INTERNATIONALTMNewsletter

SPRING 2013UNITED KINGDOM CHAPTER 208

Those of you who know merealise that I am not above abit of shameless self-promotion, so here goes!

The Chapter 208 Newsletterhas recently been awarded theASIS International Newsletterof the Year Award for 2012.This is divided into groups andwe won in Group 6, whichcontains the largest chapters.

As you will see above we havewon awards in 5 of the last 10years.

I started working on theNewsletter with CharlieThompson as editor beforetaking on the editorship inAugust 2006. I am assisted, aswas Charlie, by HeleneCarlsson and also by ourdashing Vice Chairman-about-town Graham Bassett

Regular Media Committeemeetings at Helene’s housewhere she would prepare us alunch of moose salami (she’sSwedish!) helped us restyleand revamp the Newsletter,which was already an award-

winning one. Grahamparticularly enjoyed the trips tocosmopolitan West Londonbefore making the trek back toWhitechapel.

We try to include a mix ofarticles — some recognisingthe achievements of members,particularly those achievingtheir CPP, PSP and PCIcertifications, others of moregeneral interest to the securityprofessional.

We attempt to publicise ASISevents and conferencesglobally and welcome casestudies and thought leadershippieces from members and nonmembers alike.

The Newsletter is not cheap toproduce, or to post, but we feelthat it is a key communication

tool which allows us tocommunicate with the Chapter208 membership which, in thisour 20th anniversary year, hasalmost reached 800. Hopefullythis will increase in 2013.

We have a busy year aheadwith three more UKconferences, our birthday partyand participation in manyindustry events, and whilst wewould like to see all themembers at some time duringthe year we will report back forthose who we don’t.

So to finish, many thanks toHelene and Graham; to MattJarvis at ProActiv for making itlook nice; to our regular andoccasional contributors; oursponsors and advertisers (wecould always do with a couplemore); our members and theAwards Committee for therecognition.

Thanks.

Mike Hurst, Editor and Chapter Vice Chairman

ASIS INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER OF THE YEAR 2012!

www.asis.org.ukSPRING 20132

CHAIRMAN’S NOTES

When I look at the makeup of ourmembership we have some incrediblytalented individuals and a relatively

untapped wealth of experience and knowledge.Unfortunately that unique knowledge andexperience is being ignored by trainingorganisations, professional bodies anduniversities specialising in security relateddiplomas and degrees. The UK Chapter hasalready demonstrated, with great success, thatthey are more than capable of fielding a projectteam to write the new Asset Protection manualwhich has been adopted by the US HomelandSecurity Department. It is my aim to driveforward the recognition of the combined talent ofour members by working with my academiccolleague Allison Wylde and a selected projectteam.Due to a number of personal issues, not leastbeing made redundant, I apologise to ourmembership as Chairman for taking my foot offthe gas but I can assure you it is well and trulyback on with a heavy leaded diving bootattached. It is all system go for the remainder ofmy tenure as your chairman. We have had anincredible Heroes’ Tribute raising money forPolice Charities thanks to the tenacity andnetworking approach applied by Andy WilliamsCPP and Crawford Chalmers CPP. I thank all of

you that attended andsupported this very worthwhileevent. This is followed, oncethe weather warms up a bit, byour chapter’s 20th birthdaybash which is an event not tobe missed. It will be a goldenopportunity to bring together members old andnew mixed with a few VIPs and invited membersof sister organisations.Thanks to Mike and Graham we will again have apresence at the various security industry relatedexhibitions and events being held this year andwe would welcome and be very grateful toanyone who can spare the time to work on ourstands to provide visitors with an insight intoASIS and encourage them to become members.ASIS UK is now a licensee for the Register ofChartered Security Professionals and I wouldencourage anyone who meets the criteria toapply through Jude initially. There will bechanges made to the process but that’s for thefuture. Finally, anyone who has any ideas thatthey believe would benefit the Chapter, I wouldencourage you to approach either myself, Mike Hor Graham we are open to ideas.

Mike Alexander, Chairman ASIS UK Chapter

Chairman’s notes

Mike Alexander

We were delighted to welcome someinternational guests at our Spring Seminar. 208Member John Murphy CPP PSP of State StreetBank, who hosted our AGM in 2012, invitedState Street Colleagues Joe Nelson (BostonChapter) and Finbarr McCarthy (IrelandChapter) to attend the meeting to see how wedo it over here.

