Leading Convergence Speaker confirmed

Willison will deliver a presentation around the new world of ‘Security Convergence, The Internet of Things and Smart Cities’. This will centre on the best response for businesses at risk from cyber-physical attacks.

Commenting on the confirmation of Willison as guest speaker, Paul Spence (marketing and communications manager at Cortech Developments) said: “We’re always seeking to evolve the COIE Series with a particular emphasis on providing added value for our delegates. James is a recognised leader in the fields of security convergence and Enterprise Security Risk Management (ESRM), and an established speaker at international security conferences. His presentation will be thought-provoking and immensely beneficial for our audience of end users and consultants.”

In 2011, Willison was awarded the Imbert Prize by the Association of Security Consultants for an ‘outstanding contribution to the security industry’ for his diligent work on convergence with ASIS Europe and the Information Security Awareness Forum. He has more than 20 years of management experience in the physical and information security spheres gained from posts including an advisory role on convergence to the Mitie TSM Board and senior lecturer in security management at Loughborough University.

In the latest SRI study by Perpetuity Research, 56% of security professionals indicated that they favour a single cyber-physical security team, while 38% prefer separate teams.

“My presentation,” said Willison, “will look at security convergence and demonstrate how a cross-functional team and converged technologies can achieve the degree of resilience required for building management systems and ‘Smart Cities’ in our increasingly digital world.”