Counter Terror Expo, 14-15 April, 2010, London, UK: Supported by Aprodex

Counter Terror Expo will be held 14-15 April at the prestigious National Hall at London’s Olympia Conference and Exhibitions Centre. Over two full days high level attendees will debate issues such as intelligence sharing and greater cross border cooperation in the fight against international terrorism.

Counter Terror Expo brings the world’s leading thinkers in the arena together annually with those tasked with turning strategy into meaningful deliverables from across the globe. The event seeks to foster much closer ties between agencies tasked with preventing terrorist outrages and is actively supported by leading sponsors including Thales DLJ UK, Rapiscan Systems, EADS, Lockheed Martin, Smiths Detection, Panasonic, Bosch and others. The event comprises an extensive high-level conference, multiple supporting specialist workshops and one of the biggest technology exhibitions of its kind in the world today.

Principal conference themes with particular importance in light of current events include Building Cooperation across Europe and Internationally to Combat Terrorism in the Current Climate; Cooperative Counter Terror Strategies with South East Asian Countries, Facilitating Transatlantic Action in Response to Terrorism and The Role of the United States in Countering the Changing Face of International Terrorism amongst others.

Attitude counts for everything when seeking work in the Global Security Industry

The following is the advice and guidence of Robin Barratt of "Pilgrim Information Systems"

Let's face it, with almost 6000 licensed close protection officers in the UK alone, plus many thousands more with security degrees or security qualified, looking for work within this relatively small sector of the industry will, for many people, be fairly difficult. Also, don't forget, if you are applying for international positions you are also competing with thousands of other trained close protection personnel worldwide.

But there is work out there, in fact there is lots of work. Last month alone I found almost 50 positions advertised on the net (how many did you find?). The security industry worldwide is one of the only industries that has grown during this so called 'credit crunch' and the threat level in almost every country worldwide has never been higher. Security is the number one concern for virtually every government and corporate businesses consistently spend time and a lot of money to keep their business and its personnel safe. And so, to be frank, the only person stopping you finding work is...yourself.

Maybe you don't have the right qualifications, or you are not looking in the right places, or you don't know where to look, or you haven't joined the right forums or job search services, or you haven't submitted your CV to the right employment agencies, or you simply do not have the right attitude...the list – and excuses - for not finding work are endless.

In the UK, just having an SIA Close Protection license is not a guarantee of a job, although it seems from the feedback and comments I have had over the years, many people with a license more or less expect doors to be opened and their phone to be ringing with job offers. Sadly, unlike some other professions, that is not the case in either close protection or security consultancy. Many people, not just in the UK but worldwide, will spend a lot of money and their time on a close protection training course, but then virtually nothing else thereafter on either further training or marketing themselves. You can have the best product in the world but its pretty irrelevant if no one knows about it.

So what are a few simple things you can do to raise the chances of finding work in this industry ? Firstly ask yourself what YOUR unique selling point is, what makes you different to the tens of thousands of other CPOs worldwide ? If you say there is nothing different about me...well its about time you found something ! Let me give you an example; a few years ago when I ran the Worldwide Federation of Bodyguards (now closed down, I think!) I trained a coloured girl called Nicki. She had neither a military nor security experience, in fact she was a shop assistant, but she had drive and determination and she wanted to set up a company providing black female bodyguards to black singers and celebrities. Her company is now based in LA and last year she turned over about 6 million USD. She was black, she was female and she capitalized on her uniqueness. So what is yours ? Maybe you speak another language fluently, maybe you have driving qualifications, maybe you are a paramedic, maybe you have previously worked in mining or a scuba diver, or know another country really well. For example I know Moscow as well as I know my home city, which immediately puts me at an advantage for anyone wanting security in Moscow. Recently I put two vacancies on our jobs list, one for a Portuguese speaking CPO and another for a CPO with an engineering background. At the time of checking the Portuguese vacancy still had not been filled. Find your uniqueness and if you can't then get one!

Also, in my opinion, I believe it is better to specialize in one aspect of protection that to try and be a jack of all trades. If you develop a reputation at for example Witness Protection then you become a specialist which makes you much more employable. Again, I was a specialist in setting up security operations in Moscow, and so time and time again I was asked to set up security operations in Moscow. When I lived in Bosnia during the conflict I specialized in security in that particular war zone and time and time again I was asked to look after people going into that arena. Specializing works. Decide where you want to work and in what sector and then develop your career accordingly.