We welcome international members, so ifyou have colleagues from other chaptersvisiting, please bring them along to a meeting.

5th Middle East Conference & Exhibition – February 16-18, 2014 Dubai, UAE

www.asis.org.uk SPRING 2013 3

DIARY

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Chairman’s Notes 2

Diary 3

Quarter of a Century of Service 3

ASIS Chapter Heroes Tribute 4

Venezuela and Latin America 6

Ministerial Visit for ASIS Supporter 7

ASIS Europe – Who’s Who 8

How good is your Security? 10

Social Media 11

Legal Update 12

Oops 13

ASIS Chapter Spring Meeting 14

ESSENTIALINFORMATIONJOINT EDITOR – Helene Carlsson (07802 864485).helene.carlsson@btinternet.com

JOINT EDITOR – Mike Hurst(0845 644 6893)mike@hja.co.uk

ADVERTISING – Graham Bassett (07961 123763);graham@gbruk.com

Chapter Executive Officer – Jude Awdry,ASIS UK Chapter 208, PO Box 208,Princes Risborough, HP27 0YR.Tel: 01494 488599; Fax: 01494 488590;info@asis.org.uk

MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES – Nigel Flower, CPP (01276 684709 - nigelflower@msn.com)

PUBLISHERS – The 208 Newsletter ispublished by Chapter 208 of ASISInternational.

FREQUENCY – The 208 Newsletter ispublished four times per year, Spring,Summer, Autumn & Winter – pleasecontact the editorial team for deadlines.

IN GENERAL – The 208 Newsletterwelcomes articles & photographs, but whileevery care is taken, cannot be heldresponsible for any loss or damage incurredwhile in transit or in our possession. Pleasesend all material to the editors. TheNewsletter may publish articles in which theviews expressed by the author(s) are notnecessarily those of ASIS.

ISSN N0 – 1350-4045

ASIS member Angus Watts hasjust notched up his 25th yearof membership.

In recognition, Gus received apersonal letter ofcongratulations, certificateand 25 year pin from ASISInternational Chief ExecutiveOfficer, Michael Stack (he will

also be added to the prestigious ASISQuarter Century Club).

Gus’s commitment, contribution and loyaltyto the security profession over the years iscommendable.

I’m sure I speak on behalf of the Chapter inoffering our congratulations and bestwishes for his next quarter century.

Quarter of a Century of Service Graham Bassett, Chapter 208, Vice Chairman

Diary of Events 2013April24th – 25th Counter Terror Expo, Olympia

May8th – 9th ASIS NYC Security Conference and

Expo13th – 16th IFSEC, Birmingham

June4th WCoSP Masters Instilation Lunch12th ASIS UK Chapter 208 Summer

Meeting and Birthday Party13th ASC Annual Awards Lunch19th Security Institute Annual

Conference and Dinner

July4th Security Institute Dixie Queen

September11th ASIS UK Chapter 208 Autumn

Meeting24th – 27th 59th ASIS International Seminar

and Exhibits, Chicago

October3rd ASC CONSEC, Solihull

November15th ASC Masterclass29th ASC House of Lords Dinner

December3rd – 5th ASIS Asis-Pac Conference, Macau,

China11th ASIS UK Chapter 208 Winter

Meeting and AGM

If you know of an event that you feel should feature in our calendar, please contact the editor, Mike Hurst. Mike@hja.co.uk

www.asis.org.ukSPRING 20134

ASIS UK HEROES’ TRIBUTE – 22 MARCH MIKE HURST

HEROES’ TRIBUTE

Event Organisers Andy Williams CPP and Crawford Chalmers CPP

Glen Smyth, Metropolitan and City Police Orphans’ Fund Gemma Pettman, Police Dependents’ Trust

This year we decided to support twoPolice charities, the Metropolitan andCity Police Orphans’ Fund and thePolice Dependants’ Trust.

Writing this the day after the eventwe don’t know exactly how much wehave raised, but it is well in excess ofthe £10,000 we raised at the last bigcharity event.

