Sanjay Thakur, CPP, ERM’s Post

With the global security situation being highly elevated at this time, we need to consider all angles including the influence the professionals back home can exert. https://lnkd.in/ehQzegjx

36% of UK security leaders said they provide opportunities for training and development to attract high-quality security personnel applicants and retain existing security personnel. Rising crime, coupled with a strain on public resources, is leaving communities in danger. This also leaves organisations at risk of economic harm, or even collapse. Mitie’s #SecurityRadar2024 highlights the need for thorough training that goes above and beyond standard regulatory requirements in areas such as conflict resolution and customer service. Find out more > https://ow.ly/YbEu30sGWIA #Security | #CrimePrevention | Mitie Security

36% of UK security leaders said they provide opportunities for training and development to attract high-quality security personnel applicants and retain existing security personnel. Rising crime, coupled with a strain on public resources, is leaving communities in danger. This also leaves organisations at risk of economic harm, or even collapse. Mitie’s #SecurityRadar2024 highlights the need for thorough training that goes above and beyond standard regulatory requirements in areas such as conflict resolution and customer service. Find out more > https://hubs.ly/Q02QLpFF0 #Security | #CrimePrevention | Mitie Security

The SIS have published their latest Security Threat Environment report. Talking foreign interference, I found the reference on page 20 to "forced or coerced repatriation" particularly fascinating. You may recall that IPAC/SafeGuard Defenders drew attention to CCP police stations (two we believe) here in NZ a year or so ago, and this is exactly what said stations do. So perhaps the first official hint or confirmation from government that this is happening after many months of denial and silence?

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) is facing a rising backlog in security clearance investigations, with cases approaching 300,000 for the first time since 2019. After maintaining a steady state of around 200,000 cases from 2020 to 2023, the situation has worsened, leading to increased investigation timelines. Currently, processing a secret-level investigation takes an average of 68 days, exceeding the 40-day goal, while top-secret cases are averaging 169 days, well above the 80-day target. In response, DCSA has formed a “tiger team” tasked with identifying root causes of the backlog and developing effective mitigation strategies. This proactive approach aims to streamline processes and enhance efficiency in processing investigations. Tackling this backlog is crucial not only for meeting statutory goals but also for ensuring that personnel can access the clearances they need to perform their duties effectively. Timely investigations are vital for national security and operational readiness. #SecurityClearance #DCSA #Backlog #NationalSecurity #Investigations #WorkforceEfficiency #Government #OperationalReadiness If you found this post insightful, sparked a new idea, or presented valuable advice, please select 💡!

Rising Threat from Violent Lone Actors in 2025 Control Risks warns of a growing security challenge posed by violent lone actors, often driven by a mix of ideological beliefs and personal grievances. These threats are difficult to predict, with 13% of terrorism suspects in the UK under 18, underscoring the rising vulnerability of youth to radicalization. For businesses in Latin America and beyond, this trend emphasizes the need for adaptable security measures and proactive threat monitoring. How is your organization preparing to detect and address potential lone-actor threats? Source: Control Risks #PoliticalViolence #Security #RiskManagement #LoneActors #LatinAmerica #CorporateSecurity #ThreatDetection #YouthRadicalization #CrisisResponse

Are security agencies doing their best?

"Thanks to the #Dayton solutions, #BiH has a very dispersed #security system. In practice, this leads to the fact that often state officials, even entity officials, have information that is very contradictory and confusing. Therefore, security expert hamza visca believes that there should be a body within the #Ministry of #Security or some of the agencies that would verify information and strengthen confidence in BiH institutions. https://lnkd.in/dy4zwt5Y #Bosnia

Views from the other hemisphere. The insights from New Zealand's 2024 Security Threat Environment report have significant implications for American intelligence, particularly for the CIA, as they highlight emerging challenges that transcend national borders and demand a more integrated global response. Geostrategic Considerations and Foreign Interference New Zealand's vulnerability to foreign interference and espionage underscores a broader challenge that is increasingly relevant for the CIA. As geopolitical competition intensifies, particularly in the Pacific region, state actors like China and Russia will likely extend their influence and espionage activities globally, including in countries closely aligned with the United States. For the CIA, this means that the traditional lines of intelligence gathering and counterintelligence operations must be more adaptable to counter these efforts. The agency must enhance collaboration with allies like New Zealand to monitor and mitigate the influence of foreign actors in regions critical to U.S. interests. Moreover, the report's findings on using professional networks for espionage highlight a growing tactic that the CIA must contend with. This method often involves luring individuals into providing sensitive information unwittingly, which presents a complex challenge. The CIA, therefore, needs to develop sophisticated countermeasures and conduct extensive public awareness campaigns to prevent such breaches in both the U.S. and allied nations. Violent Extremism and Terrorism The rise of lone-actor terrorism in New Zealand reflects a global trend that American intelligence agencies have been increasingly focused on. In cooperation with other U.S. agencies like the FBI and DHS, the CIA must continue to prioritize identifying and disrupting these lone-actor threats. The unpredictability of these actors, often driven by mixed or unclear ideologies, requires a shift in intelligence tactics—moving from traditional counterterrorism strategies to more nuanced approaches that can detect early signs of radicalization across various platforms, including online. The CIA also needs to collaborate closely with international partners to track and understand these emerging extremist ideologies that transcend borders. Sharing intelligence and best practices on countering violent extremism with allies like New Zealand is essential for a unified approach to this global threat.

WR INFORMATION BRIEF - Heightened Terror Threat Level (Australia) Australia’s security landscape has entered a vulnerable period & is being challenged by new threats with concerning trajectories. Following a two-year period sitting at 'Possible' the Australian Terror Threat Level has been raised to 'Probable'. With two terrible wars affecting our geopolitical landscape, rioting currently impacting the United Kingdom, and a visibly rising diverse range of extreme ideologies here in Australia and across our region, what does this mean for your organisation and workforce, and how can we be prepared? Here are a few tips to consider. Have you: ➡️ Undertaken a Security Risk Assessment to identify all of your risks, threats & vulnerabilities in & around your building / workplace, or precinct? ➡️ Developed and implemented contemporary best practice Emergency, Crisis Management & Business Continuity procedures and strategies? ➡️ Considered your building and individual tenancy incident notification & messaging systems? ➡️ Socialised your procedures and strategies via training to all staff? For example, ‘Active Armed Offender Incident’ ➡️ Undertaken testing activities to make sure your strategies work (site & desktop scenarios / exercises) ➡️ Established an effective recovery strategy. Remember to: ➡️REPORT - Immediately report the unusual, suspicious, & out of place. If something doesn't look right, or feel right, then it probably isn't. Ring Police on 000 and contact security and management. (See something - Say something) ➡️SUPPORT - Support police, intelligence agencies and security contractors who's wavering mission is to keep you safe. ➡️BUILD - Build partnerships with your neighbouring sites, precincts, and across your community. Ensure that there is consistent training, notification, and response strategies. #terrorism #security #safety #police #seesomethingsaysomething #risk #crowdedplaces #activearmedoffender