Source and Copyright: Hexus.Net
More than 17,000 USB sticks were left behind in dry cleaners and launderettes in the UK during 2010, according to a new survey. According to Credant Technologies, the number of USB sticks left behind at the shops increased 400 percent from 2009 levels.
It noted that the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), which has the power to hand out £500,000 fines for breached of the data Protection Act (DPA) has handed out 2 fines to Ealing Council and Hounslow Council in February alone, for £80,000 and £70,000 respectively.
Comment:
All ARC staff are required by policy to use encryptable Sandisk Cruzer Extreme USB flash drives, which are available from Amazon.com. They cost a little more than regular flash drives, but the data on them is totally secure if lost. We find that as long as staff are aware of the reason for such measures, and the potential consequences of inadvertent loss, they cooperate willingly. Try it out in your organisations.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Expand Your Expertise as a Security Professional
First step towards your MSc Professional Practice in Corporate Security Management.
Gain a thorough grounding in security management, and take your first step toward an MSc degree with the university-accredited Security Management Stage 1. Next course takes place in Dubai, 10-21 April. Click here for details.
Become a qualified security surveyor.
Get a BTEC Level 4 Professional Award in Security Surveying. Next UK course 4-8 April. Click on the course title for details, or click here to contact Janet and reserve your place.
Who is lying to you?
Learn the skills of investigation on the Investigating and Interviewing Skills (BTEC Level 4 Award in Workplace Investigation & Interviewing) course and catch the cheats in your organisation. Next UK course 11-14 April. Click on the course title for details, or click here to contact Janet and reserve your place.
Seeking strategic security management skills?
You’ve got a CPP, or have attended Security Management Stages 1 & 2, and now you want to develop your strategic security management skills? The Security Management Stage 3 course takes place 16-27 May. Click on the course title for details, or click here to contact Janet and reserve your place.
Develop your existing investigative skills.
You’re a practised investigator and you want to take your skills a stage further. Consider the Advanced Investigations Techniques course, delivered by former police senior investigators. Next UK course 6-10 June. Click on the course title for details, or click here to contact Janet and reserve your place.
Counter-terrorism training.
How do you protect your facilities against a bomb attack? Learn from police-trained counter-terrorism experts on the Protecting Infrastructure against Terrorism course. Next UK course 13-17 June. Click on the course title for details, or click here to contact Janet and reserve your place.
Gain a thorough grounding in security management, and take your first step toward an MSc degree with the university-accredited Security Management Stage 1. Next course takes place in Dubai, 10-21 April. Click here for details.
Become a qualified security surveyor.
Get a BTEC Level 4 Professional Award in Security Surveying. Next UK course 4-8 April. Click on the course title for details, or click here to contact Janet and reserve your place.
Who is lying to you?
Learn the skills of investigation on the Investigating and Interviewing Skills (BTEC Level 4 Award in Workplace Investigation & Interviewing) course and catch the cheats in your organisation. Next UK course 11-14 April. Click on the course title for details, or click here to contact Janet and reserve your place.
Seeking strategic security management skills?
You’ve got a CPP, or have attended Security Management Stages 1 & 2, and now you want to develop your strategic security management skills? The Security Management Stage 3 course takes place 16-27 May. Click on the course title for details, or click here to contact Janet and reserve your place.
Develop your existing investigative skills.
You’re a practised investigator and you want to take your skills a stage further. Consider the Advanced Investigations Techniques course, delivered by former police senior investigators. Next UK course 6-10 June. Click on the course title for details, or click here to contact Janet and reserve your place.
Counter-terrorism training.
How do you protect your facilities against a bomb attack? Learn from police-trained counter-terrorism experts on the Protecting Infrastructure against Terrorism course. Next UK course 13-17 June. Click on the course title for details, or click here to contact Janet and reserve your place.
Managing Threats in a Dangerous World
The Chartered Management Institute has just published its 2011 Business Continuity Management Survey, entitled Managing Threats in a Dangerous World. For a copy of the publication, email David.
Crisis Management takes the form of a one-day workshop on the university-accredited (leading to MSc) Security Management Stage 1 Course. For details of forthcoming courses in Dubai, the UK and Kenya, contact Janet.
Business Continuity Management is a one-day workshop on the university-accredited (leading to MSc) Security Management Stage 2 Course, 4-15 July. For full course details click on the course title, or contact Janet.
Crisis Management takes the form of a one-day workshop on the university-accredited (leading to MSc) Security Management Stage 1 Course. For details of forthcoming courses in Dubai, the UK and Kenya, contact Janet.
