security consultant Archives

CCTV Design & Modelling Software

26th November 2021 11:32 am 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

Using this software, SGW’s design service can:

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.
Choose the best camera location for the desired outcome using the graphics window with a CAD interface.
Calculate the horizontal projection sizes of viewing, person detecting, identifying and license plate reading areas to draw them on the object plan.
Measure distortions of the viewing area arising from natural obstacles.
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

Dubai Security Consultant Appointment

23rd November 2021 12:54 pm Leave a Comment

SGW Safety & Security Limited are delighted to announce the appointment of Sheena Mathew to the position of Security Consultant, who re-joins the SGW Team, to be based at the company’s Dubai World Central (DWC) office.

Previously, Sheena was employed by Arkan Security Management Solutions in the capacity of Security Executive, where she provided security design and consultancy support for a number of UAE projects, including Nakheel Discovery Gardens and Salama Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation.

Sheena is an ASIS International certified Physical Security Professional (PSP) and an experienced Electronics Engineer who has worked throughout the Middle East for over 16 years. Her early career experience was gained by supporting well-known security systems integrators to develop design and estimations for security and life safety systems. Working from SGW’s Dubai office, Sheena has further developed her knowledge of security master planning and electronic + physical security design as a consulting engineer, working in support of SGW’s Senior and Principal security consultants. She has experience in Security and ELV design & estimation, with in-depth knowledge of various systems – CCTV, Access Control, Gate Barrier Systems, Bollards and Parking Management Systems.

SGW provides Security Consultancy and Studies from the UAE, under Dubai World Central Trade licence number 4894 and Dubai Security Regulatory Agency (SIRA) certificate number SSP20211031 6336. Sheena will support SGW to deliver such licenced consulting services in the UAE and the wider Gulf region.

Commenting on SGW’s Appointment, Simon Whitehouse, Managing Director at SGW said: ‘Sheena brings a strong security and telecoms design and engineering capability to SGW, having recently formalised her experience by becoming certified as an ASIS International Physical Security Professional (PSP).

I have previously had the pleasure of working with Sheena between 2012 and 2015 in Dubai and am delighted that she has chosen to re-join the company, to ensure SGW’s local qualified presence is maintained and strengthened, supported by our UK based team.

Download a PDF version of SGW – Consultant Appointment – Press Release 231121 here

City of London Corporation Appointment

25th July 2021 11:26 pm Leave a Comment

SGW Consulting Group are delighted to announce the City of London Corporation Appointment, for our risk consulting team to undertake a Security Review of its eleven social housing estate locations.

The City of London Corporation is a social landlord with 2,793 homes within 11 housing estates across the City of London and six London boroughs. The City of London has approached SGW to provide Security Reviews across its Social Housing Estates at Avondale Square Estate, Dron House, Golden Lane Estate, Holloway Estate, Horace Jones House, Middlesex Street Estate, Southwark Estates, Sydenham Hill Estate, William Blake Estate, Windsor House and Your Way Estate.

Each estate Security Review completed by SGW will incorporate a Security Threat and Risk Assessment, which intends to identify, recommend, and prioritise treatment strategies for operational Security risks to the complex, its location, and its stakeholders, by identifying threats and vulnerabilities (existing and/or proposed control measures) and considers the impact on operating objectives.

Throughout this assignment, SGW will engage and collaborate with The City of London Corporation stakeholders in applying Risk Assessment methodology, Risk Assessment Process, and a Risk Register.

SGW will build upon this process, applying ISO 31000, to ensure that the final report, which includes identification, evaluation, and analysis of Risk and a prioritisation risk matrix of areas and departments, is applicable for the client’s needs and can be used as a benchmark to apply additional security resources.

As part of the final Security Threat and Risk Assessment report, SGW will also apply a RAG (Red, Amber, Green) prioritisation for the eleven housing estates. This will be achieved through the application of SGW’s Comparative Risk Assessment Model (CRAM).