Firstly thanks to Crawford ChalmersCPP and Andy Williams CPP for theenormous amount of work they put

into organising this event. Thenthanks to Nomura for hosting us anddonating some great auction prizes.Global Aware International andUltimate Security Services sponsoredthe event, ensuring that all themonies raised from ticket sales, theauction and the raffle went straightto the charities.

We had some staggering prizesdonated and some equallystaggering amounts bid at the

auction, run by the shy, retiring AndyBignold. We raised £1,000 for theraffle as well.

Thank you to Lord Imbert,Commissioner Leppard andCommander Chance from CoLP andthe representatives from thecharities.

Lastly thanks to the 119 people whobooked to attend the event.

A great evening all round.

www.asis.org.uk SPRING 2013 5

HEROES’ TRIBUTE

Graham Bassett, CommissionerAdrian Leppard (CoLP), Mike Hurst,Commander Wayne Chance (CoLP)

www.asis.org.ukSPRING 20136

METAL THEFT

Event Organisers Andy WilliamsCPP and Without its chiefprotagonist, Chavismo willultimately wither away over time.However, several factors willdetermine the pace of de-Chavezation. Furthermore, acertain legacy will endure,specifically social sectorprograms. Although they may beamended, their continuity willlargely prevail. During the 2012presidential election, evenopposition candidate HenriqueCapriles acknowledged this.

Like other regional democraciessuch as Brazil, Venezuela candevelop a responsible socialsector within the context of anopen society without politicalrepression, intimidation andpolarization. De-politicizing theuse of petrodollars throughgreater accountability andtransparency can guaranteemore broad-based benefitsacross the socio-economicspectrum.

Should Chavista forces win aneventual post-Chavez snap-election the potential for a longergenerational transformationincreases. An initial show ofunity would prevail, particularlyduring any mourning period.Furthermore, attempts would bemade to implement more radicalmeasures. However, existingfactionalism would eventuallymanifest itself in varying forms.In the absence of its unifyingfigure, Chavismo will unravelover time.

The ideology based on the cult ofpersonality of a single individualhas largely run its course. It isveering toward bankruptcy, bothideologically and economically.Much is now based ontraditional raw power andpolitical patronage. It isstruggling to maintain itslargesse to supporters at home

and throughout Latin America. Inthe long-term, Chavismo issimply unsustainable. It not onlybites the hand that feedsVenezuela but devours itcompletely.

A victory by the opposition in apost-Chavez snap election couldjump-start transformation. A newforeign policy reflectingVenezuela's national interestswould take priority, not theideological convictions of oneperson. Many of Chavez'sdependants throughout Latin

America would experience arude awakening.

However, on the domestic front,a long and arduous road wouldmark change. It will not occurovernight. Barring a Chavistacoup or refusal to renouncepower, political opening wouldensue. Cessation of humanrights abuses, curtailingintimidation and repression, andrestoring complete pressfreedoms would trigger furtherchange.

However, just as Chavistas areprone to factionalism, theopposition is not immune. Overthe past year, Henrique Caprileshas led unprecedentedopposition unity. It remainsindispensable to de-Chavezationand accelerating its waning.

The greatest resistance would beposed by institutionalizedChavismo dominating theprincipal instruments of statepower. Attempting an all-outpurge through an Iraqi-style de-

Baathification process could risktriggering a radical reaction andfurther destabilizing a fragileenvironment. Overall, a morebalanced but firm approach isrequired according to institution.

At PDVSA, Venezuela's state oilcompany, swift change isrequired due to severeincompetence andmismanagement. PDVSAremains Venezuela's backbone.Productivity and efficiency mustbe restored through qualifiedapolitical technocrats. A results-oriented top-down approachmust be instilled. Economicreality and national survivaldemand it.

Venezuela's military enjoysprivileged status withconsiderable benefits. Apolitically neutral figure whocommands respect across themilitary spectrum is requiredas defence minister. Over time,reform is needed to restoregreater accountability tocivilian leaders. In particular,gradual transformation of theofficer corps will be required.They are stacked with die-hardChavista loyalists.

