James Willison & Sarb Sembhi discuss the concept of converged security and why uniting physical and cyber security is more important than ever. We also touch on the work the two do with the IoT Security Foundation, and where physical security professionals can start looking to build up their knowledge of IoT risks.

In our third episode, we zero in on new challenges facing modern security professionals, as Mike Gips, Principal at Global Insights in Professional Security and IFSEC Global influencer, expands on his predictions for the trends ahead in the physical security sector. We chat about how the pandemic has changed the face of the sector, and why it has helped professionals get a ‘seat at the C-suite table’, as organisations recognise the value security personnel and technology can bring. The second half of the episode explores the new challenges physical security professionals face from the growing divisive societal ‘factions’ that social media has helped to cement, to blockchain, to the development of the insider threat as a major disrupter and risk factor in businesses of all sizes. We finish on a fascinating story regarding an ex-US intelligence agent, so keep listening to find out more! Links to talking points: https://www.ifsecglobal.com/ifsec-global-security-fire-influencers/revealed-the-ifsec-global-influencers-in-security-2022/ (IFSEC Global’s top influencers in security 2022) https://www.ifsecglobal.com/resources/the-2022-state-of-physical-access-control-report/ (The 2022 State of Physical Access Control Report) https://www.gipsinsights.com/ (GIPS Insights) https://www.ifsecglobal.com/security-in-focus-podcast/ (IFSEC Global Security in Focus podcast hub – all episodes!)

In the second episode of the IFSEC Global Security in Focus podcast, we hear from Paul Barnard, Director and Vice Chair at the Security Institute, as we find out all about a fresh approach to bringing through the next generation of talent in the security sector. The Secure Futures programme, lead by Paul and in collaboration with the EY Foundation, has seen widespread support from the industry since its launch in 2020. It’s an initiative designed to introduce 16-18 year-olds from low income backgrounds to the wide array of opportunities and roles within the physical, personnel and cyber security sectors. We also hear from two graduates who were on the programme, to understand what their experiences were and why they’d encourage others to get involved. Throughout the discussion, we examine the importance of developing the next generation of security leaders, and in particular engaging those from diverse backgrounds that haven’t traditionally entered the sector. https://www.ifsecglobal.com/tag/secure-futures/ (Read more about the Secure Futures programme here) https://security-institute.org/about/nextgen/ (Read more about the Security Institute's Next Gen initiatives ) https://eyfoundation.com/uk/en/home.html (Read more about the EY Foundation)

We hear from Letitia Emeana about the importance of a diverse industry, and why building a network of security professionals is so important to developing your own skillset. We discuss how ASIS International has been so integral to Letitia's own pathway, as well as the growing requirement for collaboration between physical, cyber and IT security experts. Letitia Emeana has been active in security since 2001 and is the Chair of the ASIS UK Chapter. She qualified with her ASIS PSP in December 2007, IT Governance CISMP 2014 and ASIS CPP in 2017. Letitia is a multi-disciplinary security professional and leader with significant experience in Security Design, Security Technology and Security Implementation. She is currently the Global Security Capability Manager at Unilever and held previous Leadership positions at Tesla, Amazon and Lloyds Banking Group. She is a passionate advocate for Diversity in its broadest sense and was core to the establishment of Women’s Security groups in Amazon, Tesla and Unilever. https://www.ifsecglobal.com/critical-conversations/asis-letitia-emeana-on-diversifying-the-physical-security-culture/ (Read IFSEC Global’s exclusive article write up with Letitia, here). https://www.ifsecglobal.com/tag/ifsec-interviews/ (Read more exclusive interviews with security and fire professionals, here.) https://www.ifsecglobal.com/cyber-security/what-is-ifsecs-converged-security-centre-all-about/ (Find out more about the IFSEC Converged Security Centre, mentioned in the podcast, here.) https://www.ifsecglobal.com/event/en/home.html (Find out about IFSEC International, Europe’s leading physical security event, here.) https://www.asisonline.org/ (Find out more about ASIS International, here. )