Held in association with Eagle Eye Networks, the SJUK Leaders in Security Conference saw 287 senior security professionals gather at the Hilton Deansgate, Manchester on Tuesday 16 July for a day of high-level discussion and networking.

Delegates enjoyed a lively, hour-long breakfast and networking reception, before taking their seats in the main conference hall at 9.00am for an introduction by Ian Stokes, CEO, Centurian Media and Rick Mounfield, Conference Chair and Director, Optimal Risk Group.

Mounfield expressed gratitude to the Advisory Panel, composed of representatives from key businesses and organisations such as Unilever, Warner Brothers, Vodafone and South Western Railway acknowledging their pivotal role in shaping the day’s agenda. He highlighted their inputs as key to strengthening partnerships and fostering collaboration.

Following this, Tom O’Driscoll, Head of Security Operations and Intelligence at National Highways took to the stage to deliver the opening keynote. O’Driscoll delivered high-level overview of our current threat environment before delving into key themes for a successful security leader’s approach, including: building a team of teams; accepting and preparing everyone for security breaches; being curious – understanding your security environment and capabilities; looking forward as well as back – engaging with technologies as they can enable both your security response and posture, as well as that of an adversary; and finally, building system resilience – embracing people, processes, technologies and being comfortable testing and challenging your resilience and security posture

O’Driscoll’s speech set the audience up well for what to come.

A “gold-plated” agenda

In the first panel session of the day ‘From “No Way” to “Wow!”: Selling security innovation to business leaders’, Matthew Drew, Group Security & Resilience Director, Tesco, Guy Mathias, Chair of the Food & Drink Security Association (FDSA) and Chair of the Cross-sector Safety and Security Communications (CSSE) Eastern Region; and Gary Simpson, Senior Vice President Operations UK & Director of Security, Safety & Risk (Europe), ASM Global shared their experiences of conquering resistance to security ideas within business and securing buy-in for cutting-edge security solutions to keep their organisations safe.

In a fascinating presentation, The changing landscape of risk: Deepfakes and fraud, Paul Maskall, Strategic Fraud Prevention and Behavioural Lead, UK Finance Maskell equipped delegates with essential behavioural management techniques they can implement to strengthen their organisation’s defences against deepfakes and other AI-powered scams; empower their employees to identify and avoid sophisticated fraud attempts and proactively address the cultural and psychological factors that make organisations vulnerable.

In ‘People & projects: Exploring the relationship between security and the user experience’ moderator, Baxi Motylska, Director, CPTED invited Bruce Braes, Head of Security Consulting, Buro Happold; Erik Nord, Industry Subject Matter Expert – Cloud Solutions, acre security; Andrew Wooton, Professor of Human-Centred Design Innovation and Director of the Design Against Crime Solution Centre at the University of Salford and Garry Bergin, Commercial Manager & Security Consultant, Manguard Plus to dissect the future of security in the built environment.

Following a 40-minute networking break, Ari Dinar, Director of Sales, EMEAI, Eagle Eye Networks, asked How can security leaders prepare for a future of AI and Cloud?   In this insightful presentation, Dinar discussed what security leaders and organisations need to do to prepare for a future where security is not just a cost centre but a strategic advantage, empowering businesses to thrive in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.

With Rick Mounfield as moderator, Dinar was joined by Bhanu Goud, Consultant, The British Library and Amy Worthy, Head of UK Sales, Morse Watchmans for the discussion, ‘The Security Triangle: Technology, officers & architecture for complete protection.’  Together,they examined the three pillars of holistic security: technology, officers and defensive architecture and how they combine to create impenetrable security system – a seamless shield that guards your organisation from every angle.

Chaired by Philip Ingram MBE,  ‘Beyond the badge: Measuring and maximising the value of frontline security‘, with Dan Humphreys, Venue Security Manager, Co-op Live, Michelle Russell, Chief Executive, Security Industry Authority and Alan Thresher – Director Enterprise and Strategic Accounts, G4S panellists explaining how a lack of investment in training, equipment and officer well-being can create hidden security risks.