Venezuela, and Latin America, Without Chavez- by Marco Vicenzino

Marco Vicenzino (msv@globalsp.org)heads Global Strategy Project, a geo-political risk advisory firm

www.asis.org.uk SPRING 2013 7

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION

Certain institutions will requireenlargement and theappointment of new figures toimplement change. TheChavista-dominated judiciary willcertainly attempt to hamper de-Chavezation through legalstonewalling. Altering thecomposition of courts andincreasing the number ofqualified apolitical judicialappointees would guarantee

greater objectivity in the legalprocess.

Furthermore, inserting non-Chavista officials in state electionauthorities will secure a morelevel playing field in the electoralprocess. Also, appointing newheads to state media andremoving constraints on privatemedia would also accelerate theprocess of change.

National reconciliation willrequire an inclusive, give-and-take approach of inducing manythrough incentives.

Retribution must be avoidedexcept for the most seriousoffenders. Overall, generationaltransformation will eventuallyprevail but certain Chavistaelements will take longer towither away.

ASIS Member Chris Nyland wasdelighted that during a visit to Essex,Lord Stephen Green ofHurstpierpoint, Minister of State forTrade and Investment attendedHidden Technology's offices inRayleigh. Hidden Technology haveexhibited at ASIS UK eventspreviously.

Lord Green, accompanied by DeniseRossiter, CEO of Essex Chambers ofCommerce, Robert Leng, PresidentEssex Chambers of Commerce andLiz Basing, Regional Director - East ofEngland UKTI; were given apresentation and demonstration ofHiddentec tracking equipment to seeand hear for themselves how thecompany has achieved success inthe international marketplace.

Chris Nyland, International Marketingand Special Projects Director forHidden Technology, commented "Itwas a real honour and privilege tohost this visit by Lord Green, thispersonal visit to our company by aman of Lord Green's standing andimportance has demonstrated thatthe UK Government is really active inassisting UK businesses in theirexport activities"

After visiting HTSI's offices, LordGreen attended a private buffetlunch along with HTSI's directors,high-ranking members of EssexChambers of Commerce, andbusiness leaders from the local area.

Hidden Technology would once againlike to thank Essex Chambers ofCommerce for facilitating this eventand further supporting localbusiness.

Special thanks to David Burch,Directory of Policy at EssexChambers of Commerce, forattending and photographing theevent.

Ministerial Visit for ASIS Supporter

If any other ASIS members haveinteresting news stories aboutthemselves or their business we arehappy to try to include them in thisNewsletter.

Left to Right: Ziggy Matheous, Elton Smith, Lord Green, Chris Nyland

www.asis.org.ukSPRING 20138

ASIS EUROPE

ASIS Europe Who’s Who

SRVP group 9 Thomas Vonier CPP

RVP 9a Nicolas Le SauxARVP Netherlands Erik de Vries CPPARVP Ireland Donie O'CallaghanUnited Kingdom Chapter Chair Michael AlexanderUnited Kingdom Chapter Vice Chair Graham BassettUnited Kingdom Chapter Vice Chair Mike HurstUnited Kingdom Chapter Treasurer Craig PickardBenelux Chapter Chair Erik de Vries CPPIreland Chapter Chair John WalshFrance Chapter Chair Eric Davoine

RVP 9b Klas Nilsson, CPP, PSP, PCIARVP Finland Risto Haataja (Finland)ARVP Norway Roy Stranden, CPP (Norway)ARVP Denmark Tanya Spencer (Denmark)Norway Chapter Chair Thor Martin BjerkiSweden Chapter Chair Hans Wermdalen CPPFinland Chapter Chair Jere Peltonen  CPP, PSPDenmark Chapter Chair Klaus Hoej Tipsmark

RVP 9c Marko Sukilovic, CPPARVP Italy Alessandro Lega CPPSpain Chapter Chair Juan Munoz CPPItaly Chapter Chair Genseric CantournetCroatia Chapter Chair Bernard TopicSerbia Chapter Chair Perica Miletic

RVP 9d Cengiz Gumustus, CPPTurkey Chapter Chair Ismail UzelliAegean Chapter Chair Angelos AgrafiotisTel Aviv, Israel Chapter Chair Asaf AshkenaziRomania Chapter Chair Dan Belai, CPP, PSP

