planning today PROTECTING TOMORROW

Category Archive: News

  1. Security by Design- IFSEC Insider

    Leave a Comment

    Early engagement: Why the Security Overlay to RIBA Plan of Work is a ‘game changer’ for security industry

    Simon Whitehouse, Managing Director at SGW Consulting, covers the new security overlay from The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Simon explains why the overlay, designed to integrate security into the building design process, is a ‘game-changer’ for the security industry and what its impact may be on the wider consultancy and built environment landscape.

    Fundamentally changing attitudes to security in design

    Security has often been an afterthought tacked onto the end of the building design process just before completion, leading to ineffective, overly complex, and often visually unappealing security measures.

    Security consultants have regularly been appointed too late in the architectural design process to have any ability to influence plot selection, access and circulation, critical asset placement and the architectural intended use of space. The new Security Overlay aims to guide the design team in taking an alternative and suitably informed approach.

    The guidance provides a blueprint for undertaking rigorous security risk assessments before the design brief has even been drafted. This allows the identified risks to inform design decisions from the beginning of the process proactively.

    For clients, this fundamental shift brings significant advantages. Integrating security considerations early on helps get safety and security outcomes perfectly aligned with their organisational goals, risk appetite, security posture and operational needs without requiring expensive retrofits later.

    As an embedded member of a new build or refurbishment project’s design team, a security consultant is crucial in defining security requirements for different project phases:

    • The base build phase involves designing the fundamental structure and systems of the building. During this phase, a security consultant focuses on establishing the foundational security measures to support the building’s overall security strategy.
    • The shell and core phase involves designing the building’s structural elements, façade, and core systems. The security consultant ensures the building’s basic security features are integrated into these elements.
    • The fit-out phase involves designing the interior spaces of the building, including partitions, finishes, and furniture. The security consultant ensures that the interior design supports previously established security measures.

  2. LPS-1175 Team Training

    Leave a Comment

    SGWs Consulting Team Completes LPS-1175 Training

    We are thrilled to share a few behind-the-scenes photos of the SGW team as we embarked on a day of intensive LPS-1175 training at our Edwinstowe House headquarters.

    At SGW, we believe in continuous improvement, and our commitment to investing in Continued Professional Development (CPD) is unwavering. As a security consultancy specialising in the built environment, we are proud to have invited Richard Flint MSyl, Technical and Commercial Lead for Physical Security at BRE, to conduct the LPS 1175 – Issue 8 training for our team.

    Why is this training important?

    SGW understand that preparation is key in an evolving landscape of security challenges. LPS 1175 – Issue 8 sets the benchmark for loss prevention standards, offering essential insights on the effects of delays to physical security treatments.

    LPS-1175 issue 8 training is an important part of SGW Security Consulting teams 2023 continued professional development (CPD) training.

    A few behind-the-scenes photos of the SGW team as we embarked on a day of intensive LPS-1175 issue 8 training, delivered by BRE’s Richard Flint, Technical and Commercial Lead for Physical Security at our UK office.

    LPS 1175 Part 8.1 is a British standard that specifically deals with the testing and classifying of security doors, shutters, and grilles intended to protect against unauthorized forced entry. This standard is used to assess the resistance of these products to various methods of attack, including physical attacks like drilling, cutting, and prying, as well as the use of tools and techniques commonly employed by burglars and intruders.

    To follow a risk-based protective countermeasures approach on their projects, physical security consultants can use LPS 1175 Part 8.1 in the following ways:

    1. Risk Assessment: Consultants begin by conducting a comprehensive risk assessment for the specific project. This assessment involves identifying potential threats, vulnerabilities, and assets that need protection. It considers factors such as location, building layout, the value of assets, and the threat profile.
    2. Classification Levels: LPS 1175 Part 8.1 provides different security classification levels, ranging from SR1 (lower security) to SR6 (highest security). Consultants can use these classification levels to determine the appropriate level of security required based on the identified risks. For example, a high-value jewellery store may require a higher SR level than a standard commercial building.
    3. Product Selection: Based on the determined security classification level, consultants can recommend security doors, shutters, or grilles that meet or exceed the required resistance level specified in LPS 1175 Part 8.1. Manufacturers often provide products with LPS 1175 certification, making it easier for consultants to select suitable options.
    4. Specification and Design: Consultants work with architects, engineers, and security experts to integrate the chosen security products into the overall building design. This includes specifying the appropriate product types, installation methods, and any additional security features needed to achieve the desired protection level.
    5. Compliance Verification: Consultants ensure that the selected security products meet the requirements of LPS 1175 Part 8.1 by verifying that they have been tested and certified to the appropriate security classification level. This step involves reviewing product documentation and certification from manufacturers.
    6. Integration with Other Measures: A risk-based protective countermeasures approach often involves a combination of security measures, including access control systems, surveillance cameras, and security personnel. Consultants ensure that the physical security measures recommended in accordance with LPS 1175 Part 8.1 are integrated effectively with these other measures to create a holistic security strategy.
    7. Periodic Review: As security threats evolve, physical security consultants should periodically review and update the protective measures in place. This includes assessing whether the existing security products still meet the required protection levels and making adjustments as necessary.
    The purpose of this selection chart, is to determine the likley toolset which the adversary will use and the delay offered by the standard.

    LPS 1175 Part 8.1 is a British standard that specifically deals with the testing and classification of security doors, shutters, and grilles intended to provide protection against unauthorized forced entry.

