Security Institute Chairman Julie Nel looks ahead to 2024
I would say 2024 is a year for great opportunity within the security industry. I know this may sound odd, but I have seen first hand how our roles within the security sector are evolving. Those who have listened to some of my presentations this year will have heard this from me already – but how has your own role changed over the last 18 months, for instance? The traditional role of Director of Security or Head of Security is morphing into such roles as Director for Organisational Resilience or Head of Risk. Organisations are learning that security professionals are vital in supporting their business continuity.
Since the global pandemic we have seen huge levels of uncertainty caused by various factors such as the cost-of-living crisis, geopolitical tensions, hostile state attacks and extreme weather. New legislation covering anything from fraud and consumer harm through to public order has been coming into play along with the 2023 National Risk Register shared with business by Government.
Alongside this, we have emerging technologies and the opportunities and significant risk that come with these, such as AI to the Internet of Things for instance. My own specialism of threat intelligence is continually looking forward and forecasting – horizon scanning – and these challenges are amplifying.
As such the SyI needs to adapt to this changing threat landscape to ensure our members, partners and stakeholders receive support from a body that represents the whole of our industry. The SyI will build on our strong foundations and ensure we are resilient enough to keep delivering an excellent service and membership experience and, importantly, continue to grow, develop, and influence across the commercial and government sectors. At our annual conference our Vice Chair and interim CE talked through our three-year strategy which underpins this, and alongside this strategy we will be working with our SIGs to examine the challenges and play an important part in setting and maintaining standards within our sectors.
Our industry is growing and developing and as the professional body representing it, the SyI looks forward to continuing in support all those who work so courageously and diligently within it.
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