Another year of landmark cyber attacks on critical infrastructure, gruelling supply chain challenges, and wiser-than-ever cyber criminals has passed, but certainly not without profound impact. Across industries, cyber security experts watched as bad actors grew more intelligent and learned to circumnavigate organisations’ existing protective measures. This sight was perhaps most arresting for mission critical solutions providers in the government, defence, utility, and industrial sectors.  

Health and safety and security management share many key elements. Their main priorities are keeping people safe and allowing organisations to keep functioning. Both disciplines are legally based, so occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals and security professionals need to keep up to date with upcoming legislation.

Following our exclusive publication of the Pool Re SOLUTIONS Annual Review 2021, CTB shares an exclusive interview with Ed Butler concerning contemporary threats, the impact of climate change on the terrorism and the importance of collaboration
Ed, your annual review certainly made for an interesting albeit daunting read. Is our current security situation really that bleak?

This month, the government approved Cyber Essentials scheme receives the biggest overhaul to date. The significant changes to the technical requirements in the scheme reflect the security challenges in today's digital world.

The UK’s Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy set out the country’s ambition to be a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and data technologies.

The long awaited government response to the Martyn’s Law (UK Protect Duty) consultation was published on 10 January, the same day that the government’s representative from the Homeland Security Group (formerly the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism) gave their final evidence to the Manchester Arena Inquiry. The ensuing, ferocious, questioning of Mr Shaun Hipgrave perhaps summarised how many felt about the government document.

Covid-19 emerged and was quickly followed by a slew of lockdowns and restrictions. At first, these events seemed to play into the hands of law enforcement and all those engaged in counter-terrorism. Put simply with people stuck at home and not gathering on public transport, at venues, or in office skyscrapers, terrorist targets were hugely reduced. Then right at the end of last year UK police said they had foiled what they called seven ‘late stage’ terrorist attacks since the start of the pandemic.

Imagine for one minute that you are a terrorist. Perhaps you belong to a known group like Al Qaeda (AQ) or Islamic State (ISIS) or Al Shabaab. Perhaps you see yourself as part of these organisations or are just ‘inspired’ by them.
Imagine also that you have been planning for the ‘big one’ for some time now. This plan will end in a spectacular attack that will capture the attention of the world. You may die in the process but you will be famous (or should that be ‘infamous’?).

Ed Butler CBE, DSO, Chief Resilience Officer at Pool Re, explains how two decades of disruption has shaped todays’ fight against terrorism and extremism

416 years ago today the ‘Gunpowder Plot’ to blow up the House of Lords was disrupted, accredited to an anonymous letter sent to the authorities.