MSc SECURITY, CONFLICT AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Since our inception in 1998, we at SHIELD have been at the very forefront of risk management. We have looked above and beyond the purely commercial domain of hardware supply driven by profit-hungry security companies and focused our attentions at the nexus that matters most in organizational security: human factors.

Through a long relationship with the Department of Criminology of the University of Leicester we have been able to bring to Malta cutting-edge risk management learning. Now, with the contemporary volatile international situation as it is, the Department has developed another course designed specifically to cater for the security risk management needs of today – the MSc in Security, Conflict and International Development.

There is little doubt that today we live and operate in an epoch of unprecedented risk and opportunity. Against a backdrop of regional conflict and failed-States, today’s organizations can benefit from instant telecommunications; availability of real time, on-line business-media; fast transportation; knowledge management and transfer; the internet; open, non-tariff trade borders; satellite technologies that enable us to execute an almost infinite array of business solutions; vastly improved health-care systems which advance the quality of life of millions.

One could relay a roll-call of wonderful opportunities in our times. Yet, realistically, organizations should be asking themselves how is international risk affecting them today? What are the most pressing issues that need to be accounted for in understanding the regional and international contexts within which trading partners interact? Are organizations adequately prepared for risk and are they actually capable of effectively managing risk and opportunities arising?

Awkward as they may sound, these propositions are of strategic importance to the interests of international organizations. Through our extensive operational experience in the highly physical and tangible fields of security, health and safety and business continuity management we at Shield have become acutely aware of some highly significant risks which organizations become exposed to.

The security of ports and transportation supply chain and logistics infrastructure; emergency planning for large scale accidents involving critical infrastructures; terror events; the criticality of supply in terms of food, petrochemicals and gas; the robustness of telecommunications infrastructure in terms of their capacity to withstand extraordinary stresses; the overwhelming effect on limited national resources in the event of an unforeseen catastrophic event.

These are but a few high-end risks which require preventive strategies to cascade from the strategic down to the operational levels and for which public and private organizations must be adequately prepared.

Click here to download a copy of the latest course brochure and invite you to have a good look at it. In the event that you are interested to discuss further please contact us at:

consult@shield.com.mt or

bcm@shield.com.mt or

training@shield.com.mt or else call for an appointment on: 21 446980

NEW RISK MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION GAINS INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION

Interview transcript from the article on The Sunday Times of October 2, 2011 - click here
Download a copy of this transcript - click here

• What led to the establishment of MARM?

This has been an initiative by some Maltese risk management professionals with years of experience in different sectors. Risk management as a profession is not a new reality but, relatively speaking, here in Malta risk management is still to emerge in all its different aspects. The founding members just felt that the Maltese market is in a condition wherein it needs a formal representative body. It was quite curious really because upon the instigation of one or two, the members all came together and were unanimous in their agreement for the need and shared a very similar vision of what the Association should aim to achieve. It was very encouraging, really, and we have made good, steady progress in a short period of time.

• What are MARM’s main objectives?

MARM is very focussed; the intent is to establish it as the principal local risk management body with an emphasis on raising awareness of the need and reaching out into all sectors that stand to benefit potentially from the discipline. Risk management is not rocket science, nor is it some sort of magic cure for all problems which organisations face from time to time. Risk management is an approach to mainstream management which takes into account the potentially negative as well as positive outcomes of decision making. I really must emphasise these three staples from very early on. People must not expect risk management to solve bad management, nor will it make up for inadequate resources and poor decision making. It can, however, reduce the likelihood and consequences of events that might affect organisations from time to time. Most importantly, good risk management is also about identifying opportunities in risk and this is a very powerful idea in today’s interconnected world.

• What kind of activities does it plan to organise?

I would prefer that you asked me how we intend to operate. MARM is busy setting itself up at the moment. We have already successfully applied to join the European Federation of Risk Management Associations [FERMA] and believe me, this has been a major advancement in such a short time. The Association has an educational, representational as well as an advisory vocation and we see ourselves as growing it towards these major goals. We feel that awareness raising is a primary objective in the short term, but into the future we would like to see MARM grow into an open forum that represents the professional needs, requirements and industry standards of the various disciplines: business continuity management; health and safety; security; corporate social responsibility; environmental; intellectual property; project management; waste management to name but a few. Basically wherever there is risk in management, we intend to address. Ambitious? Yes, all of this may sound ambitious but what sort of risk management association would MARM be if it did not aspire to address risk in all its forms? MARM is a long term project and for us founding members it is vital that we put the best foundations possible in place. Clearly we shall need support from all sectors and our membership structure shall reflect this.

• Who are the professionals targeted by MARM? Which businesses?

MARM will be open to professionals from all sectors of industry who wish to take management seriously. I have already outlined some of the areas we shall actively promote. Others, equally as vital, include the insurance sector; financial organisations; individual specialist practitioners; entrepreneurs; educators, academics and key decision makers. In all of this, we would wish to position ourselves where professionals from both the private and public sectors can reach us. Risk knows no politics and we must ensure, as MARM, that the knowledge, skills, techniques, methodologies and tools become as widespread as possible without devaluing their intrinsic worth. Believe me, this challenge sounds easier than it will be in practice. Risk management cannot be all things to everybody and we shall have to keep reminding ourselves of this basic fact.

• The press release says “the market signs are that it is now ripe for more focus and attention” to risk management. How so?

