21 minute read
2021 AUSTRALIAN SECURITY INDUSTRY AWARDS WINNERS
Companies and individuals in the Australian security industry were recognised for their dedication, excellence and innovation on a national and international stage, at the 2021 Virtual Security Awards held 27 October.
Organised by ASIAL, the 25th Australian Security Industry Awards for Excellence was held in conjunction with the 6th Outstanding Security Performance Awards (the OSPAs) and the 10th Australian Security Medals Awards.
ASIAL WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SUPPORT OF
Lead Sponsor: Entertainment Sponsor:
CURITYAWARDS
Individual Achievement Protective Services Integrated Security Solution over $100,000
Gender Diversity Electronic Security Installation over $100,000
2021
Winner: Najibullah Mahdawi - Access Group Solutions ustralian Najib is part of the security team at the Dandenong Plaza. His measured response to life threatening Security situations at the Plaza has defused many situations. He also runs a community program for Afghani youth in the area.This award was sponsored by ndustry Awards
Winner: Insurance Australia Group IAG’s security division (Cyber and Protective Services) aims to revolutionise the security industry through real, lasting, cultural change. Flexibility and professional development support and inspire women in the workplace.
Winner: Royal Eagle Security Services Royal Eagle Security Services have actively created a gender diverse team as a long-term initiative. Employing women in leadership roles and technical roles. The company is committed to the recruitment and training of a diverse workplace.
Winner: Northern Protective Services Based in the Kununurra WA, NPS work closely with the indigenous community offering traineeship programs. One of their successful candidates has now gone on to be the Young Indigenous Ambassador for the Kimberley Region.
This award was sponsored by Winners will be announced virtually
October 2021 at 3pm AEDT
Register at asial.com.au/Awards21
Winner: Saab Australia - Clarence Correctional Centre Saab Australia delivered a state-ofthe-art security management system for a 1700 bed correctional centre in a remote location. Implementing a high degree of integration across all subsystems. One of the most complex undertakings in the history of Australia’s corrections sector. This award was sponsored by This award was sponsored by Winner: Omnivision - Australian Government National Project Omnivision successfully completed a major integrated security upgrade across 9 sites with centralised control and one high security access card. 1 2 0 2 1 2 0 2 0 Winner: Securitas - Canberra COVID-19 Temporary Hospital The Canberra COVID-19 Temporary Hospital facility required a robust and detailed security setup not only for security but for the site to create flow for staff, patients and logistics. Securitas delivered the fast-paced project in 13 days by working on a 24/7 roster.
Indigenous Employment
This award was sponsored by
AWARD CATEGORY SPONSORS
ORGANISED BY Winner: MCM Electronics - NEVERalone The NEVERalone is a 4G LTE GSM/ GPS personal emergency location and SOS alarm system. It can be used for Lone workers, Domestic violence and aged care reporting activations to monitoring centres.
This award was sponsored by MEDIA PARTNERS
Continues over page >
SECURITY FEATURE Winner: Bosch - FLEXIDOME multi 7000i Each camera has 4 independent image sensors connected by one IP address. In addition, the built-in artificial intelligence takes data usage to a whole new level. These cameras are ideal for wide area coverage. This award was Product of the Year - CCTV Camera 1 1 0 ORGANISED BY 1 MEDIA PARTNERS 0 2 1 0 2 0 #SECURITYAWARDS 1 1 0 ORGANISED BY MEDIA PARTNERS sponsored by When you need security insurance, contact an expert As the endorsed insurance broker to ASIAL since 2003, Aon understands your security business. Contact our dedicated team today for an obligation free alternative: Angelo Gannis 02 9253 8350 angelo.gannis@aon.com aon.com.au/security
© 2016 Aon Risk Services Australia Limited ABN 17 000 434 720 AFSL No. 241141 General Advice Warning The information contained in this advert is general in nature and should not be relied on as advice (personal or otherwise) because your personal needs, objectives and financial situation have not been considered. So before deciding whether a particular product is right for you, please consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement or contact us to speak to an adviser. COM0350 1217 Product of the Year - Physical Security
This award was sponsored by Winner: EZI Security Systems - City Protector M40 & M50 The EZI Systems extreme performance hostile vehicle barriers can be installed in a very shallow mount and offer fast removal if access is required. Arresting a 7200kg truck impact at 64kph in under 1 metre.