Someone recently wrote and told me that they apply for every single job they hear about, regardless of whether they have the correct qualifications or experience. My jaw dropped. Why I asked, and his reply was that if he walked down the street asking for 1 GBP someone would eventually give him it. This maybe true begging on the streets but sending his CV out to security HR departments who have neither the time nor inclination to read it is wasting his time and ultimately his reputation. A good friend of mine works as head of HR for one of the biggest security contractors in theUK and once told me that he gets up to 100 unsolicited CVs each and every week. Unsolicited means that they are not applying for any vacancies, they are just sending their CV out on spec. How does a person who is extremely busy filling current vacancies and running his department have the time to reply to CVs that he has not asked for? If you are going to send your CV out on spec, then don't expect a reply. The same applies to e-mails; I got an email yesterday that simply said “please look at my CV attached and get back to me with any jobs.” Undoubtedly these are the sorts of people who will moan that no one replies to their CV or email and that there isn't any work ! Only reply to jobs for which you are suitably qualified.

Believe me, some CP forums can be bitchy and backstabbing and a lot of people regularly post undignified, unprofessional and defamatory comments. (have you noticed though that those people are generally out of work or have never worked and blame everyone else for their situation?). Nevertheless forums can be great for networking and can be a valuable source of information. Jobs are also posted on the forums, but don't forget most forums have thousands of members, so one job will attract thousands of applicants!

Recently I had two very different emails which highlighted the difference in both successful pro-active networking and a negative belligerence towards networking. The first email was from someone wanting a free listing in the 2010 International Directory of Individual Protection Officers. This will be published early next year and I am going to send it to over 1000 contractors and employers worldwide. I am charging just 15 GBP for individuals to be listed, which pays for publication and distribution (free if you join Pilgrims Job Search). But he didn't want to pay – his remarks were that he has paid for his course, he is not going to spend anything else and I am just making money out of him. I asked him if he would work for free, and he said of course not!

The other email asked whether I was still running the British Bodyguard Association as he would like to join.(I am not so I forwarded him to the BBA website). His comments were; “Apart from as much free networking as I can do, I have also dedicated three hundred pounds a year to job search services, subscribing to security magazines and to joining security associations. Sure, some money will be wasted but some won't and hopefully what works will more than compensate for what doesn't. Do the maths ” he said to me “If I only get two days work a year then it has paid for itself.” What a great attitude! Ask yourself one question, who out of these two is more likely to succeed ?

Over the past twenty years I have amassed literally thousands of industry contacts and know of hundreds of contractor's websites and so I have decided to set up Pilgrim Information Systems to help people find work in security and close protection. This service is not for people with lots of time on their hands who can search the net week after week themselves, or for those who have lots of contacts and can go from job to job. Like you, I have rent to pay and don't work for free either and so if you join our Job Search Service there is a small yearly fee, equivalent to about 0.47 UK pence (approx. 0.70 US cents) a week, so it is not for those either who want everything for free! It takes a good day a week of my time to scourer the internet and get contacts and website links. Also by subscribing to my Job Search Service you can submit your CV to me and I will personally forward it on to any relevant position that comes directly into my office. Also, apart from regular jobs updates with website links and contact details, you will get a monthly Job Search Newsletter and a free listing in our 2010 International Directory of Individual Protection Officers. I cannot guarantee you a job but I can guarantee that I will look for them for you. I will, of course, continue to put vacancies regularly onto the Pilgrim Facebook group, but you have to go to get more information on the company and the position yourself.

Our website is now online at www.PilgrimInformation.com

All the best and stay safe out there.

Robin

Border Security 2010

3rd & 4th March 2010, Crowne Plaza St Peters, Rome, Italy

SMi’s Border Security 2010 returns next year to offer you an insight into land, air and maritime border security issues. Following on from sell out events in Istanbul in 2008, and Warsaw in 2009, Border security 2010 will once again bring together leading international experts from the security sector.

For 2010 we are placing a special focus on the use of border management technologies. Attend and hear special insights into different surveillance technologies being used to aid decision making and improve security at all levels. Discuss how far the human factor is being replaced and what your role will be in the 21st century environment.

Why should you attend this event?

- Hear a Keynote Address from Borderpol on the international security challenge
- Take part in an interactive panel discussion examining how we preserve the humanity of decision making in a technological age
- Explore the 'jungle' in Calais - lessons learned and future considerations
- Assess the latest developments for border management technologies
- Examine interagency and cross border cooperation

To find out more about this exceptional event please visit www.smi-online.co.uk/2010border6.asp

An Exciting New Event For The Risk Management And Business Continuity Industries

Risk & Resilience Expo will be the only event of its kind running in a major London Venue. Olympia is the UK's favourite venue; the one that visitors and exhibitors both know and love.

