The 38th International East - West Security Conference organised by Capricorn Conferences and Exhibitions was held on 5th and 6th November 2018 at the elegant Hotel West End on the Promenade des Anglais, Nice, France. Delegates representing private and public sector organisations from the Russian Federation and Ukraine participated in an intensive two days of presentations by speakers drawn from the UK, USA, Italy and Russia, supported by simultaneous translation in English and Russian.
Conference Chairman, Patrick Somerville QPM, welcomed the delegates and under the theme of ‘Protecting Yourself and Your Business’ reflecting the recent collapse of several retail and other sector businesses, introduced a programme that included the development of corporate governance and regulation in the UK with emphasis on the ‘Comply or Explain’ approach to compliance with codes of conduct and management.
National critical infrastructures
The need for business continuity and planning based on the international ISO22301 Framework was discussed against the background of global threats
The issues of integrated security management and fraud prevention practices were highlighted by actual case histories from various jurisdictions, together with understanding of the ‘Audit Expectation Gap’ that exists between stakeholders and auditors evidenced by the failure to the discovery of fraud at all levels during formal audits.
The need for business continuity and planning based on the international ISO22301 Framework was discussed against the background of global threats to business from cyber-crime and related activities. New cyber counter measures including the growing use of artificial intelligence, video analytics and biometrics as tools in the fight to protect national critical infrastructures, businesses and public services outlined how governments and industries were raising the levels of protection required against increasingly sophisticated and penetrating threats.
Russian commercial activities
Various speakers addressed the importance of protecting corporate assets with emphasis on due diligence procedures to prevent insider crimes and fraud. Case studies of elaborate schemes and compliance failures in both commercial and banking sectors resulting in massive losses and illegal gains demonstrated the considerable efforts needed to investigate and successfully prosecute those responsible.
Insights into the operation of Russian commercial activities, including measures to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing in a business engaged in the leasing of plant and stock for the operation of railways and other enterprises contributed to the range and diversity of the topics discussed. Current concerns about identify theft, data security and protection from cyber-attacks featured prominently in the programme.
Best business practices
At the conference closing banquet several delegates expressed their appreciation of the opportunity to meet with colleagues from other countries
Delegates were again urged to ensure that awareness of new developments and systems and the protective measures needed were not only understood at Board level in all organisations but were recognised and endorsed as Board level responsibilities for effective implementation and oversight where required.
At the conference closing banquet several delegates expressed their appreciation of the opportunity to meet with colleagues from other countries, sharing professional experiences through presentations and discussions, and gaining knowledge and understanding of best business practices in countries represented.
The International East West Security Conferences are promoted twice yearly by Capricorn Exhibitions and Conferences in cooperation with several other supporting bodies and held in various European cities to promote understanding and the exchange ideas and information between those engaged in managing security in public and private sector organisations in United Kingdom, Member States of the European Union, the Russian Federation and other countries in Eastern Europe.
