THE NEW ‘failure to prevent fraud’ offence proposed by the Home Office will make it easier to prosecute a large organisation if an employee commits fraud for that organisation’s benefit. If an act of fraud is committed by an employee of an organisation, that organisation must be able to demonstrate it had reasonable measures in place to deter the offending or otherwise risk receiving an unlimited fine.

The proposed legislation, to be introduced through the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill, encourages businesses to do more to deter offending, which will help in the bid to cut crime and protect consumers, investors, other businesses and the taxpayer from fraudulent practices.

The Home Office has tabled an amendment to introduce the failure to prevent fraud offence, which is actively supported by the Serious Fraud Office and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Security Minister Tom Tugendhat observed: “We are determined to crack down on unscrupulous companies that seek to defraud their customers. Our new ‘failure to prevent fraud’ offence will protect consumers from dishonest and misleading sales practices, and also level the playing field for the majority of businesses that behave responsibly.”

Further, Tugendhat noted: “This Government is committed to fighting economic crime, as demonstrated by our recently launched Economic Crime Plan 2, which sets out how we will give law enforcement more state-of-the-art resources to tackle high-level offending.”

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MITIE HAS moved to further develop its security intelligence offer with the acquisition of the Linx International Group – itself a highly respected risk management consulting business, which also provides technical and management training to the security industry – in a £1.2 million deal.

The acquisition is on a debt-free, cash-free basis. For the 12 months ending in December 2022, the Linx International Group generated revenues of £2.5 million and a profit before tax of £0.2 million. The business lists gross assets of £3.6 million.

Underpinned by over 35 years’ experience of delivering unrivalled security consultancy and training services, the Linx International Group is formed of three service lines, which will now form part of the Mitie Security offer.

Linx Consulting provides a range of specialist security, risk management and investigative services to international clients. These include security risk assessments, security design, fraud and commercial malpractice investigations, contingency planning and crisis management.

The consulting team works with clients in all sectors and of all sizes and is retained as a specialist advisor by several household names in the fast-moving consumer goods, electronics and pharmaceutical sectors.

PerpetuityARC provides extensive security management training, covering everything from security risk assessments to kidnap and ransom management. It was also the first private company to offer a Master’s degree in International Security and Risk Management, which is delivered in partnership with the University of West London. Further, PerpetuityARC is the exclusive education partner for The Security Institute.

Tavcom provides award-winning technical security skills training, offering over 100 technical training courses for installers, operators, managers and designers of security systems. These courses cover a range of disciplines such as system design, installation and maintenance for video surveillance systems, fire alarms and access control solutions.

Tavcom also manages the Certified Technical Security Professionals Register for electronic security and fire systems practitioners.

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AGREEMENT HAS been reached on a new plan designed to crack down on money laundering, kleptocracy and sanctions evasion. The Economic Crime Plan 2 builds on the foundations of its predecessor with new actions to improve the system-wide response to economic crime through enhanced co-operation between Government, law enforcement, supervisory agencies and the private sector.

The response to economic crime will be bolstered by 475 new and highly trained financial crime investigators, spread across intelligence, enforcement and asset recovery at key agencies. This increased capacity will be targeted toward the detection and disruption of money laundering and the recovery of an additional £1 billion in criminal assets across the next decade.   

Building on the Government’s “unprecedented package” of sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the National Crime Agency’s Combating Kleptocracy Cell will be expanded to target more corrupt elites and their enablers, while consolidating the effectiveness of UK sanctions.   

As criminals seek new ways in which to launder their profits, the Government is investing £100 million in cutting-edge technology, including data analytics, to equip law enforcement with the tools they need to stay one step ahead.

A new multi-agency Crypto Cell will be established that combines law enforcement and regulators to pool expertise and more effectively identify, seize and store illicit crypto assets.

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STATE-SPONSORED attempts at stealing sensitive research and information can undermine UK businesses and harm competitiveness for the home nations on the world stage. That being so, the Government has announced the creation of the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) to help businesses and organisations alike defend themselves against national security threats.

The new body, which has been established as part of MI5, will increase the UK’s resilience to state threats as well as terrorism and, in tandem, play an important part in strengthening economic security.

The NPSA has absorbed the responsibilities of the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure, but enjoys a broader remit. This reflects the fact that the threats facing the UK today extend far beyond Critical National Infrastructure.

Advice will be provided in an accessible and informative way such that it can be understood and used by a broad range of private and public sector organisations, including tech start-ups, businesses, event venues and universities.

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Due to our continued expansion, FTL Secure Solutions has a number of Vacancies for Senior Account Executives.

Job Description.

You will be responsible for the sales process from lead generation to ongoing sales and account management.

You must have experience working with the following secure solutions services; Access Control, CCTV, Intruder Alarms.

Desired – Biometric Solutions, Time & Attendance Systems, Visitor Management Systems & Video/Audio Intercoms.

This role requires candidates with the ability to identify sales opportunities, manage multiple clients, plan and prioritise workloads along with being target driven. A proven track record in security sales solutions with the ability to develop new and existing relationships with key stakeholders and deliver tangible business value is required.

The successful candidates will have the opportunity for career advancement and progression and join a loyal and dedicated team.

Attractive basic salary dependant on experience
Uncapped monthly commission structure, annual bonus and additional sales incentives.
Company car, pension, and private healthcare.

We are an equal opportunities employer.

Job Type: Full-time

If this sounds like you, please email a copy of your C.V to grace.vincent@fibre.co.uk

You can find more details on our Vacancies page.