Not just another conference with the same old speakers; this is the first Risk & Resilience event where the exhibition is the lead. Coupled with great, free educational material, innovative features and an opportunity to share information and network; this launch event is destined to be the central event of the risk management, business continuity and crisis management industries across Europe.

Risk & Resilience Expo will be where business and public sector professionals across Europe address the challenges of today whilst preparing for those of tomorrow; at the only industry event of its kind in Europe.

Visitors will be able to engage and participate in the unrivalled free education programme; where influential global experts will stimulate debate and industry practitioners share case study experiences. They will also enjoy the vibrant atmosphere whilst meeting international buyers and key decision makers.

Visitor Profile
Risk & Resilience Expo will bring together a European audience of more than 3,000 key decision makers and buyers from a range of sectors.

Risk & Resilience Expo is the first event to focus on the board level decision makers and the implementation and specification teams.

New, Exciting Features
A number of exciting features are being planned for the event. These include:
Extensive free seminar programme - designed to bring the industry together to share their thoughts and experiences.

Innovations Village - see products that are totally new to the UK. This village will feature award winning new products from around the world. Visitors can go and see them and complete an evaluation form and can win a Nintendo WII for their involvement. The winning product will be announced after the show.

Consultants Clinic - this will be a relaxed zone where visitors can talk to industry experts in complete confidence. They will give you a 10 minute review of your current BC or RM strategy and possible ways to improve it. Pre-booking will be required closer to the show.

Personnel Arena - this area will include recruitment consultants and companies that specialise in the staff issues associated with BC & RM.

Book Now
Vocal, GemaTech, Adams Continuity and Business Continuity have already booked stands and a number of prime stand locations are reserved. In order to view a floor plan or secure a prime position please contact:

Loretta Sales, Event Director, email: lsales@risk-expo.com tel: 0208 870 8794

Mina Booth, Marketing & PR - mbooth@risk-expo.com tel: 0208 870 6730

Red Cell Delivers Maritime Counter Terrorist Exercise To 2012 Olympic Planning Team

Red Cell recently delivered a Gold Level, Maritime Counter Terrorist exercise to the Dorset Police 2012 Olympic Planning Team. The exercise was delivered in a seminar format to approximately 50 delegates, included the Chief Constable of Dorset Police and a number of senior Gold, Silver and Bronze level police officers and key stakeholders.

The exercise comprised of a combination of specialist maritime threat presentations and a realistic scenario-based table-top exercise, that formed the platform to explore a number of maritime and land-based security threats to a 2012 Olympic Games venue.

Red Cell delivered the exercise with speakers and specialists from a number of fields including Counter Terrorism, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (land and maritime) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). High quality video media, employing security cleared news reporters was used to deliver realistic news broadcast serials and GIS after-action software was used to assist the review of discussion points and lessons learnt throughout the exercise.

Testimonial:

"I was very impressed with the flexible approach that the Red Cell team took to assisting us with this important exercise. The quality of the inputs both face to face and the pre prepared news feeds was of a very high order. Impactive inputs ensured a high level of participation"

Chief Superintendent David Griffith,
Operational and Contingency Planning Division, Dorset Police

Red Cell are able to deliver bespoke exercises designed to test Business Continuity and Civil Contingency Plans. Red Cell also specialize in anti-piracy workshops for the commercial shipping sector.

If a high quality, thought-provoking test exercise is of interest to your company or organisation, why not talk to one of our specialist consultants at enquiries@redcellsecurity.co.uk.

See Red Cell's Aprodex Profile

Assured Risk Strategies: Workplace Security and Emergency Preparedness

The UK Home Office currently operates a 5 step, threat level warning system.

• Critical - an attack is expected imminently
• Severe - an attack is highly likely
• Substantial - an attack is a strong possibility
• Moderate - an attack is possible but not likely
• Low - an attack is unlikely

The current threat level is assessed as being SEVERE, which means the probability of another act of terrorism is HIGHLY LIKELY.

Due to the extreme violence, complexity and nature of such attacks, Assured Risk Strategies have developed a 1 day workplace specific awareness training package.

It is clear that current Health & Safety / Security measures are not capable of, or designed to, defeat or react to a terrorist attack.

