Developed in collaboration with the Technical Security Countermeasures Institute (TSCMi) and delivered by Perpetuity Academy, the course is designed specifically for Security Directors and Managers that develop and implement security strategy, including the protection of intellectual property, information assets, reputation and people.

Ken Livingstone, Group Training Director explained, “There is a very real and growing threat of espionage through advanced technical surveillance, which can threaten staff as well as intellectual property. This course shows Security Directors and Managers how effective countermeasures can be identified and applied to mitigate these worrying threats.”

The e-learning course is conducted over six months and covers four modules, called:

- Principles of Technical Surveillance

- Principles of Technical Counter Measures and Threat Mitigation

- Principles of Threat and Risk Analysis in the Context of Technical Surveillance

 - The Role of Technical Surveillance Counter Measures Consultants

John Carter, with a wealth of informative and intriguing contributions from fellow members of the TSCMi, designed the course with Perpetuity and commented, “The course follows a logical sequence of learning to introduce students to the subject which, together with the assignments which are based upon real experiences and scenarios, are informative and build upon each other as the student progresses. We look at how technical surveillance can be applied and examine highly effective ways of tackling it, as well as how this should be included in new and existing security and systems planning.”

Carter continued, “We also teach students how to find the right specialist professional advice to deal with threats and how to avoid the ‘cowboys’. The course examines different approaches to security planning in a variety of scenarios, the importance of fully assessing threat, risk and vulnerability, and the legal issues of surveillance and counter surveillance. For example, what to do if you catch a criminal in the act and the laws on personal privacy/monitoring suspects.”

The course is designed to demonstrate professional expertise through formal training and qualification, something which has been lacking in some parts of the security industry.

Livingstone elaborated, “Experience is very important and has tremendous value, but can be difficult to demonstrate. Equally, some levels of experience aren’t always relevant. You could have 20 years’ worth of experience, or simply be repeating one year’s experience 20 times! Specialist vocational training is filling this void by bringing all the elements together to validate experience.”

Professional training also makes sound business sense as Livingstone concluded, “Research by the Cranfield School of Management shows that investing in training not only saves money, but is more efficient than searching for new talent. Staff are more likely to stay and it is easier to recruit the right newcomers if you offer relevant training.”