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Academic study into retail loss prevention is announced

Concept Smoke Screen is partnering with criminologists from the University of Lincoln look at retail loss prevention and on crime in surrounding communities.

The new partnership was born out of Concept’s “Connected” campaign, which urges a rethink of the private security industry’s approach to crime prevention. A significant part of the Connected project focuses on collaboration between academia and industry to address structural-level causes of crime and approaches to tackling them.

This initial study, with the Criminology team of the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Lincoln, will also act as a pilot for further investigation into the way that security systems manufacturers and security users can work cooperatively with researchers to share data, providing insights into criminal trends and patterns which have not traditionally been available to either group.

“We’re hugely excited about this new partnership and the insights it will provide for ourselves and our clients,” Concept MD Matt Gilmartin said. “We see it as both extremely valuable in itself, and as the first step in an ongoing collaboration with the University of Lincoln team. Data is absolutely critical to intelligent crime prevention planning, and being able to assess that data in a wider, holistic context will allow us to make smarter choices about how and where our systems are deployed. And we’ll also be better able to advise Smoke Screen users about the broader social impact of these sorts of loss prevention measures.”

Dr Nick Cowen will lead the quantitative data team on the project: “By pooling data from across multiple sites and multiple retailers, we expect to be able to produce precise and up-todate estimates about the impact of loss prevention strategies, as well as where, when and how the application of these strategies is likely to be most effective,” he said.

“Additionally, because we will be establishing the broader social impact of effective loss prevention on the public’s experience of crime and disorder, we anticipate that this will help Concept’s clients substantiate and document their contributions to wider public values according to Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance criteria.”

Lauren receives a bouquet from Sarah Steer, Astra’s Director of Finance, People and Compliance

Apprentice course success for Astra Security’s rising star

Astra Security has announced that Lauren Pinker has completed her Level 4 Improvement Practitioner Apprenticeship course.

The course, which ran for 14 months included topics such as Team Leadership; Project Management; Presentation and Reporting and Change Management, and is delivered by Skills Training UK.

Paul Furnival, Trainer Assessor, Skills Training UK said, “Lauren has been an excellent learner, she has challenged the content, and applied it to a project that is both strategic and contemporary, which in my experience, is unique in terms of the outcome. It has been a pleasure to guide Lauren through the Improvement Practitioner process.”

Lauren said, “I’m so pleased to have completed the course, which will really help me in my role here at Astra. It’s given me confidence to deal with work situations and challenges in a different way, and great that I’ll be using the skills and techniques from the course to help me going forward.”

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RSPNDR partners with Loxal for alarm response integration

RSPNDR, the Canadian company that launched its alarm response service into the UK earlier this year, has announced that it has partnered with Loxal to integrate its digital access control systems into the platform.

RSPNDR uses an Uber-like platform that links into monitoring stations to collect alarm events and then pass details directly to the nearest available guard in their network. The guard is then guided to the site where they conduct checks, take photographs and report findings.

The partnership with Loxal means RSPNDR can now pass a unique, one-time use PIN to give the guard access to keys to enable internal inspections without compromising on the speed of the response or increasing cost.

“We are excited to leverage the benefits of Loxal’s digital key safes and lock devices to expand our service offering in the UK,” says Mark Zimmerman, CEO of RSPNDR. “Key holder response has traditionally been slow and expensive. Integrating Loxal’s intelligent digital locks into the platform for our guard network allows us to offer a faster service to customers.”

“Combining our digital access devices with a new response service like RSPNDR is an exciting development for the UK market,” says Loxal CEO David White. “Rapid response with secure key access from a national network should prove compelling.”

• Mayflex has signed a distribution agreement with Pelco to distribute their security and surveillance technology including video management and analytics software, infrastructure, cameras, and related services. • Eagle Eye Networks has joined the Zitko Talent community. The company will be providing training courses and workshops, while contributing to Talent’s development as a member of its industry steering group.

Vemotion relocates to new European Head Office

Vemotion Interactive has relocated its European Head Office to Aberford, West Yorkshire.

Situated ten miles east of Leeds, Vemotion’s new European Head Office building takes advantage of key transport links. The office move is designed to provide enhanced customer support, training and warehousing, to cope with the increasing demand for streaming software and hardware solutions.