In ‘Do you know the IOT vulnerabilities in your technical security solution?’ moderated by Rick Mounfield, Jason Hunter, National High Security Manager UK, Gallager Security; Andrew Sieradzki, Chief Technical Officer, Cipher 10 and Dr. Beverly McCann, Director of Product, Darktrace discussed building trust in technology and the importance of Cyber Assurance in Physical Security Systems (CAPSS), approaching the topic from the perspective of manufacturer, defender and hostile actor.

Following a buffet style networking lunch, delegates returned to their their seats for ‘The enemy within: Lessons for leaders’ a presentation by Pippa Gregory, Senior Behavioural Investigative Adviser, National Crime Agency. Gregory took delegates on a walk along the pathway to insider threat; outlining the predispositions and stressors most associated with insider activity and shining a light on the behaviours of concern that we need to be looking out for within our workforce so we can intervene before they become problematic. Gregory exploared how inappropriate organisational responses – doing too much, too little, or the wrong thing – can facilitate or even accelerate a disgruntled employee’s movement towards an insider event.

Continuing this theme, Gregory remained on-stage for the next pane; debate, ‘From hire to higher: Why continuing vetting is essential for long-term security.’ She was joined, Neil Beetlestone, Regional Head of Protective Security Operations UK and Europe, HSBC, Dan Lomas, Assistant Professor, International Relations, School of Politics and International, University of Nottingham and Shivindra Pratap Singh, Manging Director, Lancers Risk Consulting as panellists.WithClarke Jarrett, Director of Special Projects, AHNA Group; Former Counter Terrorism Commander to moderate, they discussed the importance of continuous vetting for maintaining a high bar for employee qualifications and experience; ensuring adherence to evolving industry regulations and legal requirements for vetting; identifying and addressing potential red flags that could indicate security vulnerabilities and promoting a culture of security awareness within your organisation.

‘In Social Media Auditors: Will you be a victim of YouTube?’ Jennifer Ciolfi, Senior Regional Security Manager, EMEA, Snapchat; Scott Hamer, Senior Strategic Security Manager, Royal Albert Hall; Matt Hull, Head of Security, UK & Ireland, Alstom; Peter Greener, Director UK & Ireland, Irisity and Angus Taylor, Foreign Commonwealth Development Office discussed the steps that should be taken to assess the intent of the auditor, without being confrontational, in line with the NPSAs recommendation of a CALM approach – Chat, Assess, Limit, Monitor.

Following another 40-minute networking break, Keeva Gilchrist, Learning & Development Manager, PerpetuityARC, part of the Linx International Group acted as moderator for the next panel discussion ‘Are you a security leader… or a follower? Strategies for building high-performing security teams’. She was joined by Eddie Marrett, Head of Security and Safeguards, Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS); Megan Clarke, Nuclear Graduate seconded to National Restoration Services (NRS); and Dennis Roe, Security Consultant, Independent End Point Assessor (FESS), and PhD Researcher investigating intrusion methodologies, risk quantification metrics, legislation and respective security design applications.

They concluded that a well-developed security team equipped with the latest skills and knowledge translates to a more secure organisation. By fostering a culture that prioritises growth and well-being, you will also create a more engaged and motivated workforce, leading to higher employee satisfaction and retention.

O’Driscoll returned to the stage at 16:25pm to moderate the final discussion of the day, ‘When disaster strikes: A leader’s guide to navigating a crisis.’ He was joined by Norman Heit, Global Corporate Security and Resilience Director, Vodafone; Giles Hill, Senior Security Advisor & Chair International Security Advisory Board, International SOS and Everbridge’s Samuel Trotman as they explored strategies for resource allocation, crisis communication and ensuring your organisation emerges from a crisis stronger than before.

In his closing remarks, Conference Chair Rick Mounfield reflected on the day’s learnings, outlining the key points in each discussion and important take aways for delegates. He thanked FGH Security for providing for providing the security, and the event’s commercial partners, intellectual partners, advisory panel, moderators, speakers and panellists for making the SJUK Leaders in Security Conference a world class event.

Delegates then retired to the foyer to enjoy a Networking Drinks reception hosted by the Association of Security Consultants and SJUK.

Keep your eyes peeled on the Security Journal UK LinkedIn page for exclusive speaker insights throughout the coming days and weeks.