Case Study: NHS Lone Working – Anita Pannu, Lone Worker Contract Manager,
NHS Security Management Service

Anita Pannu from the NHS Security Management Service provided the delegates with an overview of the partnership Reliance have developed with the NHS to supply a full-service protection solution for lone workers. Many NHS employees work alone in the community and face the threat of assault on a daily basis. The project has been supported by the Department of Health and has received funding for 30,000 devices to be issued to those within the NHS who spend time lone working.

After a competitive dialogue procurement process, Ms Pannu said over 11,000 NHS staff have now been provided with training in Reliance’s lone worker service. Reliance provides not only the alarm devices themselves, but also an integrated device monitoring service, which together with support from police is already improving the safety of NHS staff.

 Ms Pannu said the devices were simple to use, discreet and had the ability to capture better evidence of an incident.   Police response times have proven to be rapid in all instances where users have raised an alert that required escalation to the emergency services. On one occasion, a member of the NHS called for assistance via a mobile phone as was informed that the wait time for police assistance was 20 minutes.  On hearing this, the NHS employee activated the alarm; the police response time was within a few minutes.

Ms Pannu stated the solution is steadily gaining the confidence of NHS employees, with positive feedback received from many users of the service. “From our point of view, this has been a good example of a national programme reducing costs for the NHS,” she said.

Demonstrating the value of security & the security health check

Ken Livingstone, Perpetuity Group

Ken Livingstone from security industry consultancy and training provider Perpetuity Group (and board member of SyI), spoke about the need to consider security as an integral part of any business, acting as a product of the organisation’s mission and vision.  Livingstone stated that this approach is in contrast to the perception in many businesses that security must be an added-on feature, which tends to impede business processes and can have a negative effect on business agility.

Mr Livingstone went on to state that organisations have to ensure that their security function goes hand in glove with the aims of their organisation, whilst helping to achieve these aims. Livingstone then discussed the benefits of companies using the Security Health Check run by Perpetuity in conjunction with Reliance.

One of Perpetuity’s highly experienced consultants will visit your organisation, carry out an inspection and complete the 139 criteria questionnaire split across five sections to determine areas of strengths and weaknesses by providing you with a step by step breakdown analysis.  Your company’s performance will be benchmarked against others in your industry and is entirely confidential.  The final report will then contain overall results and recommendations provided by your assigned security consultant.

Remote Monitoring: Smart Solutions – Peter Speight,

Director of Security Risk Management, Reliance Security Services

Reliance’s security risk expert and proud Yorkshireman Peter Speight, together with John Hall from BMW, explained the successful security partnership that Reliance has developed with BMW during the last four years.

With an emphasis on addressing identified security failures and providing solutions which are designed with “suitability for purpose” in mind, Reliance worked closely with BMW to design and install a range of remote security management technologies at BMW sites. CCTV and intruder detection systems are monitored from a custom-built onsite control room, which in combination with Reliance’s own Remote Monitoring Centre (RMC) provides 24-hour alarm monitoring and rapid mobile responses or manpower support whenever required. Many security systems at BMW sites can be controlled and monitored online by security personnel or BMW staff at any remote location, using a secure internet connection.

Speight summarised Reliance’s approach to improving security at BMW, which began approximately four years ago. The project team identified key security problems and expanded on their understanding of BMW’s operating environment through risk assessments and risk audits. This process identified five main reasons for security losses at BMW:

• Failure to recognise vulnerabilities

• Failure by senior management to disseminate security culture

• Failure to use the right counter measures

• Failure to implement effective policies and procedure

• Failure to consider change

Despite excellent internal BMW policies, the risk assessments and a detailed evaluation of BMW sites identified a fragmented and uncoordinated approach to security, with a perception amongst some BMW management personnel that security offered little value or return for the business.

Following the development of a systematic business plan offering major forecasted cost savings, Reliance was given the go-ahead to implement a ‘Security by Design’ model providing protection against intrusions and vehicle theft; integrated reception and access control services; postal services and deliveries; crisis management; and business continuity planning. Each property in BMW’s UK portfolio has different security requirements, and Reliance’s involvement included the successful delivery of a custom-built solution to BMW’s Bracknell site with electric perimeter fencing, automatic number plate recognition systems, improved signage and vehicle tracking capabilities. An initial investment of £344,000 has yielded annual year-on-year cost savings for BMW of approximately £684,000.

Speight stressed that the development of successful security remote monitoring strategies for businesses is only possible by conducting thorough research into the business, its aims, and the specific risks it faces at each of its sites.

Olympics update – Fraser Halliday, Specialist Services Director,
Reliance Security Services

Reliance’s Specialist Services Director, Fraser Halliday, presented seminar attendees with a summary of the vast security and logistical challenges London will face in preparation for - and during – the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Halliday detailed Reliance’s involvement in the event, and the company’s strategic approach to the challenges that will arise.

The issues discussed included:

• UK-wide limitations on resources, trained security personnel, facilities and infrastructure

• Space and transport impacts

• Assessing the risks

• Reliance’s commitment to supporting all of the company’s existing customers

• Maintaining employee loyalty

• Planning of executive movements, protest management and business continuity

• Working with Police and local authorities to support their 2012 Olympics management strategies

Counter Terrorism measures: Nigel Brown, Counter Terrorism Security Adviser,
Greater Manchester Police

Nigel Brown from Greater Manchester Police offered seminar delegates a useful outline of police approaches to combating local terrorism threats, with the active participation of the security industry, businesses and members of the public as a whole. New guidance and a self assessment tool for companies to reduce their vulnerability of terrorism will be available at the beginning of May on the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) web site.  Various booklets are available to download to help reduce the risk of terrorism. www.nactso.gov.uk

Reliance Website

Posted by Tracy Loans 05 May 2010