The course is highly recommended for the following personnel:

• Security Personnel & Managers
• Facilities Managers
• Safety Managers & Personnel
• Corporate Occupational Health Advisors
• First Aid Trained Personnel
• Appointed Fire Marshalls
• Defence Industry Suppliers
• Governmental Departments
• Major Blue Chip Companies Based within London or Similar Location
• Large Stadia or Transportations Hubs e.g. Airports, Train Stations, London Underground, Football Stadiums & Concert halls
• Any other Facilities With Major Public Gathering / Presence e.g. Tourist Attractions & Large Shopping Centres
• Traditional Low Risk Security Companies

All essential elements from the protective phase to reactionary phase and response are encompassed within the training.

As the course will interface with your current security strategies and health and safety procedures, it is only offered on an “in-house” basis, thus ensuring that any information disclosed remains confidential and restricted to authorised personnel only.

Due to the sensitive nature of the course and requirement to protect our potential clients & restrict unauthorised / unwanted access to our Emergency Preparedness & Workplace Security strategies we do not feature the full course content.

In order to receive a full information pack, via email or hard copy, we ask that all interested parties initially email us with their formal commercial contact details, in order that we may verify and validate all of the contact details

See Assured Risk Strategies Profile

Assured Risk Strategies: Counter Kidnapping Strategies Course

When your personnel are deployed to some of the world’s most inhospitable, and potentially life threatening of environments, you have to consider that they may face unprecedented risk of kidnap or abduction.

To this end, Assured Risk Strategies have formulated a unique and threat-specific training solution that is geared towards the inherent dangers posed by operating in such unstable and dynamic working environments.

The course has been designed to encompass all of the key survival skills and protective steps to ensure that your personnel operate with complete confidence and competence.

Whilst there are a multitude of “conduct after capture” courses already within the current marketplace and security industry, it is patently clear that such training options are solely aimed at high risk security personnel, who often have prior military training or backgrounds.

For the first time, there is now a pre-deployment course specifically aimed at personnel who are primarily employed within the NGO, relief work, charitable sectors and media, and who are likely to deploy to high-risk regions. The course fulfils employer’s duty of care to key employees travelling to such environments and lowers company insurance premiums.

The course assumes no prior counter-kidnap awareness knowledge or skill levels and is delivered in an empathetic manner, whilst drawing upon the latest survival strategies, techniques and interactive training methodologies.

As the course will interface with your current security strategies and procedures, it is only offered on an “in-house” basis, thus ensuring that any information disclosed remains confidential and restricted to authorised personnel only.

Course Overview

With incidents of kidnapping now at its peak, it is imperative that all personnel who are required to operate within the high risk environments learn the key skills to enable them to:

• Be conversant with the risks and threats posed within their theatre or environment of operation
• Learn about the motivation & mentality behind their potential captors’ actions
• Adopt a proactive “hard target mentality” in order to reduce the incidence of abduction / kidnap
• Be prepared for the “reactive phase” in the event of abduction / capture
• Maximise their survivability, regardless of any perceived likely outcomes

With the much publicised beheading of several Western contractors within Iraq, there is no doubt that the thought of being captured in a higher risk environment gives chills to anybody who may have to deploy to such areas.

How many of these poor souls benefited from formal pre-deployment training or received a viable and realistic threat and risk assessment briefings?

The clear evidence of their horrific and torturous demise is sadly still available for all to see across the World Wide Web. Capture CAN be avoided and, in the worst case scenario, capture may not always end in the abductees’ demise.

By utilising the very latest training methodologies, your personnel will be able to deploy with complete confidence and avoid the most common of “default” survival mechanisms - denial!

There are numerous survival strategies that CAN and WILL enable your personnel to operate. There is clearly defined evidence to demonstrate that by simply adopting a high level of awareness your personnel can deploy and safely return home to their loved ones.

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, or the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change…”

- Charles Darwin

Course Content – 2 Days

• A Brief History of Kidnapping & Hostile Abduction
• Threat & Risk Assessment
• Personal Security & Awareness Procedures
• Team Security Measures
• Hostile Abduction
• Post Deployment debriefing & consultancy

Due to the sensitive nature of the course and requirement to protect our potential clients & restrict unauthorised / unwanted access to our counter kidnap and abduction strategies we do not feature the full course content.

In order to receive a full information pack, via email or hard copy, we ask that all interested parties initially email us with their formal commercial contact details, in order that we may verify and validate all of the contact details.

See Assured Risk Strategies Profile