Security Specialists Focus On Global Issues With Local Impact

The bar bombing in Bali; the Twin Towers’ tragedy; and ongoing terrorist acts in the Middle East are clear evidence that global experience can have a local impact.

Global Experience; Local Impact is the theme for the New Zealand Security Association symposium to be held in Christchurch June 19 –20.

Association Executive Director Barrie Cooper says international incidents of terrorism have highlighted the crucial need for sophisticated, effective security strategies and products.

A number of the world’s experts in different fields of the security industry will present at the symposium, giving their views on how the world and New Zealand need to act to protect themselves from the fallout of terrorism and other destructive acts.

The industry is looking forward, rather the over its shoulder, Mr Cooper says.

“We must learn from the lessons of the past but there will always be new challenges in security to overcome and we need to be ready for them.”

He says one of the most interesting speakers will be Robert Cizmadia, director of corporate security services at Gage-Babcock and Associates, a global consultancy and engineering firm providing security and fire protection services.

Mr Cizmadia played an integral role at The Pentagon following the events of September 11, 2001.

His presentation – “Security Beyond 2015 – Science Fiction is reality” covers developments such as holographic technology, “smart” buildings, virtual reality and artificial intelligence.

Wearable smart materials, cyberware technology, smart card technology and human chip implants are all part of tomorrow’s science fiction security reality, Mr Cizmadia says.

We might see pill-sized video cameras, nanorobots, teleportation systems the like of which we only ever expected to see on Star Trek.

“Bob Cizmadia is a fascinating speaker who we expect to generate considerable media and public interest,” Mr Cooper says.

Other international speakers include Howard Moster, senior partner of the Practical Protection Association in Alberta, Canada, providing security management throughout North America who will speak on Security Systems Infrastructure and five year plans.

And Neil Fergus CEO of Intelligent Risks, a Australian leader in strategic security planning, security risk management, infrastructure protection and event security. Mr Fergus had 20 years experience with the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and will be speaking on terrorism in the Asia Pacific region – current and future.

There will also be two video conference sessions. Lawrence Berenson, Chairman of the ASIS (American Society for Industrial Security) Disaster Management Council will present the Three Rs of Crisis Management and Ken Brady, principal and chief executive officer of Crisis Management Associates, will present on the Basics of Crisis Management Planning.

“These people are highly respected internationally and we have a lot of learn from their experience. The way the world is going, it is certainly important that we do,” Mr Cooper says.

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