Product of the Year - CCTV IP System/Solution2021 Security Equipment Manufacturer / Distributor
ORGANISED BY
This award was sponsored by
2021 OUTSTANDING SECURITY
PERFORMANCE AWARDS (OSPAS)
Winner: Michael Joyce - Certis Winner: Tony Keane - Australian Managing the Services Australia contract across 157 sites during the pandemic has been a challenge that Michael not only delivered on but identified key areas of improvement. 1Football League Tony is the Head of AFL Integrity and Security, during the Pandemic Tony’s role has been critical to the survival of the AFL business. Without his direction the AFL may never have completed the 2020 season. This award was sponsored by
This award was sponsored by This award was sponsored by Outstanding Contract Security Manager/Director Outstanding In-House security Manager/Director 2 0 2 1 2 0 2 0 Australian Security Industry Awards Winners will be announced virtually 27 October 2021 at 3pm AEDT Winner: Permaconn - Video Verification Service The Permaconn video verification service allows monitoring centre operators to quickly view relevant real time video events within their automation software when triggered by an alarm panel at the customers premises.
Winner: Gallagher – Powerlink QLD Since installing the Gallagher monitored pulse fence system and command centre across 32 utility sites, Gallagher’s ongoing professional support has ensured the success of the project.
Register at asial.com.au/Awards21
#SecurityAwards Outstanding Female Security Professional Outstanding Security Consultant
ORGANISED BY
This award was sponsored by Winner: Eliza Thorn - Intelligent Risks Eliza has been an integral member of the IR team that coordinated the urgent evacuation of over 100 at risk Afghanis from Kabul during the recent crisis following LEAD SPONSOR AWARD CATEGORY SPONSORSthe Taliban defeat of the elected Government. This award was sponsored by Winner: Joe Saunders - Risk2Solution Joe is the founder and National Practice lead for Violence Protection, part of the R2S group. He created the world’s first ISO 31000 aligned model for the management and prevention of workplace violence.
MEDIA PARTNERS
Outstanding Guarding Company
This award was sponsored by Winner: Wilson Security From management to frontline, Wilson Security has built a culture of exceptional customer service, underpinned by an unwavering focus to protect the client, people and property. Outstanding Security Team
This award was sponsored by Winner: Sydney Local Health District Security Team The Sydney Local Health District Security team surged to cover the Homebush mass vaccination and testing clinics and hotel quarantine. All hospitals in the district needed to ramp up security numbers and maintain compliance to high standards which was no mean feat.
Outstanding Security Partnership
This award was sponsored by Winner: MSS Security / Tennis Australia The global pandemic meant that delivering the security overlay for the 2021 Australian Open was the greatest challenge MSS Security has faced in 30 years of partnering at major sports events in Victoria. Winner: Technical Advanced Training Technical Advanced Training equips students with sound knowledge and exceptional training. The Education Departments performance indicator survey shows that TAT is a consistently high scorer for an RTO.
Outstanding Security Training Initiative
This award was sponsored by
2021 AUSTRALIAN SECURITY MEDALS FOUNDATION
ASMF Australian Security Medal
Winner: Robert Delaney Rob spent many years in the intelligence community. Rob’s leadership, drive and initiative achieved a long-standing collaborative relationship between the commonwealth and state police forces and an ongoing partnership with Australia’s largest joint counter terrorism team. Rob’s activity has featured service and initiative above and beyond the nominal requirements of duty.
ST JOHN SAVE A LIFE AWARDS
ASMF Australian Security Medal of Valour
Winner: Clifford Hagart Clifford is Security Manager at South Headland Square Shopping Centre in Western Australia. On Friday 1st of May 2020 a man went on a stabbing frenzy in and around the centre. Clifford bravely ran and confronted the man as he attacked a policewoman with a knife preventing that stabbing attack as he brought the aggressor down. Mr Hagart displayed extraordinary bravery, professionalism, and empathy during the violence and chaos.
