety and security initiatives within their operations for fan safety. We are proud to support even more clubs on that mission, bringing digital simplicity to both matchday and everyday use with our platform. It is reassuring to see such a proactive and robust approach to safety and security from these clubs in the running of their stadia, the safety of their visitors and event experiences.” The Halo (v5)software system was designed with public safety and security at its core to assist with rapid decision-making, with the ability to integrate all streams of information and intelligence into one place to enable faster responses – to ultimately protect the public and save lives. The Halo System acts as a central command-and-control function that operates from a standard laptop, tablet or smart phone, and brings together more than 10 different systems into one, with over 75 client-led features. Halo integrates monitoring and recording of multiple feeds of information across a venue, from security, CCTV and live drone feeds to health and safety, cleaning, medical, public reports, ticket scanning and staff accreditation – and next year will include crowd management, crowd density, flow, sentiment, mood and capacity. It means that when an incident occurs, all the actions, updates and decisions taken by staff are recorded in one location for more effective decision-making, transparency and debriefing capability with a clear and complete audit trail. It also provides an invaluable reporting mechanism on crowd safety, health and safety and general incident logging across all custom types faced by a venue. This allows operations directors, event managers and venue owners to customise the system to their needs and get the most meaningful information to positively impact on public safety. Critically, in the event of a major incident it can also provide vital evidential data to support the decisions taken by the organisation. Halo Solutions has played a hugely important role in protecting people and keeping them safe at some of the biggest events on the planet, with major events around the world, including the coronation of King Charles III, the Eurovision song contest, FIFA World Cup fan zones in Qatar, the Miami F1 Grand Prix, Silverstone’s British Grand Prix and Moto GP – to mention just a handful. It has also protected fans at some of the UK’s biggest entertainment events, from Notting Hill Carnival and Glastonbury to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II and coronation of HM King Charles III. The crowd and event safety platform has also been deployed at the NEC in Birmingham, ExCeL London, Motorpoint Arena Nottingham and ACC Liverpool to keep millions of visitors safe each year. The Halo (v5) crowd safety platform has also played a major

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Demand for temporary CCTV towers rises

UK News Desk / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

Demand for temporary CCTV towers rises after surge in professional gangs targeting construction sites, says Kingdom Systems. Drastically worsening thefts from professional gangs on UK construction sites has garnered national outrage and prompted many firms across the country to install temporary CCTV towers to deter ‘stealing to order’, say Kingdom Systems. The company, who protect hundreds of construction sites from theft each year, warn about the rise of ‘stealing to order’- where criminals are given a list of sought-after machinery and equipment to then steal and sell on. Temporary CCTV towers can massively help to prevent ‘stealing to order’ crimes and protect businesses that are at risk of losing £800 million every year, according to insurer Allianz Cornhill. Businesses are also desperately waiting for the Government to address this surge, says Kingdom Systems. Last year, the Government brought in the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act to counteract the problem in the agricultural sector, but it fails to address the issue suffered by construction sites nationwide. And with research by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) revealing that a staggering 92% of construction workers are affected by theft, with 21% saying they suffer from it every single week, it’s an epidemic that largely lies in the hands of individual project managers to prevent until wider governmental changes are made. Often, tradespeople and construction workers have no choice but to leave expensive equipment and machinery onsite overnight, making construction sites a goldmine for thieves looking for opportunity. “The serious risk of theft is a concern for all construction site managers and staff, especially when demand for stolen equipment is so high and the costs of replacing them remain equally astronomical. But installing permanent CCTV towers is expensive, time-consuming, and unlikely to be the best option for temporary construction sites,” says Paul Worsley, Director of Service from Kingdom Systems. “Installing temporary CCTV can be an efficient way to enhance security, deter criminals and safely document any breaches or suspicious activity.” CCTV footage from temporary CCTV towers can provide valuable evidence in the event of a theft, speeding up the time it takes to catch the perpetrators. With 34% of tradespeople saying that the thefts have impacted their mental health, temporary CCTV provides that much needed peace of mind for the sector. “For everyone involved in a project, a theft of a considerable amount of equipment or machinery can cause a lot of stress and worry. The idea that professional gangs rather than opportunists are targeting sites without proper security means they need to have a more strategic and effective approach to deterring criminals, beyond just the usual lock and key,” says Paul Worsley. Read more exclusives and news in our latest issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Security Buyer @SecurityBuyer @Secbuyer Media Contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitybuyer.com

