Quick Links to the Law

The ARC web resources page now has quick links to some of the main pieces of UK legislation affecting the security manager. Click on the link below to be taken to the list:

http://www.arc-tc.com/pages/resources_publications.asp#L

International Terrorism and Critical Infrastructures

The threat of international terrorism and the increasing number of natural disasters pose a growing challenge for the protection of critical infrastructures, many of which are operated by the private sector. And information technology, which has pervaded all areas of life and economic activity, brings new vulnerabilities.

The German Government has produced an excellent guide in English on the protection of such infrastructures. The guide can be accessed via the ARC website by clicking on the link below:
Protecting Critical Infrastructures - Risk and Crisis Management. A guide for companies and government authorities

In 2009 ARC Training will be offering two new courses on the protection of critical infrastructure:

Protecting Critical Infrastructure, 17-21 August, is intended for security managers who manage the security of critical infrastructure - typically, energy, communications, water, finance, food, health and transport sectors. It will examine the range of threats to designated critical infrastructure, including external physical attacks, sabotage, terrorism, IT-based attacks and insider-assisted attacks, and includes strategies for risk management. For details click on the link below:
http://www.arc-tc.com/pages/other_accredited_sm.asp#s5

Managing Security Risks in the Oil & Gas Sector, 24-28 August, is a sector-specific programme intended for security managers or consultants in the oil and gas industry, or those seeking work in this sector. Drawing on case studies from around the world, it addresses some of the more complex risks associated with oil and gas operations in various environments and includes many practical exercises. Participants should have a baseline level of security management knowledge, such as that covered in Security Management Stage 1. For details click on the link below:
http://www.arc-tc.com/pages/other_accredited_sm.asp#s1

For details on any ARC course, or to discuss an on-house requirement, contact Janet.

The Human Rights Act 1998 – Are you Bound by It?

The UK Human Rights Act 1998 is based on the European Convention on Human Rights. The Act makes it unlawful for a public authority in the UK to act incompatibly with the Convention rights and allows for a case to be brought in a UK court or tribunal against the authority if it does so.

Privatised utilities such as water, gas and electricity companies have functions that will probably count as "public" under the Human Rights Act. If a body of this type has breached Convention rights, a claim under the Act is possible only if the act or decision complained about is in the public sphere. If it is a wholly private matter (for example where such a person, body or company is acting as an employer or in a commercial capacity), a claim under the Human Rights Act will not be possible.

For a detailed explanation of the guide, click below:
A Guide to the Human Rights Act 1998

Corporate Social Responsibility Focus

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) publishes a set of Performance Standards to manage social and environmental risks and impacts and to enhance development opportunities in its private sector financing in its member countries eligible for financing. The Performance Standards may also be applied by other financial institutions electing to apply them to projects in emerging markets.

On a recent ARC Training on-site course, the CEO of a leading oil and gas company addressing security management delegates underscored his belief that within the context of oil and gas operations in developing countries corporate social responsibility and security management we “two sides of the same coin”.

To download the standards go to:
http://www.arc-tc.com/pages/resources_publications.asp#C
and scroll down to the heading Corporate Social Responsibility.

The relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility and security management will be one of the topics covered in detail in the new Managing Security Risks in the Oil & Gas Sector, 24-28 August. Click on
http://www.arc-tc.com/pages/other_accredited_sm.asp#s1

For details on any ARC course, or to discuss an on-house requirement, contact Janet.

New EU Study on Countering Information Security Risks

ENISA, the EU agency for information security, has published a new study on how to counter information security risks with a focus on the financial sector staff awareness.
To access the report, go to:
http://www.enisa.europa.eu/pages/02_01_press_2008_11_26_financial_markets.html

Panel Warns Biological Attack Likely by 2013

The United States can expect a terrorist attack using nuclear or more likely biological weapons before 2013, reports a bipartisan commission in a study being briefed Tuesday to US Vice President-elect Joe Biden.

"The United States should be less concerned that terrorists will become biologists and far more concerned that biologists will become terrorists," the report states. The report is due for release today.

Click on the link below for the full story:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-12-02-terrorist-attacks-report_N.htm

Shared Destinies: Security in a Globalised World

The Institute for Public Policy Research is the UK’s leading progressive think-tank. Its Commission on National Security has just released its latest report in which it warns:

“There is a pressing need to do more to prevent and prepare for violent conflict, state failure, nuclear proliferation, bioterrorism and global pandemics."

Contact David for a copy of the report, or sign up for a copy at http://www.ippr.org/security/publicationsandreports.asp?id=636&tid=2656