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Security Features - January
February 2008
OCS’
Karolina Boch scoops ISIA ‘Security Officer of the Year
2007’
Karolina Boch of OCS Security is Security Officer of the Year
2007. This prestigious title has been awarded to her by the ISIA
(Irish Security Industry Association).
The award recognises exceptional services within the security
industry to the customer or the public and Karolina was selected
from 1500 prospective candidates. Karolina, who is from Poland,
won because ‘she has excelled in every way in supporting
her employers and clients and has developed her own career in
a very short timeframe’.
Karolina has been security supervisor with the OCS Security team
at Symantec’s European headquarters in Blanchardstown for
the past two years. Symantec is a world leader in internet security
and as such demands the highest level of on-site security across
all disciplines, including access control and all elements of
emergency response.
Lorraine Clements, managing director of OCS Security Ireland said,
“Karolina has performed at the highest level working in
a blue chip company where she has become an invaluable member
of staff. She has earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues,
not only at OCS but also at Symantec.”
Chris Cracknell, OCS chief executive commented, “I am delighted
to see this recognition of Karolina’s achievements. Our
business success is due in no small part to the calibre and professionalism
of our people. Karolina deserves our congratulations and thanks.”
OCS Security now has around 3,500 security guards operating across
the UK via eighteen nationwide operational centres and gained
Approved Contractor Status in March this year.
OCS is a privately owned business, which began trading more than
a hundred years ago. It employs 61,000 people worldwide and provides
a comprehensive portfolio of services from engineering and hygiene
services to cleaning, catering, security, pest control and horticulture.
Its clients include major public and private corporations in sectors
ranging from healthcare to finance and banking.
Borer’s
New Intelligent Smart Card Access Control Reader Punches Above
its Weight
Compact, light-weight, tamper-proof unit combines Mifare Card
Reader, Control Panel and Wall Box all in one, needing no mains
power supply
Weighing in at 90g, Borer’s Intelligent Smart Card Reader
is a complete door card access control solution providing full
online and offline card validation with decision making capabilities
at the point of swipe. This removes the need for a separate control
panel, wall box and additional mains power supply at every door
facilitating speedy, cost-effective installation procedures.
The Intelligent Smart Card Reader’s secure internal database
can hold a massive 120,000 individual user profiles within a secure
and tamper proof housing. This enables full off-line card only,
or card and PIN validation at the door, using Mifare or Desfire
RF (Radio Frequency) identity cards, tags and key fobs.
The Intelligent Mifare Card Reader connects to the Borer FUSION
access control database via an Ethernet Bridge and the Local Area
Network (LAN), eliminating the need for extensive additional cabling.
What’s more, Borer’s unique Go Green ‘PowerWise’
technology enables everything at the door to be powered over a
Single Cat5 Network Cable – delivering enough energy to
power two card readers (IN and OUT) and a magnetic lock or heavy
duty strike – and thus eliminating the need for additional
wiring.
For full information on the Borer product range visit the web
site at www.borer.co.uk or call 0845 155 9623.
Access
Control System Launched
Abloy UK has launched Smartair electronic locks, an off-line access
control system ideally suited to smaller sites, initially to a
hand-picked selection of the country’s top installers.
Smartair electronic locks are a robust and cost-effective access
control option particularly suited to smaller office buildings.
RFID contactless chip technology in the reader and card, means
this system is extremely durable and requires minimal maintenance.
Smartair has good vandal-resistant properties because all the
control elements, except for the reader, are located on the inner
side of the door. Another advantage of the Smartair system is
that it can be integrated with existing systems using Mifare technology.
Contemporary design stainless steel construction and compatibility
with a range of handles and mortice locks makes Smartair an extremely
versatile, offline access control option which can be fitted to
internal or external doors.
Supplied in a range of finishes, Smartair is also available with
an electronic privacy function – which can be activated
from the inside and will only allow access by specifically authorised
cards.