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Road safety is a national priority

News Desk / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

Everybody who gets into a car, whether driver or passenger, is at risk of death. It’s just a fact. Road accidents are part of the system of modern life, as people commute from one destination to another. Every year, road traffic accidents claim the lives of around 1.3 million individuals around the world. Moreover, between 20 to 50 million people suffer from non-fatal injuries due to such accidents, and many of them end up with disabilities as a result of their injuries. This is according to the World Health Organization. The impact is far beyond stoppage of traffic, the immediate need for emergency services and police intervention to redirect vehicles. Huge economic loss Road traffic accidents lead to significant economic losses for individuals, their families, and nations. These losses are due to the expenses incurred during treatment and the loss of productivity for the individuals killed or disabled by the accidents. Family members also need to take time off from work or school to take care of the injured, which leads to further loss of productivity. Road traffic crashes cost most countries approximately 3% of their gross domestic product. This is according to a Road Traffic Injuries report in 2022 compiled by The World Health Organization. Traffic accidents are a major public health concern worldwide. The National Library of Medicine in the United States, reports that fatal accidents claim about 3,700 lives every day, half of which are cyclists, motorcyclists, or pedestrians. Many contributing factors While many assume that alcohol and speed and especially the deadly combination of these factors are the major contributors to road accidents, there are many other influences. Several factors contribute to traffic accidents, including poor road conditions, reckless driving, fatigue, sleep disorders, driving under the influence, illness, using mobile phones, eating/drinking while driving, not paying attention after a crash, and the inability of other drivers to react quickly to the situation. In South Africa, road crash fatalities, as well as road fatalities including pedestrians, saw an increase between 2019 and 2021, according to the latest statistics available from The Road Traffic Management Corporation. Last year, 12,545 people died on our roads. That was 25.8% more than 2020 and 0.3% more than 2019, the smaller increase most likely due to Covid. Pedestrian fatalities on South African roads remain alarmingly high, accounting for 40% of all road users. Of these fatalities, male pedestrians make up 75%. Children between the ages of 0 to 4 account for 17% of the total deaths, while the 25 to 35 age group accounts for 38%. Unsurprisingly, 60% of road fatalities occur over weekends – specifically from Friday to Sunday. South Africa faces several key challenges that are difficult to overcome. Among these are the proliferation of informal settlements alongside major freeways, inadequate town planning that fails to prioritise non-motorised transport, and a lack of action towards promoting safer vehicles in the country. Safety comes first We must prioritise road safety, making our roads safer for all users from pedestrians, bicycles, motorbikes and small cars to taxi buses, municipal buses, trucks and other larger vehicles. Road traffic injuries and subsequent fatalities can be prevented. It will take strong government initiatives working with the private sector to address road safety in a holistic manner. This will necessitate involvement from multiple sectors such as transport, police, health, education, to reach the hearts and minds of all road users. Some suggestions include safer infrastructure that will incorporate road safety features into land-use and transport planning, improving the safety features of vehicles; better after-care for accident victims, stricter laws and effective application of them, prioritising risk management and raising public awareness. At Unitrans, safety is very close to our hearts, and we pride ourselves on recognised achievements in this space over the past months. Unitrans is also a member of Road Safety Partnership South Africa (RSP SA), a registered Section 21 company (NPC) that was established in 2007. The function of RSP SA is to broker partnerships between government, business and civil society to reduce death and injury on the roads in South Africa. RSP SA is part of the international road safety organisation called Global Road Safety Partnership that is based in Geneva, Switzerland, a non-profit organisation formed in 1999 in response to global recognition of road crash deaths and injuries as a human-made crisis. Unitrans’ commitment to safety and excellence has earned the company the prestigious Rio Tinto Safety Award for Best Global Contract Partner, as well as two awards at the 2023 annual MasterDrive Fleet Safety Awards, taking a win for the Best Employer and Best Company categories for Medium Commercial Vehicles. In addition, five employees from the Unitrans people transport division made it to the final round of the Hollard Highway Heroes competition for their important role in transporting commuters, promoting driving excellence and in doing so creating safer roads. Gabotlamang Jarius Gabonewe, a 36-year-old Mega Bus driver was the winner in the category of Overall Bus Driver. Another very proud moment for the company was Cynthia Thala’s historic milestone. The dedicated bulk vehicle operator in our fuel transportation division became the first woman to secure the coveted title of the 2023 #ThankYouTrucker competition. These accolades underscore our unwavering dedication to safety, adherence to policies and procedures, and innovative approach to enhancing driver safety and performance. Unitrans remains focused on fostering a culture of safe driving practices and on-road experiences. We believe in the well-being of our drivers to ensure the success of our operations. At Unitrans, safety and innovation are at the core of everything we do. These awards are a testament to our team’s safety track record, hard work and dedication and our commitment to providing the best possible service to our clients. Read more exclusives and news in our latest issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Security Buyer @SecurityBuyer @Secbuyer Media Contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitybuyer.com