Andrew Saxby Munir Mohammedseeid Sean Mortimer Rob Smits Ali Raza Hamid Maafa Julie Tsinaris Daniel MacRae Sekone Loane Assetlink SECUREcorp SECUREcorp SECUREcorp SECUREcorp SECUREcorp Certis Security Australia Glad Group Glad Group Sladjana Stanic Sukru Tarjan Muhammad Waqas Chaminda Perera Yasir Saleem Hassan Shahzad Robert Wass Maurice Williams Dipesh Sharma Crown Melbourne Access Group Solutions Access Group Solutions Access Group Solutions MSS Security MSS Security Wilson Security Wilson Security Reddawn Security
ASIAL’s Security Insider Podcast Series
The ASIAL Security Insider Podcast series explores some of the issues and challenges facing the security industry.
EPISODE 58
The truth about COVID vaccines
With Dr. Karl, one of Australia’s leading science commentators about COVID vaccines. Do you know everything you need to know to make an informed decision about getting the COVID vaccine?
EPISODE 59
The Future of Artificial Intelligence In Security With Professor Toby Walsh, Laureate Fellow, Scientia Professor of AI at the University of New South Wales, and Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. Professor Walsh gives us a glimpse into the future potential for artificial intelligence in security.
Visit www.asial.com.au/asialpodcasts
Subscribe on
2021 RIDING THE WAVE
Twelve months ago, the world was in a state of shock at how fast and how far the COVID-19 virus had spread and how dramatically it had impacted on our lives. The Security Industry was certainly no exception. And during 2021, COVID news, lockdowns and daily counts of new cases became almost commonplace. Everyone has had to adapt and again, the Security Industry has proven itself a match for any challenge COVID has thrown at us. Indeed, in spite of all the predictions and the general sense of gloom, as reported in the 2nd Annual ASIAL Security Industry Licensing Report, the Security industry has continued to grow since 2019.
Continues over page >
And the Security Industry’s public profile has steadily grown with nearly 100 mentions in national media – more than double the coverage of the previous year. This has been mostly in the national NINE Media press and the NEWS Ltd press, which constitutes 80% of Australia’s newspaper market.
Nowadays some people optimistically look forward to a time when COVID and masks and lock-downs are all over and we can return to normal. Others have resigned themselves to the idea that this is “The New Normal” and that society, and our Security Industry with it, will need to continue to ride the wave.
CHANGING OF THE ASIAL GUARD
In mid-2021, after nearly a decade as President, Kevin McDonald was succeeded in the ASIAL Board elections by John Gellel as President, who was joined by his Vice President, Rachaell Saunders. The new Leadership team were ready to articulate what they saw as priorities for the Security Industry. The ASIAL Board and organisation are renewing their efforts to address the labour shortage issue in the Security Industry, the increasingly important role women play in the profession and creating awareness and opportunities for security companies to tackle the pressing issues confronting the industry in coming years. To that end, in September 2021, they unveiled the Security 2025 Report, commissioned by ASIAL.
The stark warning in the very frank report by the Australian Security Research Centre emphasises that Australian companies, governments and the Security Industry must work together right now and bring about crucial reforms if the country is to have the capability to meet key security threats in coming years.
Security 2025 recommends the creation of a Security Industry Coordination Office within the Home Affairs Ministry to facilitate rather than direct achieving national regulatory uniformity. It also lays out twelve priority areas where the Security Industry can focus its attention, including how to boost the standing of the industry in Australian society, incentivise more qualified people to embark on a Security career, position the industry as a partner with Commonwealth Defence and Security forces and embrace and “own” emerging and nascent security technologies.
CONFIDENCE IN SECURITY (ASCI)
In March 2021, the inaugural Australian Security Confidence Index (ASCI) was delivered, shedding light on the attitudes and feelings of Australians in all walks of life about their confidence in their security.
More than a third of Australians (36%) said they feel unsafe during daylight hours, rising to 53% after dark with cybercrime top of the list of national safety concerns.
Many Australians reported feeling unsafe online (41%), with fears of cybercrime, identity theft and other cyber attacks while using online banking, chatting on social media or online shopping.
The findings of the ASCI appear slightly prophetic with the recent announcement by the Federal Government that all social media platforms will be required to monitor their users’ online content and make it available to security authorities. This in turn points to the predicted shift in the role of the private Security Industry in coming years.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY OFFICERS’ DAY
One of the happiest events of 2021 was International Security Officers’ Day in July, which generated record media coverage and participation. Across the country, workplaces, individuals, Parliamentarians, friends and families joined the Security Industry in thanking Security officers for the great work they do. ASIAL placed feature articles in all the NEWS Ltd newspapers showcasing the kind of work Security officers do day-to-day and this was repeated in November across the NEWS Ltd network with another “hero” story.