Ensure
Your Signature is Secure
Identity theft and fraud costs the UK economy £1.7 billion
each year*. Shredding unneeded documents containing personal information
is the standard advice we’ve all heard, but there are many
documents which simply cannot be destroyed including contracts,
deeds and legal certificates. uni-ball, the leading brand in the
UK rollerball market, introduces the pen that can keep your signature
secure and help prevent fraud.
The Signo 207 uses pigment ink which, unlike the dyestuff inks
other manufacturers employ, has superior water and chemical resistance.
Once it soaks into the paper, the ink won’t smear, smudge
or get washed away. It is also light resistant and won’t
fade even under prolonged exposure to light. So a signature written
with a Signo 207 stays on the page forever.
Professionals in all sectors from finance to healthcare to property
will benefit from the protection offered by the Signo 207, offering
safety and security to both your business and your customers.
The Signo 207 is a stylish and professional pen, available in
a variety of colours with a high-quality finish, metal clip and
ergonomically-designed rubber grip to eliminate the usual writing
fatigue.
*Home Office Identity Fraud Steering Committee (Cabinet Office
Study)
IFSEC
2008 Launches Counter Terror Area
With 62%* of British people believing they are under greater threat
of violent attack than at any time since the Second World War,
counter terror measures have never been higher on the business
agenda. With this in mind, the world’s largest annual security
event, IFSEC will feature a new counter terror area when it takes
place in May.
Reflecting the need for today's businesses to have effective counter
measures against the ever present terror threat, this new feature
will enable visitors to meet and network with policy makers and
product innovators who provide solutions for protecting the world's
borders, infrastructures and people. Counter Terror at IFSEC will
be the perfect forum for visitors from government agencies, emergency
services, customs and excise office, immigration services, police
forces and law enforcement services to meet suppliers and learn
about new solutions as well as participate in free seminars, a
high-level conference and live demonstrations.
Highlights will include a live demonstration area where the latest
technologies will be put to the test in real-life scenarios, including
conflict management, drug and bomb detections, and concealed weapons.
There will also be a packed seminar and conference programme dedicated
to the issues of border, port and transportation security, surveillance
and protection, major incident management and response, among
others.
Exhibitors in the area will include companies specialising in
access control, biometrics, baggage screening, bomb detection,
covert surveillance, crisis management, emergency response equipment,
location tracking systems and RFID systems. Filled with companies
showcasing dynamic new security solutions and technological innovations,
exhibiting companies already include counter terrorism specialists
Audax, Concept Smoke Screen, EJ Brooks UK, Frontier Pitts, Rapiscan,
SAPA Building Systems, Scanna MSC, Security VIP Global Technology
Group, Thales, and Visor Technologies.
Sally Osmond, marketing executive at Frontier Pitts, says, “In
light of the government’s recent speech on terror, we believe
the new Counter Terror area at IFSEC 2008 will support an invaluable
part of today’s security requirements and be a good opportunity
for us to showcase our high security PAS 68 Anti Terra Range footage.”
James Blue, event director of IFSEC comments: “The ongoing
terror threat means national security and counter terrorism issues
are a top priority for businesses today. IFSEC is the world’s
largest security event, so counter terror is a natural avenue
for the event to venture into. The conference programme will offer
the perfect forum for those focused on combating international
terrorism and will feature eminent keynotes and leading experts
addressing the most topical and strategic subjects.”
IFSEC 2008 adjoins The Facilities Show and Safety & Health
Expo at the NEC, Birmingham, taking place from 12/13-15 May 2008.
For more information on the event and to register for free entry,
please visit www.ifsec.co.uk/counterterror. Companies interested
in exhibiting at the 2008 event should contact Richard Taylor,
on rtaylor@cmpi.biz or +44 (0) 161 874 3813.
Reliance
to deliver national security services for BT and Monteray
Reliance Security Services Ltd is delighted to announce that from
December 1st 2007 a new agreement between BT and Monteray Limited
has been put in place that will see the delivery of manned guarding
and reception services integrated nationally through Monteray’s
sister organisation, Reliance Security Services. This will be
the largest security contract awarded to Reliance Security Services
in its history.
