SMT Security Guarding Section at IFSEC 2007

IFSEC – The Annual Global Security exhibition organised by CMP Information, the publisher of Security Management Today (SMT) – had a bumper year in 2006, attracting in excess of 28,000 visitors (25% of whom were end users). That represents a healthy 5% increase on 2005.

Three of the major reasons behind the substantially enhanced end user interest were the introduction of a dedicated Security Guarding Village, a structured seminar programme for security managers and The SMT Forum – all of which will be reappearing in 2007 although in an enhanced format designed to entice clients still further.

The re-branded Security Guarding and Support Services Section will represent the full range of people-based security and training solutions, including Front-of-House, the back office, patrolling, electronic security, remote monitoring, covert and specialist services.

Planned – as always – with the full support of Security Management Today, the British Security Industry Association, The Security Institute, Skills for Security and ASIS International’s UK Chapter 208 (not to mention several of the country’s leading guarding companies, a decision has been taken to broaden the content following consultation with industry figureheads.

“The addition of Support Services embraces the many other important solutions provided by (and for) the security guarding sector,” commented James Blue, IFSEC’s award-winning event director. “Security guarding companies are now being asked by their clients to provide staff with a much wider skills set than has previously been the norm. We want to reflect that integration and diversity at the NEC.”

Companies who have already decided to exhibit include the Advance Group, the AFC Group, G4S Security Services (UK), HSF, Innovise, Interconnective/Infologue.com, Legion Group plc, Leisuresec plc, MITIE Security, M-Set Technologies, Nationwide Security, Northern Security, the Security Guard Company, The Security Institute, Skills for Security, Sword Event Guard International, Uniform Express, VSG, Wilson James, bconnected and the International Professional Security Association.

Once again, Security Management Today will be running The SMT Forum. This time around we’ll be focusing on the subject of procurement in the industry, and also reviewing the work to date of the excellent Security Research Initiative headed up by Professor Martin Gill of Perpetuity Research and Consultancy International (PRCI).

In addition, there will be a full seminar programme in the SMT-sponsored Security Management Theatre, complete with contributions from The Security Institute. More details on this will follow in the April edition of the journal, and in our forthcoming e-mail Editorial Newsletters.

Police and Public Security Section Launched in response to demand from exhibitors and visitors alike, the all-new Police and Public Security Section will provide an excellent platform from which to source new products and services. It’s worth remembering that nearly 2,500 attendees from the police services and related industries participated in IFSEC last time around!

The introduction of security guarding at IFSEC 2006 was welcomed with open arms. It enabled contractors to really communicate with their end users

Gary Shuttleworth, Nationwide Security

The new Section will encompass crime prevention, covert equipment, command and control, counter-terrorism, detection dog services and body armour/personnel protection in addition to a large emphasis on education and training.

The Police and Public Security Section is to run adjacent to the Security Guarding and Support Services Section so make sure you pop by and take a look. Those already booked to exhibit include Audax, Integrian, Fibre Optech, it Logic, Mayflex, MEM, RoboCam, Movena, Solon and, of course, Secured by Design.

Recognising the significant impact that security systems can have on levels of public safety, the Association of Chief Police Officers’ (ACPO) has announced a new award (to be bestowed at IFSEC) that will recognise this contribution for the first time.

The Use of Technology for Improving Public Safety Award will acknowledge the company that has made the biggest impact on public safety and protection through the intelligent deployment of its own technology. A wide variety of schemes and projects will be assessed, and acclaim will be given to those that have reduced crime, detected offenders or otherwise significantly reduced risks faced by members of the public.

Commenting on the introduction of this award, Peter Davies – assistant chief constable of Lincolnshire Police and chairman of ACPO’s Security Systems Working Group – tols SMT: “The Association of Chief Police Officers’ understands the contribution that security systems can make to peoples’ safety and levels of reassurance. This award is all about recognising that, and rewarding an organisation that can demonstrate excellence in delivery of their solution.”

ACPO Technology Award: how to enter

The award is open to public/private sector partnerships, consultants (who have contributed to a safer environment through project implementation) and security guarding contractors that have successfully the innovative use of technology alongside traditional manpower and reduced a threat.

Further details are available on the Internet at www.ifsec.co.uk