MUTUAL RECOGNITION
Throughout 2021, ASIAL continued the core business of pressing for regulatory reform with a constant stream of correspondence and meetings with Ministers and Regulators across the states/territories and the Commonwealth. The achievement of Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) was one major step in the right direction, because it sets up a formal, federal framework through which the states and territories can recognise the right of security companies to work across borders. Despite the compelling case presented by the Federal Government and the successful amendment of AMR in Commonwealth Law this year, some states and territories doggedly pursue self-interest at the expense of the Security Industry’s ability to operate freely
across borders. Although the industry has welcomed the leadership of the Federal Government, the major road block of state and territory entrenchment remains. For as long as the states and territories persist in imposing their own red tape and limitations on the Security Industry, ASIAL and leaders in the Security industry will continue to press for a modern, efficient and fair regulatory environment that treats all security companies equally. Only a uniform, nationally consistent regulatory environment can permit the Security Industry and the nation to meet the pressing challenges to our security in the years ahead.
A DIALOGUE WITH THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE
In mid-2021, ASIAL opened a dialogue with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) about plans for general mobilisation. The Australian Military recognises the key role private security will play in the event of a national emergency and ASIAL has been identified by the ADF as a central contact point for the entire Security Industry as well as a provider of key insights and advice to the ADF for general mobilisation planning as it relates to domestic security provision. The ADF’s General Mobilisation Design Directorate is expected to begin consultation in 2022 with ASIAL with a view to incorporating private security providers into their planning.
A RETURN TO CONFERENCE - VIRTUALLY
When the COVID emergency prevented the annual ASIAL Security Conference and Exhibition in 2020, many in the Security Industry were keen to find an alternative so that important connections between manufacturers, scholars and practitioners could be maintained. ASIAL innovated a virtual conference and exhibition, which was held in October.
The theme for the 35th annual ASIAL Security Conference was ‘Security in Transformation’, highlighting the importance of an innovative, technologically advanced and competitive Security Industry in delivering improved security outcomes that are responsive to changing market needs.
As demand for security services grows, digital transformation and innovation is critical to the future industry’s development. Technologies such as video analytics, augmented reality, cyber security and robotics will become commonplace. Security providers will need to embrace change to remain competitive.
A raft of Australian and overseas speakers from academia, big business, small business, the media and the military ranged over a suite of pressing issues of importance to the Security Industry and those who use it.
WHAT’S IN STORE FOR 2022 AND BEYOND?
The 2nd Annual ASIAL Security Industry Licensing Report reflected the inherent strengths of the Security Industry. It showed for example that from 2019 to 2020, the total number of individual security licence holders increased 3.9% to 153,526 (up from 147,729 in 2019). NSW accounted for 36% of all individual security licence holders nationally and 45.6% of all Security Firm/Master Licence holders. However, the ACT, Tasmania and Western Australia also saw significant growth in individual licence numbers. It will be very interesting to look back over the year 2020-21 to track the industry’s growth in that period.
But what does the future hold? In February 2022, ASIAL will again ask the Australian people how they feel about their security in a range of settings and compare that with the results from February 2021. The findings of the provocative Security 2025 report will inform plans to ready the industry to meet the challenges of the next few years and will no doubt prove a useful tool to security companies all over the country in their own planning and development.
With Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) achieved, future opportunities to further reform the regulatory framework governing the Security Industry can be explored with the aim of bringing about more and more meaningful improvements in how the Industry is controlled by governments.
And of course, there is COVID and recent news of the so-called Omicron strain. Clearly, the COVID saga has longer to run and our industry – along with the rest of Australia and the rest of the human race will have to learn, adapt and innovate so we can continue riding the wave.
SMART, SAFE, AND SECURE
Utilising your security system to get back to business
By Dean Matheson
Gallagher’s Melbourne-based Technical Account Manager, Dean Matheson, shares his insights on how organisations can utilise the existing functionality that lies within their security system to support contactless experiences, smarter buildings, and improved capabilities for their employees and visitors.
The past 18 months have brought significant change for many industries around the world. But it has also introduced some unique opportunities to transform how we work. With many Australian states now opening up, we’re seeing more organisations exploring how they can meet newly introduced compliances, better optimise their facilities, and ensure they can protect their staff and visitors through creating contactless environments.