RVP 9e Hans-Roland LudwigARVP Germany Stefan BerlinAustria Chapter Chair Werner Preining CPPSwitzerland Chapter Chair Arnaud DucrotGermany Chapter Chair Oliver Fein

RVP 9f Radek Havlis, CPPARVP Russia Olesya AbramenkoCzech Republic Chapter Chair Matej BartaMoscow, Russia Chapter Chair Dmitry BudanovSlovakia Chapter Chair Stanislav JankovicPoland Chapter Chair Sebastian Blazkievicz

www.asis.org.uk

ASIS EUROPE

www.asis.org.uk

ASIS is a volunteer led organisationand whilst much of the work isdone by the Chapters there is alsoa structure of Volunteer Leadersoperating strategically acrossseveral areas.

It is probably just worth mentioningsome of the roles andabbreviations.

These include

Senior Regional Vice Presidents(SRVP)

Regional Vice Presidents (RVP) and

Assistant Regional Vice Presidents(ARVP)

There is also the EuropeanAdvisory Council (EAC).

This structure helps to manage theorganisation and represent the

views and interests of theEuropean Members.

The European ConferenceProgramme Committee, does whatit says on the tin and includes UKVice Chairmen Graham Bassettand Mike Hurst.

If you are travelling or doingbusiness in Europe pleaseremember that we are aninternational organisation and anemail or call to an appropriate ASISVolunteer Leader may answer aquestion, make an introduction ora referral.

We have deliberately not listedcontact details but these should allbe in the Members section of theASIS website www.asisonline.org.Otherwise please contact MikeHurst mike@hja.co.uk

EAC Members 2013SRVP, RVPs and ARVPs ex officioEAC Chairman Peter French CPPPCB Representative Per Lundkvist, CPP PSP PCIYoung Professionals Representative TBCASIS Foundation Representative Kaj MøllerChairman of the European Council Activities Subcommittee Werner Preining CPPCSO Roundtable Representative Thomas Tidiks, CPPStandards & Guidelines Representative TBCCertification Training Representative TBCLaw Enforcement Liaison Representative Klaus H. TipsmarkEuropean Intelligence Liaison Representative Dr. Christoph RojahnWomen in Security Representative TBCEU Liaison Subcommittee Chair Roger Warwick CPPConvergence & ESRM Subcommittee Chair Volker WagnerASIS 2013 Chairman Eduard Emde CPP

ASIS CouncilsOnly open to ASIS members, councils provide anopen platform to share best practices, collaborateon common issues, and discuss emerging industrytrends. By focusing on specialised security practiceareas, councils offer forums to contribute yourexpertise, resources to increase professionaleffectiveness and niche networks and programmingrelevant to your specific sector.

CouncilsAcademic and Training ProgramsBanking and Financial ServicesCommercial Real EstateCrime and Loss PreventionCrisis Management and Business ContinuityCultural PropertiesDefence and IntelligenceEconomic CrimeFire and Life SafetyFood Defence and Agriculture Security

Gaming and Wagering ProtectionGlobal Terrorism and Political InstabilityHealthcare SecurityHospitality, Entertainment and Tourism SecurityInformation Asset Protection and Pre-EmploymentScreeningInformation Technology SecurityInvestigationsLaw Enforcement LiaisonLeadership and Management PracticesMilitary LiaisonPetrochemical, Chemical, and Extractive IndustrySecurityPharmaceutical SecurityPhysical SecurityRetail Loss PreventionSchool Safety and SecuritySecurity Architecture and EngineeringSecurity ServicesSupply Chain and Transportation SecurityUtilities SecurityVisit www.asisonline.org for details

SPRING 2013 9

www.asis.org.ukSPRING 201310

ACCREDITATION

How good is your Security?Then why aren’t you accredited by the Police?

Martin Gill, Perpetuity Research,discusses how organisations canearn a police accreditation forhaving effective security.

‘Secured Environments’ is anaccreditation awarded by the policeto organisations that can provethey are adopting good securitypractice. It has been developed bythe Association of Chief PoliceOfficers Secured by Design (ACPOSbD) in conjunction with PerpetuityResearch. It is part of the ‘Securedby Design’ suite of crimeprevention initiatives managed byACPO SbD. Importantly SecuredEnvironments focuses onmanagement and processes ratherthan products, equipment andphysical building design.

