by Chris Cubbage CPP, GAICD
Complacency is a state of mind that exists only in retrospective: it has to be shattered before being ascertained. Vladimir Nabokov, Russian novelist & poet
David reportedly expressed to God (Psalm 139) “How precious are your thoughts to me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I cannot even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!” Someone has since figured out that we humans think between 50,000 – 70,000 thoughts in a day. Many of our thoughts are fleeting, random, and without purpose. Still others can be obscure, violent or criminal. The question is, in a security context, how do we best influence thought to deter or prevent?
With so many thoughts occurring, it’s no wonder why humans tend to ignore warnings, reasonable requests or even common sense. Humans are also inclined to ignore or be blind to common security responsibilities and vulnerabilities. They are prone to taking unnecessary or avoidable risk. Worse still, humans are just as inclined to the opportunity of addictive or offending behaviours.
Ask yourself next time you enter your workplace building. Armed only with an access or proximity card – how easy would it be to enter your workplace undetected and anonymously. Those who take the time to try, will find it its ominously easier than one would otherwise suspect.
In June, Western Australia Police discovered an 18 year old had posed as a police officer at the high security Central Perth Watch House, not only on a number of occasions, but over a period of weeks. The teenager is reported to have stolen a police uniform and gained access undetected after showing up in uniform with a full police utility belt, complete with handcuffs, police issue baton and holster, allegedly all stolen. He even had a replica firearm, highlighting the catastrophic potential, had his intentions been more sinister. Instead he was just after an immature thrill.
WA Police also learned how dangerous complacency can be. But so have many others beforehand, so it’s the old adage – it won’t happen to us. Other imposter examples that spring to mind includes the former Adelaide Rams rugby league player jailed following a six-month crime spree but found in possession of a stolen US passport, a Royal Australian Air Force uniform and ID card. A Fisheries Department identity card and uniform were stolen from a staff member’s car whilst parked outside their home. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey wants to replace the private security firm that employed a supervisor at a Newark airport who authorities said was an illegal immigrant using the identity of a dead man. Authorities say the man passed a background check posing as the dead man, and had access to aircraft at Newark Liberty in his FJC job.
Likewise in the physical world, the cyber world is just as void of appropriate awareness and with complacency. Many of our cyber vulnerabilities still exist in areas we will remain unaware of until after they have been breached. In the cyber world it is just as common to have been breached, syphoned of information and to remain unaware of the intrusion. In a corporate environment, this is not necessarily the fair and balanced economic market it should be. Complacency in the physical, as well as the cyber world, can be a fatal error. Corporate Security teams need to balance both the operational and tactical needs of the frontline but also battle the inner human vulnerabilities that exist to overcome complacency, poor judgement, unethical decisions and criminal minds.
The best and most effective prevention is always preparedness and awareness – but unfortunately there is an investment needed and in tough times, the risk of complacency is often taken to overcome the cost of having high resilience.
In this issue, we have a mixed bag of treats, including a look at the Asia Pacific and Australia through the eyes of the European Union Ambassador, His Excellency David Daly, a special feature interview with Major General (Retd) John Hartley on Food Security and an interview with Eugene Kaspersky on the future of cyber war, cyber weapons and cyber worlds. All this plus our regular features on technology, with editorial coverage of perimeter security from guest author, Mr. Geoff Craighead CPP, the incoming President of ASIS International.
Finally, our event media partnerships provide us an opportunity to bring you the key industry events around the region. Recently we have also partnered with events in Africa and Israel, in addition to the many great events held in the Asia Pacific. The Israel HLS 2012 Conference in November is one such conference stamping Israel’s national security place in the world market and is an excellent lead up to the Security Fundamentals Tour of Israel in June 2013. Welcome you to contact me direct if either of these events are of interest.
Stay tuned with us as we continue to explore, educate, entertain and most importantly, engage. I look forward to hearing from you and encourage to connect with us and retain My Security Media as your personal professional library, willing to listen and accessible anytime, anywhere.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Cubbage
APSM Executive Editor
NEW BOOK & DOCUMENTARY: SECURITY IS FUNDAMENTAL TO US ALL
My co-authored book Corporate Security in the Asia Pacific Region: Crisis, Crime, Fraud & Misconduct is the culmination of five (5) years work of writing projects, eloquently pulled together and polished by Dr. David Brooks, a renowned security expert, colleague and former senior academic at Edith Cowan University. This book examines security related issues, including regional geo-political activity and influence of the myriad of external and internal risks faced by modern corporate operations and security departments, with case studies and country reviews.
In addition, the self-made documentary, 11YRS AFTER 911, was filmed during travels across the USA in April 2012. The video is a montage of interviews with experts in law enforcement, counter terrorism and security management. The video examines the role security plays in modern society and how it has come to be professionalised, in particular in the post 911 era. Hope you take the time to subscribe to My Security TV.
