Posts By: Jacob Charles

Rising to the challenge

Anna Averkiou reports on how changing patterns of violence pose new challenges for public transport The UK has just witnessed the biggest security operation in its history for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Upwards of a million people flocked to central London, the Royal Palaces, public viewing screens and funeral routes around the… Read more »

Up, up and away

Richard Hjelmberg explores the current technological trends of helicopter drones Mid-size Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) have increased in popularity across both military and civilian domains to such an extent that organisations are no longer questioning the need for them; but rather the question is now: how much the UASs they… Read more »

All busy on the northern front

Barry Scott Zellen, PhD, reports as war in Ukraine persists, NATO reinforces its Northern flanks and the USA refocuses its attention on the Arctic Region With war in the Ukraine now approaching a year of hostilities, many observers expect the conflict to persist well into the new year, with the spectre of escalation worrying many… Read more »

The road ahead

Bernard Montel examines the driving factors evolving automotive cybersecurity The first known vehicle theft occurred in 1896 when Baron de Zuylen, founder of the Automobile Club of France, had his Peugeot stolen by a mechanic in Paris. This catalysed the development of car security systems, advancing from a lock and key device, defending against petty… Read more »

Knowledge is power

Oliver Paterson warns about the importance of training security personnel to ensure they are prepared for the worst eventuality No company is safe from the possibility of cyber attacks, regardless of how big or small they are. This is clear as cyber crime cases are increasing year on year, especially during the peak of the… Read more »

False sense of security

Stuart Jubb explores the multifaceted challenge of addressing cybersecurity in critical national infrastructure and what the chief information security officer can do The Russian invasion of Ukraine began in cyberspace. According to UK intelligence services, Russia was almost certainly responsible for an attack on a Ukrainian communications provider an hour before the invasion and cyber… Read more »

Rising tension

Robert Hall questions whether or not we are in for civil unrest as we appear to face the winter of discontent to end all winters of discontent Mark Twain is reported to have said that: “History doesn’t repeat itself but it often rhymes”. This is true of civil unrest in many contexts and the echoes… Read more »

Trouble brewing

Tamara Naidoo explains how fragmentation within the ANC could lead to political turmoil in the lead up to the general elections This July, former South African president Thabo Mbeki warned that South Africa will experience an Arab Spring-like uprising, due to dissatisfaction with rising living costs and disillusionment with the political leadership. His comments naturally… Read more »

The X Factor

Matt Clark explains why the versatility, effectiveness and ever evolving nature of X-ray makes it the cornerstone security screening technology It is a sobering reality that we face an array of complex and evolving security threats, presenting real danger to lives and putting assets at risk. The good news is that there are multiple layers… Read more »

Cracking the code

Derek Wang explains why QR codes hold the key to access control Physical access control systems (PACS) are crucial for any organisation that wishes to secure access to its premises. While some small organisations may still opt for a traditional lock and key approach, the vast majority have decided to steer more towards keyless, contactless… Read more »