RiskXtraDecember2018

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x RISKXtra Meet The Security Company have serviced over 2,000 organisations in that time. Our screening model is underpinned by exceptional information security and proprietary technology such that we deliver accuracy and consistency in everything we do. This is the fourteenth instalment in a series of articles for the readers of Risk Xtra where we shine the spotlight on NSIapproved businesses for the benefit of risk and security managers who purchase security guarding as well as systems-focused solutions. Answering our questions on this occasion is Eyal Ben Cohen, CEO of Verifile About the National Security Inspectorate Risk Xtra: Can you briefly describe your business’ activities and what you consider to be your USP as an organisation? Eyal Ben Cohen: Verifile is an independent background screening provider focused on the delivery of accurate data and building longterm relationships with its customers. We’re passionate about creating transparency within a workforce. We believe that highperforming teams typically operate in a culture of openness, honesty and mutual respect. Such a culture gives rise to effective collaboration, innovation and improved productivity. Creating that sort of culture is a significant undertaking for any organisation. We don’t claim to be able to deliver that on our own, but we can play our part with comprehensive candidate background checks. In making sure that every one of their employees is everything that they claim to be, we don’t just want to reassure businesses that their recruitment decisions are correct and that their people risks are being satisfactorily managed. We also want to contribute to that culture of truth and openness. Based in the UK, we’ve been operating in the background screening sector since 2004 and The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) is a wholly-independent, not-for-profit company limited by guarantee and operates as a UKAS-accredited certification body specialising in the security and fire safety sectors. For over 40 years, the NSI has served to protect businesses, homeowners and the general public alike, raising standards by providing robust and high quality audits of both security and fire safety service providers. Risk Xtra: What do your clients value most about the services you provide? Eyal Ben Cohen: Clients really value the way in which we combine efficient processes with a passion for excellent customer service. They appreciate how we use technology to automate manual procedures, improve the accuracy of our data and reduce the pain that candidates and clients can feel in collecting the background information required for screening. Our clients are reassured by the rigour employed within our research and compliance processes as this means they will not have to take any unnecessary risks during their recruitment procedures. They also appear to value the human touch we bring to the whole process. This comes across in how we interpret the data, understand the people-related risks facing our clients’ businesses and how we challenge them on what their screening requirements really are in the real world. That final point is incredibly important. Presented with a set of screening requirements that we feel doesn’t go far enough to meet a client’s needs, we’ll say so – and then we’ll demonstrate how we could build a deeper, more fit-for-purpose process for them. Risk Xtra: How do you feel accreditations have assisted your company? Eyal Ben Cohen: Accreditations have certainly assisted Verifile in its operations and growth. We hold many accreditations for security, quality and people-focused operations, among them Investors in People, NSI Gold (BS 7858). Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO 27001, ISO 9001 and also ISO 14001. They help in demonstrating to clients, suppliers, employees and candidates alike that we adhere to the highest possible standards. 50
Meet The Security Company: Verifile In association with the Risk Xtra: Specifically, what value does NSI Guarding Gold approval bring to your business and its clients? Eyal Ben Cohen: British Standard 7858 is an important framework for conducting background checks in highly secure environments. We value the input and advice we receive from our NSI auditor. As an expert in the field, the NSI can help guide our decisionmaking. Many of our clients have similar requirements for adherence with the Security Industry Authority’s (SIA) Approved Contractor Scheme and the NSI. With this approval, Verifile not only proves itself to be a quality solution provider, but can also serve a larger segment of the security business sector. Risk Xtra: How do you feel technology has changed the industry over the last couple of years and what do you believe will be the direction of travel in the future? Eyal Ben Cohen: Technology has indeed changed the industry over the last couple of years and will continue to do so. We see it as a critical part of our future business which is why we plough over 10% of our turnover into technology R&D. In recent years, we’ve been able to integrate our screening platform with our clients’ HR systems, allowing them to use our services directly within their preferred system. Integration with data sources has allowed us to reduce manual processes and turnaround times while increasing accuracy, in turn making screening services more affordable. Thinking ahead to how technology may continue to drive change within Verifile, three areas spring to mind. First, there’s the continued integration of our software with even more data sources, thereby removing the need for any time-consuming manual checks. Then there’s Artificial Intelligence (AI). We’re already assessing how AI might be used to automate some of the simpler screening tasks. However, we’ll never let this