PSIFebruary2018

INTERVIEW
(from previous page)
and the wider public who are using the spaces
that are being protected by these systems.
"Operability of the system is a key factor in the
success of a security system," says Richard. "Is
the technology straightforward to use? As we all
know, there have been cases where the system
has been too complicated for the user to get the
most benefit from it. A system must be fit-forpurpose
as no two applications are completely
the same. So we developed the Code to take into
account this operability."
Security of security
The security of security systems has always been
a topic that has had to be addressed when
designing systems and the introduction of
networked systems creates another area of
vulnerability that must be assessed and risks
mitigated.
"There's nothing in the new NCP 104 that could
be deemed to be 'rocket science', it is essentially
some guidelines for best practice," says Richard.
"The idea of the Summit is to help the NSI in its
role of improving the installation, application and
use of security systems and the Code has been
developed to address this and to raise awareness
of the cyber security issues that are very apparent
in the industry today.”
Going IP
As Richard explains, the shift to providing
networked services continues with the news that
BT will be moving to an all-IP model by 2025 and
this is something that the industry will need to
keep on top of as the change takes place.
"The ultimate aim for us is to communicate the information
that our approved companies need and we use the
Summit to show them the latest technology”
"There are concerns with IP comms because,
unlike the PSTN, which sets up a dedicated call
and provides a high level of confidence that data
has been transferred, IP networked systems,
using whatever medium to interface into the
network, rely on packets of data that are subject
to all the potential vagaries of a routed network;
so the reliance that the security industry is
putting on network providers is arguably greater
than anyone realises!” says Richard. “We will
have experts from BT talking at the Summit about
the progress in migrating to IP as from an
installer's point of view, the last thing you want to
do is finish an installation that then won't work
without the addition of another piece of IPenabling
kit. Installers need to be prepared for
these changes."
These topics will be addressed at the Summit
and there will be opportunities to get more indepth
with areas of interest throughout the day in
the master-class workshops and with the
technology manufacturers exhibiting in the hall.
"In 2018, I think we will be bringing a much
fuller programme to the seminars and workshops
as there is so much to get through and more
variety than in the previous events," says Richard.
"The ultimate aim for us is to communicate the
information that our approved companies need
and we use the Summit to show them the latest
technology in the marketplace and develop their
appreciation of Standards and Codes of Practice
to help bring added value to their business. We're
not exhibition organisers but this form of event
helps us meet many of the requirements of our
companies so we are happy to arrange the
Summit for their benefit. Furthermore we’re keen
to make sure that our companies get the most
from their time away from the day job, so we’re
constantly honing the event to meet their needs.”
The NSI Summit will be held on 22 March 2018
at the Vox Conference Centre, Birmingham.
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