Reliance is contracted with Monteray to manage these services
as a specialist provider-partner and the new agreement will cover
England, Wales and Scotland.
Prior to this agreement, Monteray’s partners (Carillion
Services, Haden Building Management, Reliance and MITIE) delivered
these services on a regional basis.
Bert van Middelkoop, Head of Physical Security and Continuity
for BT said: “This is a significant step forward in the
development of an integrated security service for BT and I am
pleased that this work with our partner, Monteray, has been brought
to a successful conclusion.”
Peter Portlock, Managing Director of Monteray Limited said: “This
is a strong endorsement of the strength of our relationship with
BT. It demonstrates the flexibility and the advantages of the
Monteray facilities management model, and allows us to capitalise
on the expertise of our partner-companies to the benefit of both
Monteray and BT alike.”
Michael Carré, Managing Director of Reliance Security Services
added: “This initiative further develops our relationship
with Monteray and demonstrates the great depth of a successful
partnership that brings the widest range of specialist support
service capabilities to our customer.”
Security
Institute and International Institute of Security Merge
A new force in the professionalisation of security in the UK emerges
as a result of a decision taken by members of the Security Institute
and The International Institute of Security. From 1 January 2008,
the two organisations merge under the title of The Security Institute,
thus bringing together the membership and infrastructure of these
two pre-eminent security organisations.
The merger is marked by the launch of a number of new initiatives,
including the establishment of an Academic Board to work towards
the further incorporation of academic standards into the national
professional security life. At the same time, the synergies that
result from the merger will give a powerful boost to the Security
Institute's drive towards a petition for chartered status, and
the creation of a chartered designation for security professionals.
Commenting on the merger, Security Institute Chairman Bill Wyllie
said: "This is an historic and exciting development in the
drive for professional standards and recognition in the business
of security. The Security Institute will continue to work with
government, national agencies, the business sector, other professional
organisations and people across society, in order to deliver the
highest standards of professional competence and integrity."
Spectra
launches SHADE
A new rapid deployment voice and data infrastructure solution
Spectra, suppliers of telecommunication solutions, has announced
the immediate availability of SHADE, a new self-contained rapid
deployment network infrastructure. SHADE (Spectra Hostile Area
Deployable Environment), provides an effective and unique solution
to restore voice and data communications where high intensity
conflicts, natural disasters, pandemics or terrorist attacks may
have destroyed existing networks.
Delivered as a fully managed service, SHADE provides a bespoke
mobile infrastructure comprising all necessary hardware and software.
Using fully trained specialist teams with extensive military experience,
Spectra can deliver rapid assistance for disaster recovery relief
efforts or tactical and operational deployments in challenging
or extreme conditions.
SHADE uses satellite communications that link with Spectra’s
UK-based operations centre to restore communications with the
outside world via the PSTN, Internet and VPNs. Secure communications
are assured using AES or any other government approved encryption
technology.
SHADE is available in a wide range of portable, tactical configurations
that can be rapidly deployed anywhere in the world at short notice.
It is fully scalable and uses standard off the shelf technology
including Cisco routers and VOIP Phones. Computing power is provided
using Dell servers and ruggedised laptops with proven levels of
performance and reliability. Everything is built into air-checkable
flight cases that meet the new 23 kilo standard and are transportable
in aircraft holds without requiring special cargo handling.
In commercial environments, SHADE supplements existing business
continuity planning measures enabling the rapid restoration voice
and data communications in the event of an unexpected disaster.
Using a permanent or temporary facility close to where the organisation
is based, satellite-based links can be deployed within 12 hours
to minimise the damaging effects that such a disruption could
have on the business.
The Spectra Group of companies is based in Herefordshire, UK and
provides a full range of telecommunication services for a wide
range of defence and security clients worldwide. The company has
established an enviable reputation for delivering a high quality,
professional service often in hazardous and hostile environments.
For further information please visit www.spectra-group.com
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