Business Continuity Management is a one-day workshop on the university-accredited (leading to MSc) Security Management Stage 2 Course, 4-15 July. For full course details click on the course title, or contact Janet.
Thinking of Investing in IP CCTV? Read This First
Tyco has produced a very useful Guide to IP CCTV, a copy of which can be obtained by emailing David.
CCTV is covered in detail on Security Management Stage 2. Full course contents can be found at http://www.arc-tc.com/pages/university_acredited_sm.asp#sm2 and forthcoming course dates are:
UK
4-15 July 2011
10-21 October 2011
Contact Janet for details of the above.
Nairobi, Kenya
4-15 July 2011
Click here for details of the Nairobi course.
CCTV is covered in detail on Security Management Stage 2. Full course contents can be found at http://www.arc-tc.com/pages/university_acredited_sm.asp#sm2 and forthcoming course dates are:
UK
4-15 July 2011
10-21 October 2011
Contact Janet for details of the above.
Nairobi, Kenya
4-15 July 2011
Click here for details of the Nairobi course.
One of the Biggest Threats to Your IT Systems is Preventable
Social engineering. Read about it here:
http://www.cio.com.au/article/380867/social_engineering_remains_biggest_cyber_threat/
http://www.cio.com.au/article/380867/social_engineering_remains_biggest_cyber_threat/
CONGRATULATIONS! Another ARC Student Earns the Masters Degree Professional Practice in Corporate Security Management
It’s subject to verification, but it is safe to announce: Another ARC student has achieved their Masters Degree Professional Practice in Corporate Security Management with Middlesex University!Dawn Green works for Thames Water, and began her security management training with ARC in 2005. Progressing through Security Management Stages 1, 2 and 3 with distinction, she transferred to the university-led element of the Masters programme in 2010.
Dawn’s dissertation with Middlesex University earned her a very commendable merit grade, and we look forward to celebrating her success at the forthcoming Graduation Ceremony.
If you are interested in working towards the MSc Professional Practice in Corporate Security Management, the starting point is the Security Management Stage 1 Course.
Forthcoming Security Management Stage 1 events are as follows:
April
10-21 April, Dubai
May
16-27 May, Nairobi
16-27 May, Singapore
August
8-19 August, UK
Contact Janet for details.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Candidates Prepare for PSP Certification
Debswana (Botswana) candidates enjoy a brief snack between intensive sessions to prepare for their PSP certification exams next week.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Smiles of Achievement
A new group of students this time representing Brazil, Thailand, Germany, Nigeria, Oman, Tajikistan the UK commenced their ARC Security Management Stage 1 course on Monday at Streatley. All of the students have security responsibilities ranging through the oil and gas, consumables and offshore industries. Whilst some have had either police or military backgrounds, others have had continous commercial experience. This rich mixture of skills and knowledge are bringing great benefit to all of the group members.
By the middle of only the second day one student smiled and said 'I now have a model for risk assessment and managment that I can use in my company, thank you'.
This course can contribute to a Masters Degree through Middlesex University and although several of the Students had already undertaken to progrees to that award, since his arrival another one had decided to join them. Despite some initial scepticism when their instructor told them that they would enjoy their project, by Wednesday evening they were thoroughly involved in their syndicate work. With another eight days to go the signs are that more ARC students will be heading home sporting a well deserved smile of achievement.
Then next UK Security Management Stage 1 Course takes place in the UK, 8-19 August. In the interim, there are Security Management Stage 1 courses taking place in Dubai (April), Kenya (May) and Singapore (May). Email Janet for details, or go to http://www.arc-tc.com/pages/university_acredited_sm.asp#sm1
Monday, March 14, 2011
Record Mock Exam Scores from Botswana PSP Candidates
Nine delegates from Debswana, Botswana, began the intensive classroom phase of their PSP Certification Preparation Programme this morning, and the first task on the agenda was the mock examination. The scores were exceptional, with almost every candidate passing, and one, Kenneth Tau, scoring a record 83%. The results bode well for a week from today, when the candidates will sit the real thing.
Between now and then the whole syllabus will be covered in a series of intensive classroom sessions and daily testing.
This week’s classroom phase brings to an end almost a year of distance learning, during which candidates have devoted long weekends and many evenings to study.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Working in Partnership to Secure the World’s Largest Diamond Mine
David is currently in the Botswana capital Gaborone to deliver the final stage of a preparation programme for the ASIS PSP (Physical Security Professional) certification award, the culmination of a year of distance learning study.
There are nine candidates attending the programme, many of whom are employed on security management duties at the world’s largest diamond mine by value, Jwaneng Mine, which is operated as a joint venture by De Beers and the Botswana government.
