Tara Murphy

Director, Security & Traffic at the University of NSW, Sydney

Tara Murphy is Director, Security & Traffic at the University of NSW, Sydney. She has been in security at UNSW for almost half her security career and in that time has transformed the security function.

“Once I began working at UNSW I progressed from deputy security manager to security manager,” she says. “In that role I worked to extend the portfolio and raise the profile of the security service within the university. This led to greater recognition of the value of security, which resulted in my being appointed to my current role as director of security. In this role I am part of the estate management executive team.”

She describes a ‘typical’ day as being atypical, “involving numerous meetings, responding to events, supporting my team and liaising with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

“I work with a committed and talented team. Having them recognised for the critical role they undertake and the value they bring is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.”

UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

Having raised the profile of the security service, Murphy says her biggest challenge is managing expectations. “My experience in many organisations is that security is required to wear many hats beyond its core function, which is not realistic in some cases.

“I think this is a result of security being viewed as trusted partners in the organisation So, whenever people come to a sticking point, they reach out to security. This is, of course, a positive thing. However I need to ensure we do not overcommit to tasks and services we are not trained to undertake that divert us from our core responsibilities.”

Key to fulfilling those core responsibilities, she says, are good personal networks, both within the university and externally. She maintains strong links with her peers in other tertiary education organisations to understand current and emerging threats and responses, is an active member of Association of University Chief Security Officers and attends its forums and conferences. She keeps up to date with government websites and press releases and works

closely with the local police and local emergency management committees.

LEARNING ON THE JOB

Murphy says she never planned a career in physical security and learnt mostly on the job in a number of roles over the years. “While academic study has distinct advantages, the value of life experience should not be overlooked. The biggest part of my role is interacting with a diverse group of people. I started my career in the UK in loss prevention straight from school and learned on the job, mostly from managers and colleagues.

However, she does recognise the value of formal professional development and has taken a number of courses over the years, gaining a foundation degree in security risk management and a diploma in security. She is now completing a degree in counterterrorism, security and intelligence.

She is on track to complete this in 2023 and is looking to undertake further study in emergency and crisis management, responsibilities she already carries in her current role. “While I have developed a sound understanding of the practicalities of this discipline, my experiences in responding to a rapidly changing environment during the COVID pandemic has piqued my interest in undertaking further study in this area,” she says.

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