Thinking Holidays? Think Security.

The sun is shining and there is a good chance many of you are heading away for the weekend, the week or starting to think about your holiday plans.  However, when planning a holiday we should also consider the security of our home while away. Here are the top 10 things you should consider when going away:

1. Ensure you have an alarm system installed by a PSA licensed installer.  Ideally this alarm should be monitored to ensure there is a response in your absence. 
2. Ensure your key holders know of your plans to be away from home and that they will be in a position to respond should it become necessary.
3. Notify a neighbour you trust that you will be away so that they are more likely to be aware of unusual activity near your property. 
4. External lighting should be considered.  A sensor light on approach to access points to your home may be enough to deter a potential burglar.
5.  Internal lighting.  Having timers on internal lights may also be a good deterrent, making it less obvious that the home is empty for an extended period of time. 
6. Doors should be fitted with anti-snap locks making it more difficult for anyone to gain access to your home in the first place. 
7. Consideration should be given to upgrading any windows and doors which may be particularly vulnerable due to their design.  There are a wide range of products available which will allow you to upgrade locks, install security grilles or for glazing reinforcement. 
8. Don’t leave car keys or other valuable gadgets (tablets, laptops, iPods) within view or in locations that are easily accessible.  Your car is very often the most desirable asset that a burglar can access as a result of breaking into your home.  Consideration should be given to fitting a home safe. 
9. CCTV is becoming a very popular security option with costs coming down and technology improving.  This provides the option to login remotely and monitor security at your home.  Make sure your CCTV system is installed by a PSA licensed installer. 
10. Make sure you do a security check before you go away.  Lock away tools and ladders.  Always ensure that there will not be a build-up of post or deliveries in your absence.  Make sure that all of your electronic security is functioning and has been properly maintained. 

To check that your security provider holds a license or to find licensed security service providers, visit the Private Security Authority’s website www.psa.ogv.ie or contact the Irish Security Industry Association Tel: 01-4847206 or www.isia.ie. 

For assistance with identifying the right security provider for your needs please use the find a supplier section of the ISIA website.  

About the Irish Security Industry Association (ISIA)

The ISIA was established in 1972 and represents security companies across eight divisions of private security.  The members of the ISIA are representative of approximately 70 per cent of both the turnover and the employees in the industry.  The ISIA represents over 90 per cent of the cash-in-transit industry.  

New Standard for CCTV & Alarm Monitoring

The new standard for the licensing of CCTV Monitoring Centres and Alarm Monitoring Centres entitled "PSA Licensing Requirements - CCTV Monitoring and Alarm Monitoring Centres (PSA 33:2014)" has now been published.  

Read the full story here.  

ISIA Re-elects First Female President

The members of the Irish Security Industry Association re-elected its first female President, Sheenagh McCullagh, for a second year at the ISIA's AGM earlier this month.  Alan Durnan, of Brinks Ireland, was elected as Vice President.

Read the full story here.

Secure Data Destruction Seminar

Secure Data Destruction Seminar 

To launch the introduction of its Secure Data Destruction Division, the Irish Security Industry Association (ISIA) will be holding a seminar on the 26^th March at 10am in the Fitzwilliam Hotel on the topic of handling information destruction securely and the associated data protection challenges. 

Risks

Entrusting a supplier with sensitive or personal information to be destroyed is a serious decision.  There are numerous concerns associated with the holding of data in your own organisation, never mind the risks when handing over the data, for which you are responsible, to a third party.

During this seminar we will explore the current data protection landscape, the risks and challenges that need to be considered when implementing a best practice data protection policy and finally what you should expect from your disposal partner of choice. 

Managing Data Destruction

Following in the footsteps of its associate, the British Security Industry Association (BSIA), the ISIA has recently introduced a Secure Data Destruction Division.  The Chairman of the division Richard McIlwaine-Biggins stated that, “by bringing together key players in the industry we plan to raise standards in this sector, protect end users of information destruction services and ultimately protect the individuals and businesses whose personal and sensitive information may be contained in hard or soft copy”.