With efficient security in place, it is predicted that diamond mining will continue at the mine for at least the next 20 years!
There are nine candidates attending the programme, many of whom are employed on security management duties at the world’s largest diamond mine by value, Jwaneng Mine, which is operated as a joint venture by De Beers and the Botswana government.
With efficient security in place, it is predicted that diamond mining will continue at the mine for at least the next 20 years!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
US Study Finds that Workers Face 10% chance of Losing their Laptops
Source and Copyright: Microsoft
• According to a new study, more than 300 businesses and other organizations lost more than 86,000 laptop PCs worth a staggering $2.1 billion.
• The majority of these companies with significant amounts of confidential data on their mobile PCs do not take advantage of even basic security practices.
• Transportation venues, such as airports and train stations are not the riskiest places; seemingly safe locations, such as homes and hotel rooms account for more than 40 percent of laptop disappearances.
• Workers face up to a 10 percent chance of losing their laptops, depending on the industry they work in.
Join the university-accredited Security Management Stage 1 Course, 8-19 August and see what you can be doing to mitigate this risk. Contact Janet for details.
• According to a new study, more than 300 businesses and other organizations lost more than 86,000 laptop PCs worth a staggering $2.1 billion.
• The majority of these companies with significant amounts of confidential data on their mobile PCs do not take advantage of even basic security practices.
• Transportation venues, such as airports and train stations are not the riskiest places; seemingly safe locations, such as homes and hotel rooms account for more than 40 percent of laptop disappearances.
• Workers face up to a 10 percent chance of losing their laptops, depending on the industry they work in.
Join the university-accredited Security Management Stage 1 Course, 8-19 August and see what you can be doing to mitigate this risk. Contact Janet for details.
Security Management Stage 1 in Singapore – Coming Very Soon!
David Cresswell has been invited to Singapore by local partner company Talent Street to deliver the university-accredited Security Management Stage 1 Course, 16-27 May 2011. The SM1 course, which has been successfully completed by hundreds of security professionals from all over the world, provides an optional first step for delegates wishing to study for the MSc Professional Practice in Corporate Security Management.
For more information, or to register a place on the course, click here.
Third of European PC Users Caught Virus in 2010, and Smartphone Viruses on Increase
Almost one third of internet users in the European Union caught a PC virus despite the majority having security software installed, statistics show. In early January, according to some estimates, the number of viruses targeting PCs hit 50 million.
Numbers suggest that smartphones are becoming more widespread than PCs, meaning they are becoming an increasingly lucrative target for scammers and hi-tech thieves. Much of the malware targeting smartphones was spread via PDFs and Flash software, Mcafee said.
IT Security - Managing Strategic Risks is one of 15 top-level security management topics covered on the forthcoming university-accredited Security Management Stage 3 Course, 16-27 May. Contact Janet for details.
Numbers suggest that smartphones are becoming more widespread than PCs, meaning they are becoming an increasingly lucrative target for scammers and hi-tech thieves. Much of the malware targeting smartphones was spread via PDFs and Flash software, Mcafee said.
IT Security - Managing Strategic Risks is one of 15 top-level security management topics covered on the forthcoming university-accredited Security Management Stage 3 Course, 16-27 May. Contact Janet for details.
ARC to Deliver the University Accredited Security Management Stage 1 Course in Africa
ARC’s southern Africa representative, AMC International, has invited ARC to deliver the university-accredited Security Management Stage 1 Course in Nairobi, Kenya, 16-27 May 2011. The Security Management Stage 1 course provides an optional first step for delegates wishing to study for the MSc Professional Practice in Corporate Security Management.This has now become an annual event, following on from a very successful Security Management Stage 1 in Kenya last year.
For more information and to make a booking, click here.
Industrial Espionage – Data out of the Door
Copyright: Financial Times
“Industrial espionage is being catapulted to a position of great relevance to many of the world’s top companies as technological change becomes of growing importance to business performance. Companies across the world are increasingly interested in gaining access to their competitors’ secrets as early as possible in the development cycle for new products and services.
Most corporate intelligence gathering is legitimate, based on such conventional practices as picking up scraps of information about competitors by attending trade shows. But few people involved doubt that the illicit part of this activity is bigger than it ever was.
The ways that secrets are taken vary. One of the most widely used is when employees switch jobs, taking with them confidential designs.
But the vast majority of cyber-espionage cases in the US, which are linked to “hacking” into computer networks, have been traced to e-mails with plausible-looking attachments that use parts of Microsoft Word and other commonplace programs to extract information and channel it to unauthorised people over the internet. Warnings about such espionage are often ignored by staff, however, so experts recommend that businesses focus instead on rapid patching of such software “vulnerabilities”.”
