HOMELAND SECURITY IFSEC Global Influencers in Security and Fire 2021 Announced
The IFSEC Global Influencers in Security and Fire for 2021 have been revealed, and the good news is that a record six New Zealanders feature among the winners – proof that Aotearoa’s security-focused industry sectors are influencing well above their weight. The IFSEC Global Influencers in Security and Fire, awarded annually, is one of the most prestigious in the annual industry awards calendar, yet perhaps least understood. IFSEC Global Influencers recognises ‘influencers’ in security roles from around the world. According to IFSEC’s definition, an influencer as 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. Nominations were judged by an international panel of two dozen highly respected judges, including Line of Defence Magazine chief editor Nicholas Dynon, who sought to identify the world’s biggest ‘influencers’. This year, 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/
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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 New Zealand winners emerged in the categories of ‘Association Figures, Academics, Thought Leaders’, ‘End Users’ and ‘One to Watch’. In a record showing for Aotearoa, our winners for 2021 are: Jennie Vickers (1st – Association figures, academics, thought leaders)
Jennie Vickers has been focused on the Defence sector in Australasia for the last eight years, stepping down as CEO of the New Zealand Defence Industry Association (NZDIA) in April 2021 after four years in the role. During her tenure, she brought the Association into the 21st century and widened its remit to include members from throughout New Zealand’s security sector. As NZDIA CEO, Jennie championed courageous and open conversations between Government and industry in the defence and security sectors to support better procurement outcomes and more SMEs in supply chains. Apart from significantly increasing the Association’s membership and its links across other industry sectors and internationally, Jennie pioneered the use of made-for-purpose virtual event platforms. This enabled the NZDIA to quickly pivot during COVID to virtual events, which was critical in ensuring that engagement among the NZ national security supply chain continued without missing a beat. It also ensured the successful launch of New Zealand Defence’s Information Domain. Jennie’s leadership and considerable online and cross-sector engagement has been instrumental in raising the profile of the private sector’s contribution to the defence and national security sectors in New Zealand. Now a consultant at Fortinet, Jenny describes her expertise as connecting people, building relationships,
Line of Defence
