ARC Team exhibiting at IFSEC 12-15 May

Put names to faces and visit members of the ARC Team next week (12-15 May) at IFSEC, the UK's premier security exhibition at the NEC Birmingham.

Hall 7 – Stand 460.

For more informatino about IFSEC visit the exhibition website at: http://www.ifsec.co.uk/

If you are unable to attend the exhibition, but would like to know more about our accredited security management courses, please visit our new website at http://www.arc-tc.com/ or contact Janet.

CCTV Focus

Most organisations these days rely on CCTV as a vital part of their asset protection strategy. We at ARC have always insisted that, although CCTV is an extremely useful 'force multiplier' when correctly installed and managed,the benefits can be negated by a lack of thought, planning and control. What is more, if an adversary detects a gap in the system, he will exploit it andtake advantage of the weakness. A report by BBC News, dated 6th May,highlights the difficulties faced by the police in the UK, which has more CCTV cameras than any other country in the world covering public areas.

To learn more about this, follow the link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7384843.stm

ARC covers CCTV deployment and technologies in number of its courses,contact Janet for details.

Security Management Focus

The week beginning 12th May will see security professionals converging once more on ARC’s training centre in Berkshire for the latest Security Management Stage 3 (SM3) course. This course, revamped for 2008, is designed to allow delegates to address the issues, problems and solutions related to security management at the higher corporate level. As this is the final course in our 3-phase programme, and which provides a total of 80 credits towards the Middlesex University MSc, the subject matter is detailed, strategic in nature and academic with a clear focus on emerging risks and their global impact – and what can be done to deal with them.

As with all ‘SMs’, the course involves a detailed and demanding course project, which requires a great deal of hard work and the ability to think beyond security as simply protecting against current adversaries, and instead to anticipate and plan for what is over the horizon. Successful graduates from SM3 leave with an expanded skill set and vastly increased awareness of these wider issues and thus have the potential to add real and substantial value to their company operations.

If you are interested in the challenges and benefits that ARC’s courses can provide, please check our website http://www.arc-tc.com/ for details or contact Janet.

Business Continuity Focus

Phil Wood continues his Business Continuity Management 'campaign' with a 2-day Crisis and Business Continuity workshop to be delivered to ASIS members inHong Kong on 2nd and 3rd June. The workshop will discuss the challenges to business when a crisis arises and the options for keeping operations up and running through and beyond a disaster. See Phil's thoughts on the links between the various crisis disciplines in this article, recently published in 'Security Management Today' magazine:

http://www.info4security.com/story.asp?storycode=4118356

ARC is able to provide training in this increasingly important subject,tailored to your company's specific needs and concerns. Contact Phil orJanet for more information.

Voice over Internet Protocol – The Insecure Side

One imaginative way to create dynamic return on security investment is to build in Voice over Internet telephony when implementing a large-scale IP CCTV project. In essence, the basic infrastructure for the two systems is the same, and the cost savings are potentially phenomenal – in some cases an entire IP CCTV system can be paid for in savings in telephony costs by the end of the first year of operation.

But before recommending this to your CEO, consider the downside of VoIP. Without stringent controls maintained by network managers and Internet service providers, VoIP communication are just as susceptible to hackers as unsecured WiFi connections to the Internet. A hacker could, for example, tap into a corporate VoIP system and listen to confidential calls. Another typical security risk involves hackers slipping into a call center using VoIP and listening as customers give sensitive information like Social Security numbers and financial account information to call center workers.

VoIP security is one of many subjects covered during the forthcoming Specifying Security Technology Course, 21-25 July 2008. Click below for details:

http://www.arc-tc.com/pages/other_accredited_sm.asp#s4

Arabian Gulf - Will Israel Launch a Pre-Emptive Strike against Iran's Nuclear Facilities?

The prospect of a pre-emptive air or missile strike by Israel against Iranian nuclear facilities took a step closer to realisation this week with a warning by Israeli Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz that Iran’s nuclear technology advancement now is at the point that Iran could develop an atomic bomb in a year, and not the five or more years many Western intelligence authorities have believed it would take.

Analysts are divided over the potential of such an attack to create political instability in neighbouring Arabian Gulf countries, since many moderate Gulf countries fear Iran’s regional aspirations.

CPP Examination Preparation

CPP candidates undertaking a week of intensive examination preparation in the UK took a break from their studies today to listen to Peter French CPP, European Senior Regional Vice President for ASIS International, outline is vision for ASIS International as a future lead body on security in Europe.

The European region of ASIS International, in common with other international regions, is seeing year-on-year growth in both membership and those studying for certification. The European Region now boasts 2,500 members, providing a unique network of colleagues across 30 European countries.

ASIS International is expanding across the world, and with it certification. And ARC’s certification review programmes, regarded internationally as second-to-none, are experiencing a surge in demand. David will be travelling to Bangladesh on Friday to conduct a CPP review for a group of security managers intent on setting up a new chapter in Dhaka. Peter will be travelling to Nigeria in the summer to conduct PSP, and there are plans for ARC to begin CPP training in Oman next year, where a new chapter is about to be established.