Business espionage and countermeasures are addressed in detail in a one-day workshop on the forthcoming Security Management Stage 3 Course. If you have a particular interest in this subject, but don’t wish to attend the whole course, you may attend the workshop as a day delegate. Contact Janet for details.
“Industrial espionage is being catapulted to a position of great relevance to many of the world’s top companies as technological change becomes of growing importance to business performance. Companies across the world are increasingly interested in gaining access to their competitors’ secrets as early as possible in the development cycle for new products and services.
Most corporate intelligence gathering is legitimate, based on such conventional practices as picking up scraps of information about competitors by attending trade shows. But few people involved doubt that the illicit part of this activity is bigger than it ever was.
The ways that secrets are taken vary. One of the most widely used is when employees switch jobs, taking with them confidential designs.
But the vast majority of cyber-espionage cases in the US, which are linked to “hacking” into computer networks, have been traced to e-mails with plausible-looking attachments that use parts of Microsoft Word and other commonplace programs to extract information and channel it to unauthorised people over the internet. Warnings about such espionage are often ignored by staff, however, so experts recommend that businesses focus instead on rapid patching of such software “vulnerabilities”.”
Business espionage and countermeasures are addressed in detail in a one-day workshop on the forthcoming Security Management Stage 3 Course. If you have a particular interest in this subject, but don’t wish to attend the whole course, you may attend the workshop as a day delegate. Contact Janet for details.
Could You Be Prosecuted for Getting A Decision Fatally Wrong in an Emergency?
The news that three senior fire officers are to be prosecuted over the deaths of four firefighters attending a fire in the UK has prompted a debate on a Linked-in community recently over how much risk we should expose our security staff to, and the safeguards that we need to put in place to protect both managers from prosecution and front-line staff from harm. For a copy of the transcript, email David.
To Blow the Whistle?
There has been an interesting discussion on a linked-in community recently on the pros and cons of having an anonymous “whistle blowing” hotline. For a copy of the transcript, email David.
David Cresswell to Deliver the University Accredited Security Management Stage 1 Course in Dubai in April
ARC’s Arabian Gulf representative, Precept Management Consultancy, has invited David Cresswell to deliver the university-accredited Security Management Stage 1 Course in Dubai, 10-21 April 2011. The SM1 course provides an optional first step for delegates wishing to study for the MSc Professional Practice in Corporate Security Management.For more information and to make a booking, click here.
BTEC Level 4 Professional Award in Security Coordination and Management
Yaqoub Almughamis is typical of the 10 delegates who graduated on Friday 25th February with their BTEC Level 4 Professional Awards in Security Coordination and Management. Recently appointed as Assistant Director General (Security) at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Yaqoub had been a career general manager until his promotion into a security management role. The one-week BTEC Level 4 Professional Award in Security Management fulfilled all of his expectations and he is now keen to put into practice his new skills at knowledge to the betterment of his organisation.
The King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals is one of the leading research and teaching universities in the Middle East. In 2009, KFUPM was ranked in the top 1% of 30,000 selected universities worldwide by Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings, based on research quality, teaching quality, employability of alumni and international outlook. The ARC Training International Academy for Security Management is proud to serve KFUPM.
For more details about the Edexcel BTEC Level 4 Professional Award in Security Coordination and Management go to http://www.arc-tc.com/pages/other_accredited_sm.asp#s1b, or contact Janet.
For overseas BTEC Level 4 Professional Award courses planned later this year for Dubai, South Africa and Nigeria, contact Janet also and she will put you in touch with the organisers.
Would You Be Tempted?
You put your card into an ATM machine and it dispenses more cash than you requested. Do you:
a. Keep the cash and say nothing?
b. Report the matter to the bank?
c. Give the balance to charity?
d. Something else?
Firstly, this doesn't happen very often, so don't get excited! This is often perceived as a “victimless crime”, similar to the ways in which employees view pilfering from their employer or falsifying expenses. This, and other issues to do with morality and internal crime are discussed in detail on the Security Management Stage 1 Course, which will be taking place next week, and later in the year, 8-19 August. Click on the course title link for more information or contact Janet for details.
To find out what most people would do in the ATM incident, go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12645719
a. Keep the cash and say nothing?
b. Report the matter to the bank?
c. Give the balance to charity?
d. Something else?
