UK Foreword

The world is once again starting to open up, and personally, I think it’s great to see a bit of normality creeping back in. But with bars, restaurants, and shops already beginning to reopen, is it too soon? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure, and that’s until a vaccine is found life as we knew it is still some way off.

We are still waiting for the full effects and numbers to come in to see how much the economy has been affected, but it is plain to see the pandemic has been disastrous for a vast amount of businesses. We can only hope and pray that the population as a whole is sensible and takes precautions moving forward so we can avoid another lockdown, as I doubt many businesses could survive further restrictions. And, nowhere is that truer than within our industry, which has been hit particularly hard.

As an advisor, service provider, and employer within the security industry, it is my business to stay informed and up to date on matters as they happen. Despite living in the ‘information age,’ being able to validate the authenticity of any given data is becoming more and more difficult. This is why I take my role as Editor of the Circuit Magazine seriously. We strive to bring our readers not just entertaining and engaging content, but above all, a trusted and reliable source of industry information. That’s why I want to highlight two specific sections of this issue.

Firstly, I want to draw your attention to the incredibly insightful article by James Bore, who, in continuing his deep dive into the world of Cybersecurity, shines a light on the dangers of social media engineering. James explains how what some people believe might not necessarily be a product of independent, free-thinking, and may instead have been ‘engineered’ with nefarious intent.

Next up, we know that one of the most popular sections in the magazine has always been the analysis and monitoring of global incidents. And, now, more so than ever, we know how important it is to have informed insight in today’s increasingly complex international environment. That’s why we’re delighted to announce a strategic new partnership with Stratfor, the world’s leading geopolitical intelligence platform.

Stratfor, a RANE company, will now provide the magazine with geopolitical analysis and accurate forecasting of global trends that will be valuable to all readers. I think we’re all going to be feeling a lot more confident about our knowledge of international affairs.

Let me hold you back no longer. Go, and delve into this bumper, content-packed issue.

Until next time, stay safe!

Shaun West

Editor