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IFSEC Global Influencers in Security and Fire 2020
The IFSEC Global Influencers in Security and Fire for 2020 have been revealed, and the good news is that five New Zealanders feature among the winners – proof that Aotearoa’s security industry is influencing above its weight.
Awarded annually, the IFSEC Global Influencers in Security and Fire recognises ‘influencers’ in security from around the world. This year, 86 security professionals were recognised across six security categories, including: • Security executives (the senior most official in an enterprise, whose primary duties encompass leading and managing security for the enterprise). • Security end users (e.g. heads of security, directors of security). • Security manufacturers/vendors/ installers/integrators (those displaying exemplary work in the field of installation or specific projects, as well as technological innovation). • Security thought leadership (e.g. thought leaders, association figures, academics). • Security ‘One to watch’ (championing the sector’s rising stars, nominees should have worked in the industry for no longer than five years). • Cyber security professionals and thought leaders.
Nominations were judged by an international panel of highly respected judges, including New Zealand’s Jason Cherrington, CEO of Optic Security Group, who sought to identify the world’s biggest ‘influencers’. According to IFSEC’s definition, an influencer is a person who: • has played a key role in driving technological innovation. has been a driving force in changing regulation, standards/ guidance or best practice. holds insights/opinions that are widely respected and that are influential in shaping debate around industry issues. has been instrumental in the success of the organisation or business they lead or are employed by. has helped to raise the industry’s profile or been an influential voice in the national media.
New Zealand winners emerged in the categories of ‘Commercial Security – End Users (Including Security Directors/Heads of Security)’ and ‘Cyber Security Professionals’. Their influencer profiles are as follows:
Andrew Thorburn (Joint 10th – Commercial Security) Andrew D. Thorburn is a highly experienced and commercially astute protective security and organisational development consultant with a career that spans both the private and public sectors. Andrew brings over 25 years of security technology and staff services strategy and implementation experience to end user clients.
Andrew regularly contributes to the profession through voluntary sector leadership, development and delivery of subject matter to special interest groups, such as New Zealand Security Association, (ISC)2 and ASIS International, and contributes thought leadership pieces for industry online and
Andrew Thorburn
print publications. He is the immediate past ASIS International Chapter 148 Chairperson and the 2018 New Zealand Security Consultant of the Year.
Andrew has demonstrable experience in local and central government critical national infrastructure projects and is currently working on establishing local, but globally supported, industry leadership and governance awards. He is also driving for the development of culturally aligned sector training for indigenous people.
Sir Ken McKenzie (9th – Commercial Security) Sir Ken McKenzie deploys 48 years’ industry experience encompassing construction, transport, emergency services, retail, cash in transit, workplace health & safety, senior management and leadership in community and corporate institutions. He is a respected security practitioner specialising in safety and security risk,
Sir Ken McKenzie
cultural change management, cultural safety and security and integrating technology with human factors.
Ken has been instrumental in deploying cultural safety competence change management across Transport Construction and currently, cultural safety and security change management and the interface of technology with human factors in the Australasian Cultural Sector. He is a significantly influential leader in the Protection of Australasian Cultural Assets (PACA) within cultural institutions.
As Head of Security, Health & Safety at Auckland Museum he is actively engaged with the security industry, is well respected for visionary leadership in security applications, applying bespoke systems fit for whole of business never previously considered, and regularly presents at security conferences.
Dean Kidd (8th – Commercial Security) Dean Kidd is Head of Security – Venues at Regional Facilities Auckland, which is part of Auckland Council. This team act as the guardians of 12 iconic venues that host over 1,000 events per year. Dean has been a part of this organisation for 13 years and has held roles in health and safety management, event security planning and venue protection management.
He is currently responsible for a hybrid guard force, whilst also delivering several sizeable projects that will form a part of an integrated physical protection system (security) that will span across the city of
Dean Kidd
Auckland. Dean has a particular interest in bringing technology and human behaviour analysis together to combat negative intent within the crowded place.
He is also a past Chairman of ASIS NZ and has championed diversity, strategy and membership growth whilst serving the organisation. Continuing to partner with academia to obtain a balanced view of all things security, safety, risk and emergency planning, his career to date has seen him travel across the world to work with industry leaders.
Sai Honig, CCSP, CISSP (16th – Cyber Security Professionals) Sai Honig has worked in differing roles in various industries. Prior to information security, Sai was an aerospace design engineer and financial/ operational auditing.
Sai’s IT experience is in the governance, audit, supply chain, risk management, and security. Her industrial experience includes manufacturing, healthcare, education, and financial services. Sai has volunteered for Grameen Foundation. This foundation’s global efforts in microfinance and assisting those to access capital in order to improve their lives, their families and their communities.
Sai’s volunteer efforts were recognized with The President’s Volunteer Service Award in May 2013 from President Barack Obama. Sai served as board member of (ISC)2 from 2017-2019. Sai is also co-founder of NZ Network for Women in Security.
Sai Honig, CCSP, CISSP
Kendra Ross (15th – Cyber Security Professionals) Kendra Ross is co-founder of Duo NZ Ltd, New Zealand’s first and largest cyber security distributor and PS Duo, a cyber security resourcing company for the channel. Kendra exited both businesses in 2019 and is now assisting in their expansion.
Kendra founded 1st Tuesday in 2008, creating a forum for over 1,000 senior professionals to support this vision and in 2016 Kendra co-founded Project Wednesday, a platform for people considering cyber security as a career. In 2016 Kendra was appointed to the Establishment Board of NZ’s first CERT. She has also been appointed by Government onto several Taskforces on Cyber Security.
In 2019 joined Tech Futures Lab Advisory Board and is helping shape Masters and Post Grad Programs in Technology and Innovation. Among the awards Kendra has personally received, the stand out for her was when she was the first female inducted into the NZ IDG ICT Innovation Hall of Fame in 2018.