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Amthal hires 6 new staff

News Desk / Ghyslaine Cordrey

Fire safety and security specialist, Amthal is continuing on its ambitious growth plan to service more advanced commercial customers, with six dedicated appointments already in 2023, set across the business. The new appointments include Amy Bradbury who has joined the commercial team, together with Donna Henderson who has been welcomed as a key account coordinator in the MSR team. Amthal has also appointed three new MSR Engineers since the start of the year. Continuing its rolling recruitment programme, Amthal is looking to grow its team further with the appointment of a new Business Development Manager, Supply Chain Team Member and a Key Account coordinator to meet increasing customer demand, alongside a number of Engineer roles in commissioning, maintenance and installation. Commenting on the team’s aspirational growth plans, Jamie Allam, CEO Amthal said: “There is a positive outlook for the physical security technology and fire safety industries as we move into 2023, especially with new legislation coming through. To ensure we can continue to maximise the opportunities and remain proactive with our customers, together with the senior management team we have continued to steer the company on an ambitious growth plan. “This is both through acquisition following our success with IPL, and organic growth to further expand our geographical expansion along with adding to our existing services within the fire and security sectors. To maintain our mission, vision and values and continue to customer excellence, we are delighted to welcome Amy, Donna and our new Engineers so early in the year. We are also conscious not to be complacent and present further exciting career opportunities via both technical and managerial pathways.” Amthal is also committed to its apprenticeship programme to develop the workforce and bring forward the next generation of talent in security and fire safety. Jamie adds: “We operate in a dynamic industry and there are plenty of opportunities for a fulfilling and rewarding career. Amthal has always been a big supporter of apprentices and we continue to develop a range of training strategies and job-specific courses across the business. “We ensure apprentices have the opportunity to work with our senior team in a structured career progression path and form an essential part of our product and service development. We have employed, retained and promoted the majority of our apprentices, with some even forming part of our management structure, making a significant influence on our future business growth.” To read other news stories and exclusives, see our latest issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Security Buyer @SecurityBuyer @Secbuyer Media Contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitybuyer.com

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Acronis Cyber Foundation celebrates five years