About FTL Secure Solutions

FTL Secure Solutions is an NSI NACOSS Gold Accredited Security Solutions installer with specialisms in Intruder Alarms,

We help a broad base of clients across multiple sectors in the United Kingdom with their security requirements. As a result, our experience in security system maintenance and installations ranges from the single door of access control through to multi-site, multi-campus integrated security networks.

As a division of Fibre Technologies Ltd we have the benefit of over 30 years’ experience in IP based solutions and networking. It is this background that enables us to offer significant expertise in the design and implementation of modern IP based security systems.

Health & Safety and high standards of workmanship are paramount at FTL Secure Solutions. As a result, we are proud to display our Constructionline, CHAS, Safecontractor and NSI NACOSS Gold accreditations on our website and literature. Our on-site Project Managers ensure all work on site meets the high standards we set ourselves.

SECURITY SOLUTIONS manufacturer Gallagher – a key technology partner of FTL Secure Solutions – has been awarded the Outstanding Security Equipment Manufacturer accolade at the 2023 UK Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs).

The Outstanding Security Equipment Manufacturer category was created to recognise outstanding performance in manufacturing a leading-edge security product (or products), which has produced clear beneficial results for customers.

On winning the award, Richard Huison (Gallagher’s regional general manager for the UK and Europe) said: “We are proud to win this award and to be recognised for our dedication to creating solutions that deliver compelling value for our customers.” 

Huison continued: “Here at Gallagher, we pride ourselves on being a vertically integrated manufacturer and being able to design and manufacture our solutions on-site at our global headquarters. We’ve developed highly trusted relationships with our supply chain, which has ensured that we remain in a strong position despite challenges in the market.”

Further, Huison noted: “Customers are at the very heart of what we do, and we work hard to meet market needs and anticipate demand through extensive research and the close relationships we hold with end users and channel partners across the globe.”

Trusted solutions

Driven to revolutionise the way in which organisations around the world protect and manage their people and assets, Gallagher designs and manufactures access control, perimeter protection and intruder alarm-focused security solutions.

Gallagher’s solutions are trusted to protect some of the world’s most high-consequence assets and locations and certified to the highest level of national security in the UK, the US, Australia and New Zealand,

The OSPAs recognise and reward companies, people and innovation across the security sector in many countries. The UK OSPAs ceremony took place on Thursday 23 February at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in central London.

Pictured above are Gordon Swallow (centre) and Matt Jones (right) collecting the prestigious award on behalf of the business.

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New state-of-the-art CCTV cameras have started to be installed in Warsop as part of a major community safety project.

The high-spec cameras can rotate to give a 360-degree street view and are being installed around the area including the High Street.  

They are part of a huge package of crime reduction measures being paid for by national Safer Streets funding, after the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire was successful in a bid for £3 million for projects across the city and county.

Over £300,000 of community safety measures and improvements are being carried out in Warsop and other parts of the Mansfield district, delivered in partnership with Mansfield District Council, the police and other support agencies. 

So far eight of 11 new cameras have been installed. They are being put up in Carr Lane Park, Coral Crescent, Clumber Street, Sherwood Street and The Carrs Local Nature Reserve.  

As part of the wider project for the area, new automatic number plate recognition cameras have also been added to help the police catch law breakers in the area. 

The camera at The Carrs, near the children’s play area, uses the latest technology to act as a safe point. These safe points are monitored 24 hours a day and will allow people in distress to press a button on the camera column which gives them direct access to the council’s CCTV control room to ask for help.

Staff in the control room will be able to advice the person asking for help immediately and direct them to their nearest “Safe Space” or, if necessary, ask the police to attend.

Safe Spaces are places such as local shops and businesses that have signed up for CCTV cameras and special staff training in how to support people who come through their doors looking for help.

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Chinese CCTV cameras are being used at Army bases over a year since they should have been replaced, it has emerged.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) directed in November 2021 that all cameras supplied by two Chinese firms with links to Beijing’s spy agencies should have been taken down.

The Chinese technology companies Hikvision and Dahua have long been linked with the People’s Liberation Army of China, although they deny handing any data to the Ministry of State Security, an internal spy agency.

However, as both companies are subject to China’s national intelligence law, they are required to hand over any information the country’s police and intelligence services require. 

The controversial cameras are currently installed at sites including Hyde Park Barracks, home to the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, responsible for ceremonial duties including the upcoming Coronation of King Charles III on May 6. 

Other locations include the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, south-east London, where the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery is based.

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Event security remains an ever-growing concern. Public events have been the targets in the past, meaning security leaders have tightened event safety procedures. Large events, such the Super Bowl, often require additional security to keep entertainment, staff and guests safe throughout the event. However, large events can also become targets for phishing and other cyberattacks. As security leaders plan and enforce an event’s physical safety measures, an event should prepare an equally thorough cybersecurity plan. 

Rafal Los, Head of Services GTM at ExtraHop, shared his thoughts on stadium cybersecurity ahead of the Super Bowl:

What threats should security leaders watch out for during the Super Bowl?

“As with any big public events, hackers will exploit the event to try and drive users to click on or open malicious links or items. Phishing using Super Bowl themed content will likely be prevalent. Hackers count on people getting caught up in the hype of the sporting event to let their guard down and click on something that looks like it came from a friend or other trusted source, with some tie-in to the event. The inevitable goal is one of the same few — get you to divulge your credentials to something like Office 365 or your bank or install malware or ransomware on your computer.”