CRAM is a decision-making tool used to systematically measure, compare, and rank areas of risk. Its use is not confined to any single sector; moreover, it has utility in all areas of the security domain and across all sectors. Its principal benefits are;

– An objective approach to Security Risk Management

– A rationalised basis for Security Planning

– Prioritisation of resources and mitigation as required through a comparative process

– Bespoke to the scale and complexity of the project or individual estate

– A consistent approach to the evaluation of risks across multiple sites or multiple locations across one site

Commenting on the City of London Corporation Appointment, SGW’s Managing Director, Simon Whitehouse said; ‘Throughout SGW’s history, we have a strong track record supporting Social Housing & Arm’s Length Management Organisations to make their housing estates a safer place to live in for their tenants and work in by their staff’.

The City of London Corporation Appointment will ensure each estate is reviewed by highly qualified and experienced security professionals, who will adopt a software-based ISO 31000:2018 compliant Security Threat and Risk Assessment will provide our client with a dynamic and easy to audit assessment dashboard, which will summarise current and residual risk profiles for each housing estate, outstanding recommendations and risk mitigation prioritisation, with the ultimate aim to facilitate our client to make informed security improvement decisions.

For further information on SGW’s work in The Social Housing Sector, please visit our dedicated Social Housing Sector website page.

Security Courses Online by SGW

31st March 2021 5:03 pm Leave a Comment

SGW launches Security Courses Online

SGW Safety and Security Ltd is an independent security consulting practice providing unbiased expertise for security projects internationally, across a broad range of sectors, industries and environments.

Planning Today – Protecting Tomorrow, SGW aligns itself closely within the built environment, helping its clients to develop safe, secure and sustainable landmark projects.

Underpinned by experiences gained over the years within its consulting operations, delivered by higher degree qualified consultants and chartered professionals, SGW has built a credible reputation in providing specialist Counterterrorism. Risk management and Security Design training programmes for individuals who aspire to become practising security professionals.

Aims & Objectives of Security Courses Online

Security Courses Online will eventually provide a portfolio of externally accredited courses that are focused on the provision of professional security-related training programmes, which aim to meet the needs of the building and construction industry, facilities and asset management sectors.

The first in the series of Security Courses Online will be SGW’s Security Surveying & Assessment Course, which provides occupational standards & competencies for individuals working in the Built Environment.

This programme is based upon security surveying and assessment which follows a risk-based approach, for both proposed and in-use built infrastructure assets. The course programme will examine the different techniques used by security professionals to undertake a security assessment of a new site at the pre-construction stage by evaluating architectural drawings and visualisations or an in-use site, with a physical site survey visit and stakeholder consultation.

Security Needs Assessment

The Security Needs Assessment module includes a review of competencies, techniques, tools and resources necessary to undertake a visual audit of the site and surroundings, identifying environmental cues and features pertinent to the security of the proposed development or in-use facility. This includes determination of plot extents, spatial use, infrastructure placement, access, circulation and the application of CPTED principles.

Facility Security Risks

The Facility Security Risks module will review the components and techniques used to undertake a ‘high level’ quantitative and qualitative Security Risk Assessment. Based upon the context of a sample project, delegates will identify critical assets, vulnerable points and design based threats of both an in-use and pre-construction facility, using assessment data provided within the course workbook and also, within the public domain.

Facility Security Review

The Facility Security Review module will review and identify conclusions made in the Facility Security Risks module and techniques which can be applied by the security professional, to guide project stakeholders to make informed decisions on risk mitigation measures to be adopted and the production of the Level 1 Operational Requirement (OR1) to ensure that the solution is acceptable to all and that they have ownership of it.

Course Syllabus

This course will be spread over a one month period and will comprise of one-two hours live webinar each week, presented by SGW’s course tutors and security professionals. Following the conclusion of each weekly webinar, delegates will progress through a module-based workbook and prepare a final short assignment, for a final group presentation.

Course Booking Information

– Online Blended Learning

– Course Starts: 3rd May 2021

– Course Ends: 28th May 2021

– 1 x Month Programme

– 3 x Modules

– Weekly 2-hour Live Webinars

– 1 x Final Assessment

To secure your place on this course, please following the ‘Upcoming Events’ booking link below, to launch the Eventbrite course booking link: –

planning today PROTECTING TOMORROW

Tag Archive: security consultant