CIPS Cyber Security for Procurement Professionals - a useful eLearning tool.

I have just become aware that CIPS released a free eLearning course 'Cyber Security for Procurement Professionals'  which was developed with the UK Government.

There are six modules and it is available free of charge regardless of whether or not you are a CIPS member.  The suggested time for completing the eLearning is 75' but you will need longer if you follow the various links.

To me the real value is in Module 3; the others are pretty generic cyber security awareness raising, while Model 3 provides really useful specific advice on what the procurement professional should do, for example, including the need for certifications in bids.  I think it also implies the need to give some thought to the implications of cyber security within S2P processes.

On the downside, there is some infuriating background music - turn it off. The 'Knowledge Check' questions are the end of each module are so basic they are of questionable value. Disappointingly, I found when I followed some of the early document links I ended up having to completely restart the tool as opposed to picking up where I left off.

Nevertheless, I think this is a useful CIPS offer and would recommend it be included as a 'must do annually'.  I wonder why it is not behind CIPS member only firewall?

On procurement of aircraft security

I am, by any definition, a frequent flyer and, like so many, one of the banes of my life is airport security. I am astounded by the lack of customer focus and also the delight some of the searchers appear to get through making travel more unpleasant.

Some months ago I was asked by the security at Liverpool to remove my shoes, I asked why, and she told me it was just because she wanted me too.

A few weeks later, I observed ladies with flip-flops being asked to remove them - once again it appeared to be, 'just because'. The same day I was asked to remove a watch just to satisfy the searcher - I have worn near enough the same watch for 25 years without having been asked to remove it. Nevertheless, with due deference I had to comply, then forgot the watch was in the tray, dropped it and broke it. Needless to say that was my fault as opposed to an over zealous searcher who appeared to be in the wrong job. I complained, gained some solace in that other searchers said they wouldn't have asked me to remove the watch, completed a complaint form, and I still await even an acknowledgement.

Last week every single person going through the alarm system of the queue I was in appeared to trigger the alarm. Common sense would suggest there was something wrong with the alarm system but that wasn't being addressed. The result longer queues and more frustrated travellers, some of whom, like me barely caught their flights.

On the high cost of contracting security

In 2008 an Aboriginal elder was 'cooked to death' while being transported to prison by a security contractor (the picture is of the van in which he died). I'm sure there was an in-depth investigation carried out by the Australian equivalent of the MoJ as to why a citizen was subjected to one of the most horrific deaths imaginable by one of their contractors. It was a high profile case and one assumes lessons were learnt.

However, now we have learnt of the death of Jimmy Mubenga, while being transported from the UK by the same company, under what appears to be a contract with the UK Borders Agency.  The inquest is till underway but there will be lessons worth considering for all those involved in contracting private security.

From a distance public procurers have been able to talk about the horrors of the Dhaka disaster and the perils of low price sourcing. Jimmy Mubenga's death causes us to look more closely at our own sourcing responsibilities.

Suggested questions for the Home Affairs Emergency Select Committee on 17 July 12

The security contract for the Olympics provides a unique opportunity to learn lessons for the future.  Not only for future major events but security and stewarding contracts in general, whether public or private sector let.

While I am full of admiration for the scrutiny of the Select Committees, although in the past I have suggested their Inquiries could have been perhaps been more forensic.   So, I’ve taken the liberty of suggesting questions which the Inquiry should ask in the hope they may help us all learn for the future.  Of course these questions could also asked by others concerned with procuring security and events stewarding, so here goes:

G4S an alternative view: Should you be feeling insecure during the Olympics?

The Olympics is just one enormous procurement case study waiting to be written up - I wish I had the time and also a financier.

I've discussed before the problems of manned security for the Olympics. The whole saga relates to 'back of an envelop' estimates of demand, and a provider who appears to have over-promised.  I'm not going to repeat what you can read elsewhere but in a nutshell, to get round the problem extra cash has been found, troops are being called in to fill the suppliers shortfall  and volunteers used, while G4S, the contractor, hastily leafs through its 'little black book' with a view to finding recently retired police officers who may be able to stand in.  Of course that's only part of a bigger problem as there are displays of public disorder and rebellion at the Border Controls and there's an additional need for police support there too over the Olympics!   It would be easy to draw out lessons from all of this but perhaps premature.

No, I want to provide a few words of caution to all my procurement mates who have responsibility for manned security - a health warning.