Security News
11
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Public perception of security officers’
role “must be addressed” asserts BSIA
ACCORDING TO a recent YouGov
poll, the public perception of
security officers when it comes to the
latter being seen as playing an
essential role in the UK, both prior
to and during the COVID-19
pandemic, is ranked only slightly
ahead of traffic wardens.
The ‘Perceptions of the Security
Officer’ study was carried out by
service. The Top Three were NHS
YouGov on behalf of the British
workers, nurses and care workers.
Security Industry Association
When asked about which
(BSIA), The Security Institute and
characteristics best describe the
The Security Commonwealth as part
personality of a security officer, the
of those organisations’ joint ‘Hidden
highest scores were for ‘honest’, ‘alert’,
Workforce’ campaign. The survey’s
‘trustworthy’, ‘brave’ and ‘confident’,
objective was to understand the
but some respondents looked at
current perception of security
officers as being ‘authoritative’, ‘rigid’,
officers among the British public and
‘burly’, ‘threatening’ and
also the extent of the key issues they
‘unintelligent’. Respondents also
face, namely potential lack of respect
suggested that the crimes security
and recognition and
officers help to prevent are
underestimation of their role.
shoplifting, anti-social behaviour
While 31% of those interviewed
and petty crime, and that officers
believe that security officers are
should only work closely with the
fundamental to keeping the UK safe
police service if asked to do so.
and secure, with 41% indicating
Speaking about the study’s
respect and a feeling of safety due to
findings, Mike Reddington (CEO at
the work that security officers carry
the BSIA) commented: “The results
out, the role of the security officer
of the YouGov survey highlight that,
ranked ninth out of ten essential
while a good level of the general
services behind postal workers and
public feel safe and reassured in the
pharmacists. When interviewees
presence of a security officer, they
were asked about these roles during
don’t see the services they deliver as
COVID-19, security officers were
essential and even less so during the
not mentioned at all as an essential
current pandemic. Although security
officers have been recognised by the
UK Government as key workers
during the COVID-19 outbreak, it
seems that the perception of the role
they play in our daily lives is still at a
low level. That situation needs to be
addressed as a matter of urgency.”
Critical role
Rick Mounfield CSyP FSyI, CEO at
The Security Institute, added: “The
public seems unaware of the critical
role security officers play in
supporting the police in deterring
crime and terrorism, let alone their
intervention when theft, robbery and
attacks occur. The survey
demonstrates that the average citizen
in the UK pays little-to-no attention
to what a security officer is doing.”
Mounfield added: “However, this
isn’t all bad news given that a good
security posture should be low key
until crisis hits. The important
aspect is that the public should at
least recognise what security officers
provide in terms of ensuring their
safety. These are the people they will
look towards when a crisis occurs.”
The ‘Hidden Workforce’
campaign aims to reset public
perceptions of security officers in the
long-term such that those officers
are viewed as respected, valued and
professional service providers who
contribute towards public safety.
THE INFORMATION
Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has
fined hotel group Marriott
International £18.4 million for the
company’s failure to keep millions
of customers’ personal data secure.
Marriott International estimates
that 339 million guest records
worldwide were affected following
a cyber attack that took place back
in 2014 and involved Starwood
Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc.
The attack, which emanated from
an unknown source, remained
undetected until September 2018,
by which time the company had
been acquired by Marriott.
The personal data involved
differed between individuals, but
may have included names, e-mail
addresses, telephone numbers,
unencrypted passport numbers,
arrival/departure information,
guests’ VIP statuses and loyalty
programme membership numbers.
The precise number of people
affected is unclear as there may
have been multiple records for
individual guests. Seven million
guest records related to people
resident here in the UK.
The ICO’s investigation found
that there were failures by Marriott
International to put appropriate
technical or organisational
measures in place in order to
protect the personal data being
processed on its systems as
required by the General Data
Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Critical role
S;peaking about the case,
Information Commissioner
Elizabeth Denham commented:
“Personal data is precious and
businesses have to look after it.
Millions of people’s data was
affected by Marriott International’s
failure. Thousands contacted a
Helpline, while others may have
had to take action to protect their
personal data because the company
they trusted it to had not done so.
When a business fails to look after
its customers’ data, the impact is
not just a possible fine. What
matters most is the public whose
data they had a duty to protect.”
The ICO fully acknowledges that
Marriott International acted
promptly to contact customers and
the ICO itself when the cyber
incident came to light. It also acted
quickly to mitigate the risk of
damage suffered by affected
customers and has since instigated
a number of measures designed to
improve the security of its systems.
IRM to deliver
Modern
Apprenticeships
qualifications
THE INSTITUTE of Risk
Management (IRM) has been
granted supporting training
provider status by the Register of
Apprenticeship Training
Providers to deliver the
professional qualification
element for the Modern
Apprenticeships in Risk and
Compliance. Apprenticeships
must last for at least 12 months,
but can stretch for up to five
years depending on the level at
which the apprentice is studying.
Modern Apprenticeships
afford any individual over the
age of 16 the opportunity to
work in a paid job while
undertaking workplace training
to gain new and enhanced skills
in parallel with recognised
professional qualifications.
All apprenticeships include
elements of ‘on the job’ and ‘off
the job’ training, leading to
industry recognised standards or
qualifications. Some
apprenticeships also require an
assessment at the end of the
programme to evaluate the
apprentices’ ability and
competence in their job role.
For their part, employers can
access funding including
incentive payments of up to
£2,000 for any apprentices hired
before 31 January 2021.
The IRM qualifications that
meet the Modern Apprenticeship
standards are the IRM
International Certificates in
Enterprise Risk Management and
Financial Services (Level 3) and
the International Diploma in
Risk Management (Level 6).
Iain Wright CFIRM, chair of
the IRM, said: “We’re delighted
to be able to make this
announcement. Apprenticeships
are a great way for people to earn
as they learn and also receive a
recognised qualification from the
Institute, whether that be with a
view towards kick-starting their
working life or furthering an
already established career.”
ICO fines Marriott International £18.4 million
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