Seminar Details

Date: Wednesday 26^th March 2014

Venue: Fitzwilliam Hotel, Dublin 2

Time: 10:00 – 12:00

Speakers

Alan O’Grady, Data Protection Commissioner’s Office

Dr. John Ghent, Director, Sytorus

Richard McIlwaine-Biggins, SDD Chairman, Irish Security Industry Association

How to Book

The seminar is FREE to attend, but we ask delegates to please reserve their place in advance by emailing events@isia.ie or call 01-4847206.  Further information is available at http://isia.ie/secure-data-destruction-seminar. 

For further information please contact:

Sarah O’Donnell, Communications Director

Telephone: 01-4847206/Mobile: 087-2229127

Email: sarahodonnell@isia.ie

www.isia.ie

Security Conference at FM Ireland 5-6 March 2014

Security is a big part of the facilities management mix.  Therefore, it should be no surprise that this area of FM is extensively covered at FM Ireland being held on the 5-6 March 2014 in the RDS, Dublin.

Make sure to stop by and visit the ISIA at stand E14 and there will a range of security topics covered as part of the ISIA supported Security Conference Stream.

To find out more click here.

ISIA Awards 2013 - Celebrating the Best in Private Security

The ISIA Awards 2013 were held on the 23rd November in The Powerscourt Hotel.  The awards were attended by over 250 guests and celebrated outstanding individuals across different sectors of the private security industry in Ireland.  This year there were nine award categories and the Irish Security Industry Association (ISIA) also celebrated the contribution to the industry and the ISIA by former Council of Management member, Les McLindon.  McLindon was awarded with honorary life membership of the association.

To read a full overview of the highlights from the night click here or relive the excitement of the night by checking out our video here.

Thank you to all of the members for supporting the event and of course a very big thank you to all of our sponsors, the ISIA Awards would not be possible without you.

Sponsors of the ISIA Awards 2013  

 

 

ISIA Awards 2013 - Details Announced

The Irish Security Industry Association (ISIA) has launched the details of the ISIA Awards 2013 which will be held on the 23^rd November 2013.  The Irish Security Industry Association (ISIA) each year highlights the achievements of the private security industry at its Annual Awards.  The ISIA Awards 2013 will be held in the Ritz Carlton, Powerscourt, Co. Wicklow and is promising to be our biggest event to date.  “The key to the success of the ISIA awards is the way it celebrates the outstanding achievements of member companies and their people” said Sheenagh McCullagh, President of the ISIA. 

This year the ISIA is thrilled to announce two new award categories.  For the first time ever, the ISIA will celebrate those locksmiths who are valued by their clients.  Sarah O’Donnell, Communications Director explained, “the ISIA Locksmith of the Year award is really a customer’s choice award.  ISIA locksmiths make the nomination survey available to their client base and it is the customer that selects the winner.  We are really pleased we were in a position to introduce this category as it should increase awareness about the importance of this area in the overall security strategy”. 

Popular individual awards will of course be present again this year such as the Security Officer of the Year Award, Event Security Person Award and the Security Supervisor of the Year Award introduced for the first time last year.  The ISIA Awards 2013 will also recognise Electronic Security as part of the event with a category introduced for these individuals.  “Last year we started to recognise people in the electronic security sector with the ISIA FÁS Apprentice award, but this really opens things up to those long standing professionals in the industry who have not come through and apprenticeship” said McCullagh. 

The Innovation in Security award introduced in 2011 was introduced to encourage companies in private security to foster a culture of innovation.  This award will feature again in 2013.  The past two recipients of this award were Niscayah (now Stanley Security Solutions) in 2011 and last year’s winner was TDS.  “We are really looking forward to this year’s submissions.  Innovation is a recognised component for success and it is has been wonderful to see how many companies is the security industry recognise this” said O’Donnell. 

Nominations are open to the members of the Irish Security Industry Association and must be submitted by the 4^th October 2013.  Sponsorship packages are still available.  

All of the ISIA Awards 2013 details may be found here.  

Thank you to the sponsors of the ISIA Awards 2013!