On Tuesday 27th July the NSW Chapter of ASIS International held the premier ASIS in Australia event.
Pictorial Highlights from the Conference.
Some 120 people attended to hear speakers present the conference theme: 'The Human Factor in Security Management.' The Conference sought to answer the complex questions of why good people turn bad; what drives a criminal, a terrorist, a corrupt person. Exploring the psychological aspects of terrorism, torture, crime and workplace violence our speakers presented a unique and insightful experience to those in attendance.
The opening speaker was Nick Kaldas, NSW Deputy Commissioner of Police, who provided an overview of the current status of terrorism world-wide; how terrorism and terrorists are adopting to changing circumstances and how Australian law enforcement is tackling the challenge of local home-grown terrorist threats. Our second speaker was Dr Alex Kristovics of the University of Western Sydney; Alex discussed how good people turn can become torturers. Providing an overview of major university studies in which participants were asked to "administer" electric shocks to people, the studies disturbingly revealed that many people will "follow orders". Alex also provided a discussion of the recent experience with the United States in the Abu Ghraib scandal.
After a short tea break the Conference reconvened to listen to Dr Michael Kennedy also from the University of Western Sydney. Michael presented the societal influences driving corrupt behaviour and the perceptions of wrong-doing in our media-saturated culture. Michael's distinct presentation style was warmly received by the attendees! Our last speakers were Dr Troy McEwan of Monash University and Dr Lisa Warren. Troy and Lisa reprised their presentation from the ASIS International Asia-Pacific Conference in February 2010; presenting a very interesting presentation on stalking, fixation and the impact of those affected with psychological issues in the workplace.
All attendees and speakers were then treated to a three course luncheon with select Australian wines. During the luncheon, Rod Cowan, well known Australian journalist and commentator on security, presented his now traditional humerous "headlines" from the Conference. From the rather sombre subject-matter Rod was able to present a few laughs.
The Conference was a spectacular success and warmly received by all attendees and speakers. The NSW Chapter Chair, Nick Stramilos, CPP would like to thank the hard work of its Event Coordinator Lyndall Milenkovic, Secretary Sean Trewin, PSP, Deputy Chair Allen Barry, CPP, Assistant Regional VP for NSW, Martin Moseley, PSP, CPP, and Treasurer Paul Storey, PSP, CPP in making the Conference a memorable and worthwhile event. Nick would also like to thank the Conferece Sponsors and Supporters: Platinum Sponsor, ACG Fire and Security; Gold Sponsors, SNP Security and Mega Fortris Australia; a note of thanks also to ID Warehouse, FSH Fire and Security Hardware, Wilson Security and Paragon Risk Management. A thanks also to the Westpac Group for their ongoing and generous support of the NSW Chapter.
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