Firstly, this doesn't happen very often, so don't get excited! This is often perceived as a “victimless crime”, similar to the ways in which employees view pilfering from their employer or falsifying expenses. This, and other issues to do with morality and internal crime are discussed in detail on the Security Management Stage 1 Course, which will be taking place next week, and later in the year, 8-19 August. Click on the course title link for more information or contact Janet for details.
To find out what most people would do in the ATM incident, go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12645719
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
How to Become a More Knowledgeable Security Professional
First step towards your MSc Professional Practice in Corporate Security Management.
Gain a thorough grounding in security management, and take your first step toward an MSc degree with the university-accredited Security Management Stage 1. Next UK course 14-25 March. Click on the course title for details.
Learn how to create smart security.
By attending the Developing Intelligence in a Corporate Security Environment course. Developed and delivered by experts in the field of intelligence collection and analysis. Next UK course 28 March – 1 April. Click on the course title for details.
Become a qualified security surveyor.
Get a BTEC Level 4 Professional Award in Security Surveying. Next UK course 4-8 April. Click on the course title for details.
Who is lying to you?
Learn the skills of investigation on the Investigating and Interviewing Skills (BTEC Level 4 Award in Workplace Investigation & Interviewing) course and catch the cheats in your organisation. Next UK course 11-14 April. Click on the course title for details.
Seeking strategic security management skills?
You’ve got a CPP, or have attended Security Management Stages 1 & 2, and now you want to develop your strategic security management skills? The Security Management Stage 3 course takes place 16-27 May. Click on the course title for details.
Develop your existing investigative skills.
You’re a practised investigator and you want to take your skills a stage further. Consider the Advanced Investigations Techniques course, delivered by former police senior investigators. Next UK course 6-10 June. Click on the course title for details.
Counter-terrorism training.
How do you protect your facilities against a bomb attack? Learn from police-trained counter-terrorism experts on the Protecting Infrastructure against Terrorism course. Next UK course 13-17 June. Click on the course title for details.
Gain a thorough grounding in security management, and take your first step toward an MSc degree with the university-accredited Security Management Stage 1. Next UK course 14-25 March. Click on the course title for details.
Learn how to create smart security.
By attending the Developing Intelligence in a Corporate Security Environment course. Developed and delivered by experts in the field of intelligence collection and analysis. Next UK course 28 March – 1 April. Click on the course title for details.
Become a qualified security surveyor.
Get a BTEC Level 4 Professional Award in Security Surveying. Next UK course 4-8 April. Click on the course title for details.
Who is lying to you?
Learn the skills of investigation on the Investigating and Interviewing Skills (BTEC Level 4 Award in Workplace Investigation & Interviewing) course and catch the cheats in your organisation. Next UK course 11-14 April. Click on the course title for details.
Seeking strategic security management skills?
You’ve got a CPP, or have attended Security Management Stages 1 & 2, and now you want to develop your strategic security management skills? The Security Management Stage 3 course takes place 16-27 May. Click on the course title for details.
Develop your existing investigative skills.
You’re a practised investigator and you want to take your skills a stage further. Consider the Advanced Investigations Techniques course, delivered by former police senior investigators. Next UK course 6-10 June. Click on the course title for details.
Counter-terrorism training.
How do you protect your facilities against a bomb attack? Learn from police-trained counter-terrorism experts on the Protecting Infrastructure against Terrorism course. Next UK course 13-17 June. Click on the course title for details.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Security Managers Give Thumbs Up to Twitter
While there is general apathy in the UK towards Twitter social media networking to aid security intelligence building and to help communicate in an emergency, a discussion on Linked-In by senior security professionals in the US gives Twitter a definite thumbs up.
I have a PDF copy of the discussion. For a copy, email me here.
I have a PDF copy of the discussion. For a copy, email me here.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
India: Security Guards Stand by as Workers Burn to Death Manager
Source: BBC News
A senior manager of an Indian steel factory has been burnt to death in the eastern state of Orissa, allegedly by a group of workers. Correspondents say that the security guards at the company gates did not appear to have come to Mr Roy's rescue through they witnessed the incident.
Police said the workers stopped the vehicle carrying Mr Roy, doused it in petrol and set it on fire. The driver and another employee in the vehicle managed to flee.
The factory had recently suspended 25 workers, reports say.
A senior manager of an Indian steel factory has been burnt to death in the eastern state of Orissa, allegedly by a group of workers. Correspondents say that the security guards at the company gates did not appear to have come to Mr Roy's rescue through they witnessed the incident.
Police said the workers stopped the vehicle carrying Mr Roy, doused it in petrol and set it on fire. The driver and another employee in the vehicle managed to flee.
The factory had recently suspended 25 workers, reports say.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)