Amidst all of this change, many business owners are now asking themselves: ’How do we put these new behaviours into practice and what can my existing security system do to help us create a safe return to business, both now and in the future?’
MAXIMISE YOUR EXISTING SYSTEM
Through the acceleration of access control technologies to support frictionless experiences and smarter buildings, the wider benefits of a physical security system are becoming more apparent for many businesses.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that people are now expecting more from their everyday environments. Access control technology plays a key role in enabling people to work the way they want to through seamless automation and intelligence, and the best part is, this functionality is often readily available within their existing security system,” says Dean Matheson, Technical Account Manager for Gallagher.
“With so much uncertainty around what the future may bring, spending money needlessly is not something many businesses can consider doing right now,” says Dean. “It’s important to remember that there’s so much you can do with your existing security system without needing to
invest in new platforms, and by working with your manufacturer and integrator they can help you to understand what’s possible for the needs of your site.”
MEETING COMPLIANCE AND PROTECTING YOUR PEOPLE
Being able to ensure people have the valid requirements to be on site has become a significant part of employee and visitor health and safety. In some cases where the risk of infection is higher, frequent employee testing is required to meet government compliance and to ensure business continuity.
Through utilising competencybased tools in your access control system, businesses can manage compliancy requirements and employee access.
“If you have a situation where you need to ensure employees and visitors have been tested or need to be vaccinated, rather than manually checking, you can enforce business policies at the door so that when someone badges, the system can validate entry to the site, and if they don’t comply, you can record why and prompt their next steps,” says Dean.
“This functionality really speeds up the manual process, which is an area we are seeing increased demand from businesses and their employees. People want ease of access, remote onboarding, and tools to ensure they are compliant with regulations,” explains Dean. “These regulations are no doubt going to continue for some time, and we may even see new ones introduced in years to come, so it’s all about setting your business up for the future.” MOVING TO MOBILE
When implementing mobile technology as part of an integrated security system, it can transform the way a business manages their access control and simplify how people interact with their office space.
“Some may question the cost and practicality of mobile access control, however it’s simple to operate, easy to deploy, and can also offer significant cost-savings,” explains Dean. “Not only that, as businesses navigate the challenges of limiting physical contact, mobile technology is a great way to manage credentials remotely for a contactless experience.”
“This is a huge benefit for organisations managing a global team, as there’s nothing stopping you from onboarding someone with a mobile credential, anywhere in the world,” adds Dean.
OPTIMISING FACILITY USE
A return to the workplace may look a little different to what many were used to before, with more businesses implementing a hybrid approach of mixed remote and in-office working. This approach can cause some uncertainty around how many people will be working from the office and when. A 2021 survey by The Committee for Sydney gave some insight and found that 51% of leaders expect that their employees will commute to the office for just three days a week, and 36% expect their staff will cluster their office days from Tuesday to Thursday.
“For many businesses, the pandemic has forced a reconsideration of their overall office design; with many opting for agile working spaces, hot desking, or bookable office resources to optimise space, reduce office footprint costs, and encourage cross team collaboration,” says Dean.
“Locker management systems are a popular option for these environments to provide teams with a secure place to store their belongings in lieu of being attached to a single desk space. We’ve also seen businesses utilising system features that enable you to allocate people to desks across a certain timeframe. This provides a way for businesses to keep a record of where people sat each day, while also giving cleaners time to sanitise between people and provide staff with an extra layer of confidence that their space is safe.”
PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE
Dean concludes: “When considering the move back into an in-person environment, there is a sense of hesitancy. Employers are picking up on this and want to do everything they can to make environments safe for everyone. There’s no one size fits all, so using a flexible security system that has the features and functionality within it to achieve what you need, both now and in the future, is imperative,
“Now is the time to utilise the existing functionality within your security system in new and innovative ways to enable a safe return to business.”
About the Author:
Dean Matheson, Technical Account Manager VIC, Gallagher.
Dean has over 25 years’ experience in the security industry with 15 of those years as a Technical Account Manager with global security manufacturer, Gallagher. His understanding of complex security systems and desire to ensure a client’s unique needs are met with the right solution, has seen him involved in several large-scale projects across critical infrastructure, corrections, and university sectors.
