UPFRONT: NZSA e-Newsletter

UPFRONT: NZSA e-Newsletter

December 2003

Vol 2 No#11

Dear Editor

2003 has been a year of real achievement for your association, with strengthening of our relationships with the Crown, the police and the insurance industry. Final touches are being made to the historical Memorandum of Understanding between the New Zealand Police and the NZSA, and this should be ready for signing early in the New Year. Quiet but steady progress has been made on the revision of the Private Investigators & Security Guards Act, and we are well positioned to effect positive change for our industry as this Bill passes through the legislative process. Our profile continues to grow through marketing initiatives and media relations, and membership now exceeds 400 companies and associates. We extend a warm welcome to all new vehicle security providers now part of our association, thanks largely to the passion and vision of Terry Creagh. On behalf of all Board members and your hard-working Executive Director Barrie Cooper I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2004.

Kind regards

Scott Carter Chairman NZSA Website Membership Application Links NEW MEMBERS We would like to welcome all our new members this year. If you know of anyone in the Security Industry who is not a member of NZSA, ask them to call us and we will send them an information pack about the Association. Invite them to the next regional meeting in your area as your guest, and let them know what is happening with upcoming events. TELL OTHERS ABOUT THE e-NEWSLETTER NZSA wish for as many people as possible to receive this e-newsletter. Please tell colleagues and staff and get them to subscribe. There is no cost. Click here to subscribe. A SPOT☻OF TRIVIA To the optimist, the glass is half full. The pessimist thinks the glass is half empty. The engineer reckons that the glass is twice as big as it needs to be!

Index

1. NZSA Announces Christmas Marketing Campaign Public Awareness of some Do's and Don'ts to make for a better Christmas vacation

2. Regional Updates What is happening in your region

3. NZSA Website Check us out!

4. Yellow Pages Link Yourself NZSA Announces Christmas Marketing Campaign

At this time of the year the NZSA are making the public aware of some Do's and Don'ts in making their Christmas vacation that much better. Following are three articles that have been written for that purpose:

SENSITIVE COMPANY DOCUMENTATION AT RISK

As many companies close their doors for Christmas, the New Zealand Security Association says it is a good time to take stock of company security measures, to protect both their reputation and profitability. Association chairman Scott Carter says, “Company records containing information such as budgets, monthly profit and loss accounts, discount schedules, personnel records, client and supplier lists are deadly in competitors’ hands.” While not as negotiable as cash, this information has been deemed by the Department for Courts to have such importance as coming under the Private Investigators and Security Guards Act (1974). “The Dept for Courts has ruled that all personnel involved in the transportation, destruction and storage being licensed under the Act, and that companies that use external document destruction companies or records management companies should ask to see the guard’s licence before valuable company information is handed over to be taken off site,” Mr Carter says. The New Zealand Security Association has a Code of Practice for Secure Destruction that member companies must follow. Companies can perform a simple audit, Mr Carter says, to check their document security arrangements are up to scratch.

Check staff rubbish bins…are you happy that the information on the pages in these rubbish bins, should go into a skip, and from there to a recycling depot or landfill? Do the cleaners dispose of your “waste paper” or is there a process for its secure removal and destruction? Check the process. If you have an external provider for storage or shredding of documents, ask the staff for their Security Guards Licence.

Mr Carter relates a true story which illustrates how easily security arrangements can be undermined. “The cleaners would take this company’s ‘scrap paper’ and give it to their local kindergarten for drawing on the reverse side. Proud parents then had their child’s drawing on the reverse of the company’s latest restructuring plans. It was not malicious, but it could have had a devastating effect.”

PLAN FOR A HOLIDAY BREAK – NOT BREAK-IN

Amidst the enthusiasm that we all feel as our Christmas holidays approach it is all too easy to overlook the important matter of the security of our homes while we are away. The New Zealand Security Association warns however, that it is during the holidays, that our homes and valuable possessions are more likely to be targeted by burglars. History shows that many people return home after a well-earned holiday to find that their house has been burgled. The NZSA advises that there are many common sense things that can be done to avoid your home being targeted by burglars such as having someone clear your mail, putting lights and appliances on a timer and having a neighbour park their car in your drive or put their washing on your line to give the appearance that the house is occupied. One of the better measures that can be taken is to have a security alarm system installed. Scott Carter, chairman of the NZSA, says when that alarm is being installed, it makes sense to have smoke detectors put in at the same time. “We recommend the alarm system is both installed and monitored by businesses who are members of the NZSA, as they should be trained and accredited professionals.” Mr Carter says. “Having the security alarm system monitored gives you the comfort of knowing that there will always be a professional response to any extraordinary activity on your alarm system. For even greater peace of mind, the NZSA recommends using a security patrol service. “Their key role is the prevention or detection of unlawful or unauthorised entry on to premises and the prevention and or detection of offences,” Mr Carter says. The NZSA says security officers must be creditworthy and without criminal Background and all officers must receive adequate and regular training, including related law, practical arrest and search, evidence, fire prevention, first aid, and co-operation with law enforcement agencies. They must hold a security licence, wear a readily identifiable uniform bearing insignia that will identify the officer with his employer and indicating that he/she is a security officer and vehicles must be similarly identified. “Most patrol work is for commercial premises outside normal working hours; however, an increasing number of residential suburbs or communities are engaging professional security firms to patrol their streets,” Mr Carter says. “Most businesses, and now many home owners, are arranging additional security checks by these professional security firms over the holiday period.” For more information and an NZSA buyers guide check out www.security.org.nz