UK News Desk / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

Acronis is proud to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Acronis Cyber Foundation Programme, a set of philanthropic initiatives designed to engage with partners on community development projects and provide volunteering opportunities to team members around the world. Marking five years of monumental success and continuous growth in improving education accessibility, the Programme’s key focus is aimed at making education readily available to all and has evolved to include humanitarian disaster relief efforts and environmental projects. Founded in 2018, the Programme has been strongly dedicated to education by funding school construction and bringing IT skills training to communities around the globe. The Acronis Cyber Foundation Programme, with collaboration from partners, has built 18 schools in 22 different countries with five additional schools in construction progress. This initiative has benefited over 5,500 students who now have access to quality education. To further support education, 12 schools have been equipped with computer classrooms to provide students with access to technology and the chance to benefit from learning in a digital environment. In addition to building schools, the Programme has engaged in educational projects with over 14,000 people taking part in Acronis IT Skills Training programs and has brought humanitarian aid to over 5,000 individuals in underserved communities. The Programme also directly affects the volunteers involved, providing rare exposure to distant parts of the world and the unique experiences each culture offers with 92% of Acronis Cyber Foundation Programme volunteers continuing their humanitarian efforts on a yearly basis. “I am proud of what we achieved through the Acronis Cyber Foundation Programme,” said Patrick Pulvermueller, CEO, Acronis. “The Schools Initiative and IT Skills Training programme provided much-needed support to those in need, opening a world of new educational and career opportunities. The success of the Acronis Cyber Foundation could not have been reached without the help of our partners. I’d like to thank them for their ongoing support and I have no doubt that our joint efforts will help contribute to a more positive and prosperous future.” Education has a solid and positive impact on people’s lives, paving the way for future careers in technology, a flourishing global industry. The Acronis Cyber Foundation’s IT training programme in Singapore helped over 120 students complete certification training and gain valuable skills to secure employment, in partnership with Yellow Ribbon Fund. The Programme recorded that over 70% of IT Skills Training graduates received employment within just one month following course completion. The IT Skills for migrants in Switzerland programme, in partnership with Integres, an organisation aimed at integrating immigrants into Switzerland, helped the migrant population of Schaffhausen refine and gain critical career skills, helping over 70 students in the span of three years. “The Acronis Cyber Foundation represents the same values that encouraged me to build the school in a village in the Dominican Republic,” said Sebastian Noelting, Managing Director at RNT Rausch. “We are convinced that problems such as poverty and hunger can only be solved sustainably through education. That is why education must be available to everyone all over the world. I’m glad that we have been able to partner with Acronis and are now working together towards this goal.” The success of the Acronis Cyber Foundation has been achieved thanks to the help of Acronis’ service provider partners, including GoDaddy, CloudFest, RNT Rausch, Zebra Systems, Climb Channel Solutions, BusyMouse, Ubistor, and many more. The Acronis Cyber Foundation Programme’s official charity partner, Groundbreaker, ensures compliance and handles all construction aspects in the implementation process for school building projects. “Acronis has been an important partner for us since the beginning and we are grateful for their commitment to providing access to quality education worldwide,” said Leoni Rossberg, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Groundbreaker. “They show how relevant and impactful corporate responsibility is and we hope they can encourage even more companies in the tech sector to do the same.” The Acronis Cyber Foundation Programme is focused on partnering with other organisations to make a difference together. Acronis invites all businesses, large or small, to engage in joint projects. For partners wanting to develop their own community development plans, the Programme can help in supporting other initiatives as well. To read more news and exclusive features see our latest issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Security Buyer UK @SecurityBuyerUK @SecbuyerUK Media Contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitybuyer.com

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Amthal fires up new year growth plans with six new appointments

UK News Desk / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

Fire safety and security specialist, Amthal is continuing on its ambitious growth plan to service more advanced commercial customers, with six dedicated appointments already in 2023, set across the business. The new appointments include Amy Bradbury who has joined the commercial team, together with Donna Henderson who has been welcomed as a key account coordinator in the MSR team. Amthal has also appointed three new MSR Engineers since the start of the year. Continuing its rolling recruitment programme, Amthal is looking to grow its team further with the appointment of a new Business Development Manager, Supply Chain Team Member and a Key Account Coordinator to meet increasing customer demand, alongside a number of Engineer roles in commissioning, maintenance and installation. Commenting on the team’s aspirational growth plans, Jamie Allam, CEO Amthal said: “There is a positive outlook for the physical security technology and fire safety industries as we move into 2023, especially with new legislation coming through. To ensure we can continue to maximise the opportunities and remain proactive with our customers, together with the senior management team we have continued to steer the company on an ambitious growth plan. “This is both through acquisition following our success with IPL, and organic growth to further expand our geographical expansion along with adding to our existing services within the fire and security sectors. To maintain our mission, vision and values and continue to customer excellence, we are delighted to welcome Amy, Donna and our new Engineers so early in the year. We are also conscious not to be complacent and present further exciting career opportunities via both technical and managerial pathways.” Amthal is also committed to its apprenticeship programme to develop the workforce and bring forward the next generation of talent in security and fire safety. Jamie adds: “We operate in a dynamic industry and there are plenty of opportunities for a fulfilling and rewarding career. Amthal has always been a big supporter of apprentices and we continue to develop a range of training strategies and job-specific courses across the business. “We ensure apprentices have the opportunity to work with our senior team in a structured career progression path and form an essential part of our product and service development. We have employed, retained and promoted the majority of our apprentices, with some even forming part of our management structure, making a significant influence on our future business growth.” To read more news and exclusive features see our latest issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Security Buyer UK @SecurityBuyerUK @SecbuyerUK Media Contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitybuyer.com

