Aotea Security’s inaugural Auckland Security Risk Management Seminar

SEMINAR Aotea Security’s inaugural Auckland Security Risk Management Seminar

After several Covid-19 interrupted attempts throughout mid to late 2020, on the 25th of March 2021 one year after our first level 4 lockdown, Aotea Security held its inaugural Security Risk Management Seminar at Auckland University of Technology (AUT).

The shared initiative of this event is an example of Aotea’s collaborative ecosystem of working together and coming together to offer value to the broader industry and its consumers. This philosophy can be no more important, timely or relevant than in a year preceded by disruption, anxiety and uncertainty within New Zealand and around the world.

Alistair is the CEO of Aotea Security. Alistair has enjoyed a long and successful career within the security industry and has contributed in volunteer leadership roles across industry organisations and professional standards development within New Zealand and internationally. Alistair holds an MSc in Security and Risk Management from the University of Leicester and offers a level of experience and understanding that adds value to our clients’ needs.

Collaboration, partnering, shared strategy and long-term sustainable relationships underpin Aotea Security’s approach to engaging with every element of its role within the security industry, wider business and with the community in general.

Interest in and attendance at the seminar was high with various sectors represented across local government, retail, education, healthcare, and finance. Aotea’s clear focus on delivering value and relevance without distraction was evident. The messaging was clear, it wasn’t industry led, exploited or a hijacked opportunity to promote specific products or services: it provided clear, educational content and networking opportunities with likeminded people to broaden the knowledge base in security risk management.

Alistair Hogg, CEO of Aotea Security explained the rationale behind the event. “Aotea Security wanted to provide the opportunity for our customers, consultants and the wider audience to further their knowledge base in regard to security risk management,” Hogg said.

“Significant thanks need to be expressed to our esteemed speakers for contributing their time, enthusiasm,

Everything was first class, from the speakers, the venue itself, to the morning tea, with the networking opportunities and the great gifts all participants received

advice and expertise. Thanks also to our sponsors, organisers and supporters for helping make this happen,” Hogg said.

To further reinforce the noncommercial approach to the event, Aotea Security were pleased to offer attendance at no cost and simply asked that donations be considered to the Starship National Air Ambulance Service.

“Starship provide a much-needed critical service for kiwi families, and we take this opportunity to encourage everyone to support them generally, as much as possible via a contribution on behalf of the Risk Seminar Event,” Hogg said.

Recertification and CPD points were available to ASIS members, members of FMANZ and IBANZ with each organisation lending its support to the event.

“As innovators, leaders and collaborators, The Auckland University of Technology receives our sincere thanks for hosting the event. A special thank-you must go to Willie Taylor for his support in ensuring that all in attendance enjoyed a great experience, in an excellent environment in one of New Zealand’s most respected institutions of learning.”

Considering the context and timing of our COVID impacted world, alongside the specific subject matter of Risk Management, coupled with the free sharing of advice, learnings and best practice methodology applied in a real world setting from recognised subject matter experts, Aotea’s short seminar created a well-timed opportunity to listen, learn, upskill and develop critical skills during a time when it is needed most by the people and communities that we all serve.

Safety, confidence and trust all support a sound relationship with uncertainty. In the uncertain times that our communities are currently experiencing, we each carry a responsibility to learn, adapt and apply so that we can deliver value where and when it is needed most. Without good information, how can we make good decisions? New information and validation of existing knowledge contribute to better decision-making through increased confidence, and ongoing education coupled with experience and confidence help reinforce credibility in leadership.

“Aotea have been humbled by the quality and numbers of those that attended and take this opportunity to thank them for their interest and support to date. Your attendance is what makes this event a success and your standing and credibility in turn reinforces the value and credibility of the speakers and the relevance and timing of the event and its subject matter. Thank you.”

Following the success of this seminar, Aotea Security are planning to hold another event later in the year, to be held in Wellington. Look out for further details of the future event through Aotea’s website or LinkedIn page. www.aoteasecurity.co.nz or https://www.linkedin.com/ company/4866013

“Thank you for the opportunity to host the 2021 Aotea Security Risk Seminar here at the Auckland University of Technology. As a tertiary institution we are heavily invested in the safety of our students, staff and visitors. As part of that investment we continually looked to the security industry to provide us with innovation and benchmarking opportunities, it is therefore heartening to see that a holistic approach can be possible – even among competitors. Like most other entities the Protective Security Requirements and ISO standards are levels we aspire to even if there is not a strict requirement to do so and it is these conversations that need to keep happening if there is to be a consistent approach nationwide, the outcomes will be measurable, obvious and well overdue”, said Willie Taylor MNZM, Director Security and Emergency Management at Auckland University of Technology.