Crime prevention measures oftenfail because they are implementedincorrectly, poorly managed or evenbecause they were not the correctresponse to a problem in the firstplace. Secured Environments hasbeen developed to help rectify that.The accreditation is based on sixkey principles of good securitymanagement that have beendeveloped based on a review ofbest practice from around theworld and honed by the experienceof crime prevention experts.Organisations that can show theyhave met the six principles forprotecting themselves againstcrime are accredited as a ‘SecuredEnvironment’.

So what are the principles?

The Secured Environmentsaccreditation is different to otherpolice awards, because it is notconditional on design issues, norspecific physical securityrequirements, rather it focuses onpeople, process and strategy. Afterall, as security professionals wellknow, without the support of staffat all levels supported by good

plans, processes and proceduresfor managing security, it willinevitably be compromised.

To meet the first principle anorganisation must demonstratethat its management team arecommitted to creating a SecureEnvironment. Not only does thereneed to be evidence ofcommitment from the seniorleadership team, but members ofstaff also need to believe that theorganisation is committed.

The second and third principlesrequire the organisation to showthat they understand its crimerisks; analysis of data on incidentsplays one part of this. Based on agood understanding of the problemorganisations must have a plan inplace to mitigate risks. Clearly theresponse needs to be appropriateand proportionate. In order todemonstrate this, managers willneed to be able to describe thethreats posed to their organisationand explain how these risks arerecorded, monitored and analysed.They also need to be able toexplain why specific securitymeasures are in place within theirorganisation and how theseaddress the problems theyidentified.

The management andimplementation of securitymeasures are the focus of thefourth and fifth principles.Organisations must demonstratethat they have a security plan inplace with clear objectives. Theyalso need to show that they haveadopted appropriate processes toensure that crime preventionmeasures are implementedeffectively. In addition allemployees need to be aware oftheir roles and responsibilities withregards to security. In many of theevaluations of crime preventionthat we at Perpetuity carry out,

poor implementation is often thereason for failure.

And finally, but by no means anyless important, an organisationmust be able to explain how theirsecurity measures are monitoredand evaluated and provideexamples of how these findings arefed back into their security systemsand processes.

Progress

Since its inception in 2007universities, schools, and morerecently a hospital have earned theaccreditation, and generated a lotof publicity locally for having goodsecurity in place. Those that havetaken part have identified a rangeof benefits including:

• useful feedback on ways toimprove existing securitymanagement processes,

• being able to demonstrate tostaff and clients that security istaken seriously, one universitywanted to reassure parents thatstudent safety was takenseriously justifying securityinvestment

Furthermore, in the current climatewhere competition is tough, manyhave also used it as a marketingtool and a point of difference.Perhaps the most positive featureof the accreditation is that two ofthe first organisations accreditedhave both sought, and gained,reaccreditation.

Secured Environments - operatedand managed by Perpetuity onbehalf of ACPO SbD – is a versatilescheme. Indeed any type oforganisation – large or small - canregister to become a SecuredEnvironment including hospitals,hotels, schools, universities,businesses, shopping centres,financial institutions and night-timeeconomy establishments.

www.asis.org.uk SPRING 2013 11

SOCIAL MEDIA

Social Media – A Helicopter ViewAlan Walker

Wow! How quick was that! Thetragic helicopter accident inLondon recently highlighted onceagain just how quickly SocialMedia can broadcast news ofincidents around the globe.

As luck would have it I was talkingto a guy in Australia when theincident occurred and he wasseeing the Twitter feeds comingthrough within a few minutes.Initially, even the BCC News sitewas simply publishing the socialmedia content when the incidentoccurred because they were stillwaiting to get their reporters onthe scene.

People and the devices in theirhands are now much moreefficient than ever before.Witnesses all seem to be pseudojournalists clamouring to be firstwith the news or to provide themost dramatic footage. It’s quick,it’s simple, it’s great, it’s a curse!

Conventional business continuityand crisis management planningoften refers to convening the crisismanagement team, assessing thesituation and agreeing the nextsteps. Meanwhile the social medianewsfeeds are racing away overthe horizon and have left youbehind.

The challenge is that manydecision makers withinorganisations grew up in a worldin which social media didn’t exist.