KEEP YOUR CAR FOR CHRISTMAS

Ho ho..oh no! What kind of Christmas will it be this year if someone steals or breaks into your car? The New Zealand Security Association says the holidays period is traditionally marred by an increase in the number of car theft and break ins, but that with a little extra care and forethought, many opportunistic acts could be avoided. “Leading up to Christmas, people are busy and preoccupied. They might pop into a shop to pick up some gifts and think they’ll only be a minute and not lock the car – or even leave the keys in the ignition. That’s long enough for a thief to help himself to the car’s content, or the car itself,” says Scott Carter, chairman of the NZSA. The NZSA points out people on holiday, traveling in unfamiliar areas, are sometimes less careful than they are in their own environment. “They tend to think if they’re on a break, the thieves are too. That’s anything but the case,” Mr Carter says. “They love relaxed holidaymakers who leave wallets, cameras, portable CD players, and designer sunglasses in full view so they know which cars are worth breaking into.” The following are some basic vehicle security tips from the NZSA to ensure everyone keeps their car for Christmas.

Close and lock all doors, windows, boots and sunroofs whenever you leave your car – however briefly, even if just paying for petrol. Always remove the ignition key if you are not in the car. Set your car alarm if the process is not automatic. Use any other security devices fitted – make it as hard as possible for a potential thief. Conceal any valuables or personal possessions – they’re a magnet for thieves. Lock these items in the boot of the car if need be. Don’t leave money, bankbooks, money cards in the car All equipment such as radio/CD/cassette players should be marked and serial numbers noted. If you park your car in a garage, lock both the car and the garage When parking in a public space, always leave the vehicle in a well-lit and well spaced location, preferably visible to passers by.

The NZSA says securing your vehicle with a reputable car alarm and immobiliser is a wise investment at any time. “But making sure it is installed and operational before your holiday is wiser still,” Mr Carter says. “Most quality brands of car alarms now have their security level star rated by the New Zealand Security Association: one to five stars, five being the highest. Purchasing an alarm can be confusing when taking into consideration, your requirements, your vehicle technical requirements and possibly that of your insurance company.”

The NZSA offers the following advice. Check with your insurance company if they offer any concessions or rewards. If so, what NZSA star rating do they require for your vehicle to comply? Only choose a product that has been NZSA star-rated and to your desired level. (see www.security.org.nz for a list of rated brands and products) Ask about optional convenience features, remote central locking is commonly available as well as a host of others. Check the cost of installation and be sure the installer is certified by the NZSA. All certified installers are professionals with necessary training, expertise and security clearance. (see www.security.org.nz for a list of certified installers) Have it installed before you need it.

The NZSA wishes all motorists a safe and secure Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

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Regional Updates

Northern Region

Please note meetings are held on the last Tuesday of every second month. Accordingly, the next meeting will be held on Tuesday 24 February 2004. Mark your diaries now!

For further information, contact Steve Minogue: steve.minogue@iag.co.nz

Central Region

Watch this space for details on the first meeting for 2004

For further information, contact Rogan Maxwell: maxwell@rexel.co.nz

Southern Region

Watch this space for details on the first meeting for 2004

For further information, contact Shaun Knapp: shaunk@actionalarms.co.nz

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WEBSITE: www.security.org.nz If you require the access password to the Members Only section, please don't hesitate to call us and we will give it to you. This is for members only. Please keep this password information strictly confidential to NZSA members.

Your feedback on the website content will be welcomed and if you have any suggestions, please let us know.

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Yellow Pages

YELLOWPAGES www.yellowpages.co.nz NZSA have a their logo listed on the Yellow Pages web site - open the site, 'hit' Associations box on bottom right hand side then 'hit' the NZSA logo. This lists all our members throughout the country. You can extend this page by having more detail attached. Contact Robin Dowe on (09) 525 3430 ext 94216 or email robin.dowe@yellowpages.co.nz

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