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Genetec Releases 2022 State of Physical Security Report

UK News Desk / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

Genetec, technology provider of unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions, shared the results of its 2022 State of Physical Security report. Based on insights from over 3,700 physical security leaders worldwide (including end users and systems integrators/installers/providers), the report looks at the security strategies organisations are putting in place to effectively navigate the realities of a changing landscape. The future of security is hybrid: 54% of end user respondents indicated that their organisation’s target vision for security deployment is a blend of on-premises and cloud-based solutions. A hybrid approach enables organisations to optimise their existing on-premises investments while leveraging cloud options to save cost, increase security and efficiency, and enable remote access to systems and sensors. Cybersecurity concerns are rising: The convergence of information technology (IT) and security is inspiring new approaches to implementing and managing a strong cyber security strategy. 64% of IT respondents and 54% of security respondents indicated that cybersecurity tools are a top focus this year. Use of physical security for business operations: The survey showed that almost two thirds (63%) of all respondents and 7 in every 10 organisations with over 10,000 employees described physical security and related data as “mission-critical”. Over the last few years, physical security has become a strategic asset to cope with a variety of challenges that go beyond just mitigating risk and is now playing a much more significant role in organisations’ digital transformation. Physical security gets unified: Most respondents (64%) reported that they run both video surveillance and access control in their physical security deployments. Of those, 77% indicated that their organisation had implemented either integration between video surveillance and access control systems from different vendors, or a unified video surveillance and access control solution from one manufacturer. “Every organisation wants to get their hands on the latest technology. However, faced with budget constraints, talent shortages, and ever-changing priorities, security leaders are required to do more with less,” says Pervez Siddiqui, Vice-President of Offerings and Transformation at Genetec. “A unified security platform gives organisations a path to modernise their ageing systems while leveraging their existing infrastructure. And they can do this without expensive and complex custom development.” Survey methodology Genetec Inc. surveyed physical security professionals from August 25 to September 21, 2022. Following a review of submissions, 3,711 respondents were included in the sample for analysis. Survey samples were run across all regions including North America, Central America, Caribbean, South America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, East Asia, Southern Asia, South-Eastern Asia, Central Asia, Western Asia, and Australia-New Zealand. To read more news and exclusive features see our latest issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Security Buyer UK @SecurityBuyerUK @SecbuyerUK Media Contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitybuyer.com

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The Matrix COSEC ARGO biometric door controller

News Desk / Rebecca Morpeth-Spayne

Designed with high-performance standards, Matrix COSEC ARGO is an engineering feat that revamps various organizations’ lookout towards security concerns, including securing their assets and employees. With peak technological intelligence of the age, this biometric door controller, with a 3.5” IPS Touchscreen LCD and a sleek look, gives a visually impacting experience. With a super upgrade from the conventional devices available in the same range in the market, Matrix COSEC ARGO is a device that revolutionizes security and productivity in an organizational framework. Flaunting higher processing speed, wall and flush mounting options, and increased fingerprint and event storage capacity, it suffices the needs of every organisation. With multiple connectivity options inclusive of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, PoE, and USB and certifications of the likes of IP65 and IK06, this device becomes a suitable option for installation in challenging environmental conditions. It is a device that easily syncs with multiple solutions such as Access Control, Time-Attendance, Cafeteria management, and Job Processing & Costing. This helps to eliminate any additional needs for dedicated hardware for individual solutions. KEY FEATURES: · Multiple User Credentials – Fingerprint, BLE, RFID, PIN · High Storage Capacity – 50,000 Users Profiles, 25,000 Fingerprint Template, 5,00,000 Events Storage · Certified protection against Ingress and Vandal · Ethernet, WiFi, PoE, BLE, USB, 3G/4G/LTE Connectivity · Multiple Interfaces – Weigand, RS-232, Exit Switch Interface, Door Lock Relay To read other news stories and exclusives, see our latest issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Security Buyer @SecurityBuyer @Secbuyer Media Contact Rebecca Morpeth Spayne, Editor, Security Portfolio Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922 Email: editor@securitybuyer.com

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