Bowes Briefs Australians On Security

TPS Consult defence sector director Chris Bowes gave a presentation to the Australian Security Industry Association (ASIAL) 2004 Security Conference in Sidney.

Chris Bowes was invited owing to his extensive experience in the sphere working for the security and counter-terrorism division of TPS Consult, one of the largest such consultancies in the UK providing advice to designers and operators of various prominent and high-risk commercial and government buildings around the world.

He followed the keynote speech by the Australian Federal Attorney General, The Hon Philip Ruddock, and highlighted the current threats faced by both the UK and Australia.

Chris Bowes said: "Both of our countries have experienced recent terrorist atrocities - the majority of victims in the Bali bomb were Australian and British citizens, whereas the World Trade Centre was Britain's worst-ever terrorist incident with some 68 citizens killed.

"Although terrorism is a new phenomenon for Australia, it is something that the UK has lived with for generations due to the Irish problem.

However, the scale and nature of the terrorist threat has certainly changed in recent years.

"Neither of our countries have experienced significant recent terrorist actions on our home land, although that threat is certainly heightened by both countries' support, and involvement, with the war on Iraq.

The possibility of suicide bombers or chemical attacks are real and the authorities in both countries have been taking significant steps to minimise the risk of both.

"Even so, it is fair to say that it is not 'if' such an attack occurs, but 'when'.

Last weekend saw the UK carry out a major exercise at the National Exhibition Centre to test the abilities of the emergency services to handle a major chemical incident.

A number of essential lessons have been learned, the most crucial the importance of planning." The conference was attended by some over 120 delegates from businesses and the public sector.

Other speakers represented the Australian Crime Commission, Australian Protective Service, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Australian Strategic Policy Unit, Unisys, Crisis Management International, University of Canberra and the University of South Australia.

A number of the Australian speakers felt that their country was at least 10 years behind the UK and would be looking to UK companies with experience and expertise in counter-terrorism and security to provide the necessary skills to address the current threats.

Chris Bowes continued: "It would be unrealistic to believe that terrorist attacks could be prevented - the most determined of terrorists will eventually get through.

However, there are many steps that can be taken to mitigate the effects of terrorist action.

It is important that operations and buildings that are at threat, such as prominent government buildings and operations, foreign offices of banks, leading businesses, foreign diplomatic missions and other potential targets, are evaluated and enhancements put in place where necessary.

"This would be followed by changes in operations, such as vehicular access, postal deliveries and entry by individuals, and changes in the building, such as glass enhancement, perimeter reinforcement and vehicular obstacles, together with the possible inclusion of internal staff shelters and even the relocation of vital operations, such as IT, to safer areas of a building." The ASIAL conference and exhibition took place at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre on 14 and 15 July.

Further information about the Australian Security Industry Association, and the conference, can be found on its website: www.asial.com.au.

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