    In summary, LPS 1175 Part 8.1 is a valuable tool for physical security consultants to assess and specify the appropriate security measures for their projects. By conducting a thorough risk assessment and using the classification levels provided by the standard, consultants can tailor their recommendations to the specific security needs of a given site, helping clients implement effective protective countermeasures.

    Simon Whitehouse, Managing Director at SGW, said, “As we navigate the complexities of modern security threats, this training equips us with the latest knowledge and techniques to protect your interests better”.

    Planning Today, Protecting Tomorrow: This isn’t just a tagline; it’s a guiding principle that underscores our dedication to staying at the forefront of physical security expertise!

  3. Security & Fire Excellence Awards 2022 Winner

    Leave a Comment

    We are thrilled to announce that SGW Consulting Group has won the Security or Fire Consultancy of the Year Award at this year’s Security & Fire Excellence Awards.

    This award is presented to a security or fire consultancy consistently demonstrating excellence in the sphere of fire safety and physical security and/or cyber security consultancy, security and/or fire risk management.

    To be considered for this award, SGW was required to demonstrate to the judging panel the following key points of criteria:

    • Our specific areas of expertise in the security arena and an outline of the major project work we have undertaken during the past 12 months
    • Evidence of our continuing leadership in the physical security community
    • Star quality – what sets us apart from our peers
    • References from our existing valued customers to prove assertions.

    Commenting on the award, Simon Whitehouse, Managing Director at SGW said: We’ve been proud finalists for Security Consultancy of The Year, several times since our original establishment in 2010, so to finally win the award and be recognised by such distinguished peers in the judging panel is so very well received. The award reflects the dedication of SGW’s highly qualified team, all of whom have worked tirelessly throughout 2022 to ensure we continue to excel customer expectations with the provision of high-quality professional services which ensure our clients make informed decisions on security risk mitigation and have in place, highly effective security strategies. I am immensely proud of my team for winning this award.

    • CCTV Design & Modelling Software

      Leave a Comment

      SGW are pleased to announce the implementation of CCTV Design & Modelling Software into the Consulting Practice.

      SGW has invested in professional CCTV system design software and training for our CCTV & Security Design Consultants to use the software competently, for the benefit of future projects.

      SGW now utilises the power of VideoCAD Professional 3D, one of the most powerful 3D & visualisation CCTV Design platforms available. By utilising professional 3D modelling software, SGW can model the proposed CCTV solution before our client commits to a system purchase, this allows SGW to provide our clients with accurate detailed CCTV design documentation, covering scene parameters, camera parameters, volumetric camera coverage, light levels & associated performance, based on the lighting levels, camera blind spot data, image depth-of-field, camera type, camera performance within the installed environment, day /night imagine performance, moving objects and many more parameters.

      SGW strives to use design and modelling software, in conjunction with a matching test procedure, using the BS EN 62676 compliant Video Image Calculator (VIC) target to provide an end-to-end service, from concept design to image quality validation. After all, as IEC 62676-4 Section 5.2 states, “Without an OR [operational requirement] and a matching test procedure there is no practical methodology to assess whether the system can meet its required purpose.”

      SGW’s adoption of the powerful software allows not only a full 3D rendered view of site layouts but also provides visual monitoring layouts to accurately emulate the images the operators will see from the camera in multiple lighting and weather conditions.

      VideoCAD is a drafting and calculating tool that helps SGW’s consulting team define camera positions and angles of coverage when designing a CCTV system of any size. Without this software, client Operational Requirements for a CCTV system are more difficult to address properly and accurately due to many variables one can find in defining camera locations, angles of view, CCD chip sizes, object distances, recognition of faces or vehicle license plates. The software helps skilled and experienced design engineers to select the correct lenses, number of cameras and positions.

      Software Interface – Camera Location Parameters
      Software Interface – Camera Location Parameters

      Using this software, SGW’s design service can:

      1. Determine the most suitable lenses, heights, and locations for camera installation to provide viewing areas with the possibility to detect and identify a person and read license plates.
      2. Choose the best camera location for the desired outcome using the graphics window with a CAD interface.
      3. Calculate the horizontal projection sizes of viewing, person detecting, identifying and license plate reading areas to draw them on the object plan.
      4. Measure distortions of the viewing area arising from natural obstacles.
      5. Calculate the image size of any object on a CCTV display (as seen by a camera), in the percentage of the display size, in pixels, TV lines and millimeters.

      The software generates a drawing containing two projections of objects layout with their respective camera images. Also, the viewing areas are calculated, indicating cable distances, showing grid coordinates and text to be pasted into explanatory notes as an illustration as well.

      Commenting on SGW’s Adoption of 3D modelling software for Video Surveillance Systems (CCTV) Design, Simon Whitehouse, Managing Director at SGW said: The use of 3D modelling in Video Surveillance Systems Design, allows our team to visually simulate the levels of coverage, the field of view, likely blind spots, and potential performance during the development of Level 2 Operational Requirements. It’s often a challenge to suitably communicate where possible blind spots would occur if surveillance camera placement was to proceed in particular configurations without a suitable software simulation, so I’m convinced that our design software will help support the client to make an informed decision associated with approval and budget allocation aligned with an agreed Level 2 Operational Requirement and conceptual system design.

      Download a PDF version of SGW – New CCTV Modelling Software – Press Release 261121 here