Finally a practical question I can answer in real terms . Malta is not, and has not been, inure to the contemporary global and regional turmoils and our business leaders and key decision makers will not have failed to feel this aspect. It is admittedly remarkable how well we as a Nation appear to have stood up to the onslaught of difficulties which have afflicted almost all nations and harmed a significant number.

Yet one has to be concerned about the degrees of awareness and levels of preparedness in both the public institutions as well as private enterprises in these challenging times. One has to reflect upon our ability to cope, as a Nation, in the event of a high-risk event afflicting us.

We live in an interconnected world and sooner or later a risk event may welll test our preparedness, ability to respond, cope and resume in the longer term. Such events challenge even the best-prepared and equipped of nations and international institutions and the essential point I would like to share is that risk, crisis and disaster management require very specific skills-sets and organizational structures, amongst other essential elements and resources. The latter can only be developed and nurtured over time and a start has to be made at some point sooner rather than later.

• In the association’s view, to what extent are local businesses aware of the important of risk management and mitigation, given that as a country we are significantly under-insured?

My comments in the previous question are highly relevant to this one as well. Vitally, one has to keep in mind that insurance is just a single aspect of risk management, albeit a highly essential one. Risk management is all about understanding the operational context of an organisation and putting in place effective frameworks for managing uncertainty.

Whether or not we are under-insured I am not in a position to comment because one would have to evaluate several factors and I very much doubt whether the market data is readily available in any case. As for improvements in other aspects of risk management, then yes, the Maltese market offers fertile ground for opportunities.

• How will MARM leverage its membership of a European network for the benefit of its members?

Becoming members of FERMA was our very first objective and we have reached it almost immediately after founding MARM. Clearly this is a vitally important staple for our future plans.

Beyond the networking benefits, FERMA could be an excellent vehicle for shortening existing gaps in the many aspects of risk management: knowledge; tools; methodologies; awareness of emerging trends; industry standards and codes of practice; methodologies and so on.

In a nutshell MARM now has a European platform within which to act and interact and we fully intend maximize the opportunity. Interestingly, our European partners also welcomed MARM wholeheartedly and this has given us founding members great encouragement. We have had a promising start – it is now about sustaining and building upon it.

• Will MARM be represented at the FERMA conference in Stockholm in October? Will it contribute to proceedings at all?

Yes of course. Regrettably I am not able to make it myself. Ian Edward Stafrace, the Vice President of MARM and who was instrumental in its founding, will be representing us and he will no doubt do so very well with his infectious enthusiasm and networking skills. On behalf of MARM, Ian will be extending an invitation to the new FERMA President, Jorge Liuzzi, for the forthcoming official launch.

All the member come from diverse risk management backgrounds and we are extremely excited about the project. Andre’ Farrugia is the Director of Studies at the Malta International Training Centre and MARM Secretary. Mario Genovese is risk manager at Air Malta and appointed Treasurer. John O’Dea hails from PRIMO Malta and is in charge of MARM Media Relations; and Dr. Simon Grima is a risk academic with extensive financial background. As you can see, we all come from various business domains including financial services, aviation and ports safety/security, manufacturing, retail and hospitality and the public sector.

SECURING YOUR TELECOMMUNICATIONS

The events of this summer which hit the media and telecommunications industry are indeed disturbing for business professionals. It has become patently clear that the normal means of daily communications are not secure. Conversations can be tapped, hacked, intercepted and compromised in ways that place people and businesses at risk.

So in an age in which instant telecommunications are indispensable, how highly do you value your privacy? Have you ever wondered who might be listening in to your private, confidential and business conversations? Would you not like to assure yourself that the content of your telephone conversations and text message cannot be compromised, with potentially serious consequences?

It is fair to state that the problems relating to compromised information security are not a new phenomenon. From the infamous Watergate scandal in the USA in the 1970s through to the media catastrophe of the News of The world this very summer, we have all witnessed a continuum of information security breaches and their ghastly consequences all round. Yet times are changing extremely rapidly in this second decade of the third millennium.

So far in 2011 we have seen the consequences of failed states, a new rise in dissension, transnational migrations on a massive scale and an ongoing, debilitating financial downturn. Throughout all this, traditional risks remain there to be contended with by individuals, organizations and businesses alike.

It is slightly ironic that in an Information Age we must all re-learn the value of information security in order to survive and thrive. And in this respect, the mobile phone has become the universal symbol of telecommunications as well as indispensable tool.

Ever aware of the need to protect our clients and business partners from risk, we at SHIELD CONSULTANTS are leading the way in corporate security. Through a unique affiliation with a German specialist company, GSMK Cryptophone [ http://www.cryptophone.de/ ] we can now make available a range of telephones that are at the highest end of telecommunications security technology.



What is a Cryptophone?

Cryptophone is a range of secure telecommunications products produced by GSMK, a world leader for encrypted communications, based in Germany. Whether it’s a mobile, desktop or satellite phone, GSMK has the right product to ensure confidentiality and integrity in your communications.

What does it allow you to do?

GSMK Cryptophones provide end-to-end encryption for voice calls and messaging, thus putting your mind at rest that no one can tap into your voice conversations or text messaging, not even the communications provider. GSMK Cryptophones are the only secure phones that come with full source-code available for independent review – allowing their security to be fully verified by independent researchers. We at Shield have verified these unique features ourselves at first hand.

Who is it for?

Private individuals, corporations, NGOs, governments, and international organizations all use GSMK Cryptophone encryption products to protect their sensitive information. A truly universal encryption solution that can meet the unique requirements of different users and missions must offer the right products for the mission at hand. With GSMK Cryptophone, there is no need to have face to face conversations to ensure confidentiality!