replace the human elements of the process that we truly believe add so much value. Finally, there’s benchmarking, data analysis and predictive analytics. Working collaboratively with clients, we’re investigating what an analysis of their screening data might reveal about their recruitment processes and how they might be refined. Risk Xtra: When it comes to negotiating contracts and responding to tender requests, what aspects are of most value to customers and how are these changing? Eyal Ben Cohen: Customers can be nervous about data protection and the accuracy of data so the GDPR is a hot topic at the moment, as is information security. The more online and paperless our services become, the more that customers seem to focus on these areas when evaluating our services. This is one of the reasons why we’re investing so much in accreditations and certifications. Globalisation seems to play an increasing part in clients’ tender requests as well. They need to source talent from around the world and so they’re looking for a solution provider that can offer an international service rather than solely a domestic one. The legal landscape is constantly changing and affecting screening in many ways. Today’s clients seem to place a lot of importance on using a screening provider that can educate them about any such changes and guide them through the resulting process. One final – but incredibly important – consideration is that businesses want to work with suppliers who can deliver an excellent candidate experience. No client wants to – or should have to – put up with dated systems, unresponsive providers, data errors, quirky systems or candidate complaints. Risk Xtra: What are the most important attributes you look for when recruiting members of staff? Eyal Ben Cohen: It’s essential that we not only attract and retain staff with the right skills, but also the right traits in line with our company values. Every member of staff, as well as our contractors, has been vetted to BS 7858:2012 criteria. We screen to a higher level than BS 7858 requires. Demonstrating our commitment to Best Practice, our screening period is ten years while BS 7858 only requires five. Among the traits we look for in our team members are customer service knowledge, excellent analytical skills (the ability to review a completed screening form and identify gaps, trends and issues in the information provided by candidates), proficient organisation skills, a confident, professional and tactful telephone manner, outstanding interpersonal skills, exemplary attention to detail, a questioning mind and the capability to record information both quickly and accurately. Risk Xtra: How can the SIA, the NSI and industry standards best serve the sector in addition to the needs of your company’s clients and the wider public interest? Eyal Ben Cohen: Both the SIA and the NSI should continue to train and educate on matters impacting risk mitigation. Name Eyal Ben Cohen Job title CEO Time in security business sector I devised the original idea for Verifile just days before beginning my MBA course at Cranfield University and established the business post-graduation in 2004. I’ve run Verifile from a start-up and overseen its development to what it is today: a multimillion pound company employing over 100 staff Location of the business Verifile operates from its headquarters in Bedford. This location plays host to all of our operational staff, client and candidate relationship teams, account managers, our leadership team and software developers. We’re based 100% in the UK, although our service provision is worldwide Areas of expertise Global background screening provider Accreditations NSI Guarding Gold, Investors in People (Silver Award), ISO 27001, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, Cyber Essentials Plus Eyal Ben Cohen: CEO of Verifile 51 www.riskxtra.com>
Page 1 and 2: x www.riskxtra.com RISKXtra Securit
Page 3 and 4: x RISKXtra December 2018 Contents 4
Page 5 and 6: x RISKXtra Editorial Product upgrad
Page 7 and 8: News Update Government efforts focu
Page 9 and 10: News Analysis: ISC Report on UK Mai
Page 11 and 12: Opinion: Developing Security Skills
Page 13 and 14: Opinion: The Security Threat of Unm
Page 15 and 16: x RISKXtra BSIA Briefing Back in 20
Page 17 and 18: What Fire System Would You Choose t
Page 19 and 20: Cyber Security: Partnership Working
Page 21 and 22: Duty of Care: A Culture of Mutual R
Page 23 and 24: Certification in the Security and F
Page 25 and 26: FIRE SAFETY Management & Installati
Page 27 and 28: Thankfully, those taking the instal
Page 29 and 30: Evacuate everyone EN54-23 Approved
Page 31 and 32: FIRE SAFETY Vimpex makes move into
Page 33 and 34: FIRE SAFETY Kentec to showcase fire
Page 35 and 36: x www.riskxtra.com RISKXtra Securit
Page 38 and 39: x RISKXtra Showcase: Security Guard
Page 40 and 41: x RISKXtra Showcase: Intruder Detec
Page 42 and 43: x RISKXtra Showcase: Perimeter Prot
Page 44 and 45: x RISKXtra Showcase: Critical Commu
Page 46 and 47: x RISKXtra The Changing Face of Sec
Page 48 and 49: x RISKXtra The Changing Face of Sec
Page 52 and 53: x RISKXtra Failing to Plan is Plann
Page 54 and 55: x RISKXtra Whether it be the desire
Page 56 and 57: x RISKXtra CCTV Cameras and Fire De
Page 58 and 59: x RISKXtra ‘Mastery’, ‘Autono
Page 60 and 61: x RISKXtra People and Processes: Th
Page 62 and 63: x RISKXtra Apprenticeships: Revolut
Page 64 and 65: x RISKXtra Risk in Action Jacksons
Page 66 and 67: x RISKXtra Technology in Focus Tech
Page 68 and 69: x RISKXtra Appointments John Hirst
Page 70 and 71: ACCESS CONTROL ACCESS CONTROL ACCES
Page 72 and 73: CONTROL ROOM & MONITORING ADVANCED
Page 74 and 75: POWER UPS - UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER S
Page 76: Emergency Stairway Evac+Chair prov

RiskXtraDecember2018

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