“We have seen activity in the streaming video sector really ramp-up latterly, so much so that we are currently recruiting for engineering and support roles,” says Steve Haworth, CEO at Vemotion. “We are delighted to address the increase in demand for our range of low bandwidth video streaming products with a relocation to our new premises. From the new office base, we plan to further support our integrators and end-user customers with improved, modern office space, demonstration facilities, product training and a more spacious warehouse, supporting ‘in-stock’ sales delivery and faster product lead times.”

BSIA launches cyber assurance registration scheme for technology manufacturers

The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) has launched a security equipment manufacturer’s cybersecurity registration scheme through its special interest group, the Cybersecurity Product Assurance Group (CySPAG).

The new self-declaration registration scheme is based on the requirements of BSIA Form 343 Manufacturers of safety and security systems cybersecurity code of practice. Its aim is to provide a level of confidence to the supply chain that product procured for use in safety and security systems have been produced by CySPAG registered manufacturers who have processes in place to manufacture, supply products using cyber risk mitigation techniques and provide ongoing support throughout the product lifecycle.

To support the scheme, the BSIA has created a CySPAG registration website, which allows companies to self-declare that their product(s) are produced using the process described in the BSIA’s Manufacturers of safety and security systems cybersecurity code of practice. Once accepted, the company will receive a certificate and can use a CySPAG badge of assurance on their products. The self-declaration will be valid for twelve months from the date of acceptance to the scheme, at which point the self-declaration must be renewed for ongoing registration.

The scheme is open to both members of the BSIA and also non-members, with registration fees based upon the company’s status. Over the coming months the BSIA is planning to launch a scheme for installers.

Glenn Foot, Chairman of CySPAG and Product Manager, Eaton, said: We are delighted that CySPAG has launched this new scheme. It is important that the industry takes responsibility for itself rather than being dictated to by other organisations.”

Steve Lampett, Technical Manager, BSIA, said: “This scheme should provide confidence throughout the supply chain that cyber security has been addressed at a product level and if installed correctly will remain secure for the life of the product.”

THE BOTTOM LINE

IN ASSOCIATION WITH CSL The interview that gets the facts from the top

This month Simon Banks talks to Luke Gunn, Technical Training Manager at Marlowe Fire & Security Group. Luke’s role includes managing the Apprenticeship Technical Training via the Marlowe Academy.

How did your journey into the Fire and Security sector start? I started as an apprentice at Swift Fire & Security, since acquired by Marlowe, 15 years ago. After I left sixth form college, I knew I wanted to get into electronics. The obvious route was to become an electrician. However, a family friend and now Marlowe colleague, Darron Gee, suggested I looked at the Fire & Security sector. I loved my apprenticeship, although compared to today’s standards, there was a real lack of structure to the programme. I mostly spent time on site as a trainee. It was security-focused, but with some fire projects as well. Can you tell us about the Marlowe Academy? Today we have 30 engineer apprentices in our Academy. Our apprenticeship course is operated in partnership with Skills for Security. They help us to deliver the FESS Trailblazer to our Apprentices, whilst at the same time we can provide them with training on the ‘Marlowe Way’. Marlowe Fire & Security Group incorporates several brands, and the Academy is very much a ‘Group’ initiative, with input provided by teams across the business. Marlowe Academy’s strategy is to provide support and development for everyone across the Group, not just our engineers. Whilst my focus is on supporting our technical teams, our support and leadership colleagues also receive regular development via the Academy. This is all part of the Group’s ACE (Attract/Cultivate/Engage) People plan, with our Learning and Development Manager overseeing those developments. Are apprentices worth the investment? Yes! We have a known skills shortage in our sector and for a large provider like Marlowe, it can be difficult to find the engineers, particularly the multidisciplined engineers we require. We want to combat this by investing in our people and growing a sustainable workforce. Today our apprentices form an essential part of our workforce and many of them are moving up the career ladder within Marlowe. Due to the success of our apprentice programme, we have also expanded it to include taking on trainees, such as training exforces staff. How do apprentices compare to other more experienced engineers? I find that apprentices can embrace and understand new technology and innovations, which is exciting for us as a business. It helps us to understand how we can evolve and expand our business offerings and capabilities, understanding that technology underpins this. Our experienced engineers have fantastic skills and knowledge which means we have a diverse workforce for our range of services and a great team of supportive engineers keen to help newer apprentices find their feet and embrace their new roles. Some of the older systems we manage or inherit are using technology that is no longer sold, so it is challenging to train newer staff on these systems. The importance of maintaining a diverse team means we can meet the needs of all our customers which gives us strength as an industry leader.

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