It does now! If you look at thetypical profile of a Facebook,Twitter, Kik or Flickr user they areusually younger and more technosavvy than us old cronies. ‘Dad,it’s Twitter – you wouldn’tunderstand it!’

So there are generations nowstarting to mature who arecompletely at ease with sharinginformation and who have ahunger for instant gratificationwhen it comes to information ornews. Plus they have the weaponsto do it! Our organisations need toget a grip. Get up to speed.

This is no longer a topic that canbe ignored. Where is yourorganisation placed on thissubject? Do you have any kind ofpolicy? Do you have resources,skill sets, protocols and strategiesto be able to exploit and orrespond as required?

One of my clients talked to me acouple of years ago aboutlaunching a Twitter account. Myfirst questions to them were ‘whatdo you want to do with it? Whatare your objectives?’ Theyundertook a piece of work to learnand investigate how best to exploitit and to learn about managingthe risks. They went about it in aconstructive way rather than justrushing in headlong simply tofollow the trend, the contagion ifyou will.

The benefits can be tremendousand we shouldn’t overlook them,rather seek to exploit them.Equally there can be hazards forwhich organisations need toprepare. Many companies havefallen foul of the latter includingsome big names such as BP andApple. There are some skills to belearned.

Social Media is a fascinating topicand definitely one that needs tobe factored into your BusinessContinuity planning now.

‘Secured Environments is a realheavyweight in terms of a securityworld, many others have not got theacademic rigour and background.’Head of Estates, The University ofBristol

What do you need to do?

If you are interested, then you needto register, and this will provide youwith all the information you need.Within one year you will need to

undertake the accreditation.

The best thing about the process isthat it will ensure you are doing thebasics well, it does not require youto invest in more security, this isabout showing that you understandthe problems you face and have inplace the right mechanisms forresponding.

For more details about SecuredEnvironments and how you can get

involved with the initiative please

see the police webpage

www.securedenvironments.com or

contact Perpetuity (+44 (0) 116 222

5566;

securedenvironments@perpetuitygro

up.com).

Martin Gill is Director

of Perpetuity Research;

m.gill@perpetuitygroup.com

Alan is an independent BusinessContinuity Consultant who hashelped several organisationsdevelop and improve their BusinessContinuity plans and capabilities.

awcontinuity@btinternet.com www.awcontinuity.co.uk

www.asis.org.ukSPRING 201312

LEGAL UPDATE

Most organisations regularly usecommercial contracts. They playa fundamental role in mostindustries, including the securityindustry. However, not so manypeople understand how complexcontracts can be, or the fact that,if properly drafted, they can forman invaluable asset to abusiness. They could act asprotection for you in case thingsgo wrong.

The first thing to note is thatcontracts can be createdrelatively easily, as they can beeither written or verbal.Commercial contracts tend to bewritten but there is no prescribedform for most commercialcontracts. It is quite easy,therefore, to create a contractunintentionally, such as whereone party starts work, before thecontract is concluded, or wherethe parties have not said thatnegotiations are “subject tocontract”. A number of recentcases also make it clear that avalid contract can even arisewhere the parties have simplyexchanged emails.

In the security industry, contractsare usually made with clients forwhom security services are beingprovided. However, organisationsmight also have contracts withsuppliers of uniforms, vehicles orother equipment. Regardless ofthe type of contract, though, anycommercial contract needs toinclude precise terms so theparties understand what rightsand obligations they have. Themore detailed the contract, theless room for misunderstandingsand disputes.

The contract should contain anumber of key terms andconditions. Provisions relating totime of payment and remediesfor non-payment are crucial to

anyone providing a service to aclient. You need to ensureprompt payment and make sureyou can take action quickly andeffectively if payment is withheld.So, for example, does thecontract allow for payment withina reasonable time period, say 14or 28 days? And how soon afterthat can you take action? Canyou claim interest on latepayments or do you have to relyon the statutory provisionsrelating to interest?

Equally important, from yourviewpoint, are service levels andthe circumstances when thecontract can be terminated fornon-performance. Are you giventhe opportunity to remedy abreach or is terminationautomatic? Can the clientdemand termination of one ormore individuals or does abreach mean the entireagreement will terminate? Ofcourse, commercially, the longerthe notice period, the better for acontractor, so this should bechecked from the outset.

Clients and suppliers will oftenhave their own terms andconditions and it may be difficultto negotiate more favourableterms. It is preferable to use yourown standard terms of tradingwherever possible, so you cannegotiate from a position ofstrength. But many organisationschoose not to, believing that theclient will always insist on usingtheir own contracts. However,regardless of who has preparedthe contract, it is important toknow where the possible risks lie,since any contract shouldminimise the risks that you face.Standard contracts from clientsand suppliers will probablycontain service levels anddetailed warranties and penalties

for non-performance. These couldhave an impact on you financiallyand might even affect yourdecision when tendering orpricing up the job.

The importance of a goodcontract usually only becomesevident when something hasgone wrong or when the contractis being terminated. If you haveagreed to onerous terms andconditions, a client or suppliermight hold you to those termsonce the relationship has soured.At that point though, it’s usuallyfar too late to negotiate newterms and far too late to protectyourself contractually.

Some ways of protecting yourselfis making sure you take carewhen using emails as you canform a contract by exchangingemails. Use the words “subject tocontract” if you are onlynegotiating and haven’t finalisedthe deal. And always use writtencontracts, wherever possible.

After all, as any lawyer will tellyou – a verbal contract isn’tworth the paper it’s printed on.

Legal Update Contracting in the security industry

Claudia Gerrard: LegalConsultant, Excello Law.

cgerrard@excellolaw.co.uk

Claudia is an ASIS member and isoffering fellow members the firsthalf hour’s consultation free and,thereafter, a reduced hourly charge.

www.asis.org.uk SPRING 2013 13

OOPS

OOPSMan finds knife in back 3years after stabbing

A Canadian man was justscratching what he thoughtwas an old itch this weekwhen it turned out to be aknife blade that had beenburied in his back for almostthree years.

Billy McNeely said this week itall goes back to an April,2010, birthday party inMcNeely's home town of FortGood Hope, NorthwestTerritories. McNeely got into afight over an arm-wrestlingcontest and was stabbed fivetimes. A doctor stitched himup back then and never tookX-Rays.

Ever since, McNeely would setoff metal detector and he'shad a lump in his back wherethe knife went in. It neverstopped nagging him and grewmore painful this week.

Doctors dug out a blademeasuring about 2.7 inches(7 centimetres).

Bart Simpson appearsbefore judge named Mr Burns

A man called Bart Simpsonhas appeared before a judgecalled Mr Burns.

Company Director BartonSimpson, 56, deniespossessing a prohibitedfirearm at Birmingham airporton May 31 last year.

This week Simpson, ofEccleshall, Staffordshire,stood trial in front of MrRecorder Burns at WarwickCrown Court.

A court worker said: “It’s abizarre coincidence that BartSimpson is actually on trial infront of Mr Burns but it’llproceed as any other criminalcase would.

“There were some eyebrowsraised when the court list waspublished.”

Excuse of the year

A German lorry driverescaped a rap for drivingwhile using a mobile phone -after claiming he was using itas an ear warmer.A court inHamm accepted WalterKlein's claims that he hadbeen using the phone whichwas warm after beingrecharged to warm his ears.Itmeans he had not broken thelaw which says drivers canonly make phone calls with ahands free set.Klein, 43, toldthe court: "I had an earacheand it was being made worsebecause the cab had notheated up yet - it takes awhile on a big rig."So Igrabbed the phone that hadbeen on charge and put it tomy ear, and that was when Iwas stopped by police."Thecourt accepted his claim afterhe produced an itemisedtelephone bill proving he hadnot been using the phone atthe time he was stopped.

Tim Hodges CPP PSP receiving hisChapter Veteran Certificate fromMike Alexander

Javed Khan, CEO Victim Support

Professor Martin Gill in full flow.

www.asis.org.uk14

SPRING SEMINAR

SPRING 2013

ASIS Spring Seminar, 13 March

www.asis.org.uk SPRING 2013 15

SPRING SEMINAR

Henry Millard from Kings College,London

Phil Hunter from Counter Terror Expo

ASIS International 59th Annual Seminar and ExhibitsSeptember 24-27McCormick Place Place, Chicago, IL