The Blog / News
What’s bugging the CEO this week?
What’s on all of our minds is the current uptick in tensions between the US and Iran and how this has and may continue to affect the region, particularly the Gulf and the energy sector. The assessment of our analyst team is that things are unlikely to escalate to the level of an actual conflict, but as security professionals, we still need to take into consideration the risk of both miscalculations, as well as that of smaller yet still significant developments that may affect the regional landscape.
Whilst there are always tensions in the Middle East with rhetoric and brinkmanship as a constant backdrop, this can be escalated when external players decide to make their mark. This can be even more worrying when there is no clear message and direction as people will always assume the worst.
For companies located and operating in areas that would be affected if this escalated even further, this is the time to check your security structure is both effective and fit for purpose. Checks should be made on proactive and reactive safety and security measures. It is not often you get the luxury of receiving a warning, so do not make the mistake of ignoring it.
Le Beck quoted in (FR) La Croix on the recent round of escalation in Gaza
Le Beck was quoted in French Newspaper La Croix on the recent round of escalation in Gaza, as well as its political implications. Le Beck’s Deputy Head of Intel commented that Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu would “have prefered to concentrate on the question of Iran, which makes him look like the only leader in Israel capable of going head to head with superpowers, such as Russia.”
Le Beck wrote for Divergent Options in Islamic State communication
Le Beck analyst Kierat Ranautta-Sambhi penned an article in Divergent Options regarding the strategic communication used by Islamic State (IS) in order to recruit in Syria: “In relatively simple terms”, writes Ranautta-Sambhi, Daesh’s strategic communications included incorporating a trifecta of local issues: (1) anti-Assad sentiment, (2) sectarian cleavages, and (3) socio-economic challenges. All three issues remain unresolved despite the collapse of the territorial caliphate. Given the initial success of such narratives in gaining support for the group, and the fact that such issues have outlasted Daesh’s initial territorial successes, this trifecta of grievances could still pose a threat moving forward, even as Daesh shifts (back) towards insurgency”.
Bahrain-based Le Beck launches new office in Malaysia
MANAMA, 5 days ago
Le Beck International, a leading specialist security and risk management consultancy company with offices in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, has announced the formal registration and opening of its new regional head office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The office has been opened in response to an increasing demand for its security services in South East Asia, the company said.
Securing financial institutions: An interview with Devlin Zents
1. What is your role in Le Beck and how did you get to the security field?
I am a Senior Security Adviser with a specific focus in the financial sector. I spent a number of years in both the South African military and the South African Police force. I retired from the police force having worked as a detective within the specialised Commercial Crime Unit, investigating high value fraud and corruption. This was a precursor to my moving into the security field including Bahrain specifically in the hospitality, banking and later in Oil and Gas with Chevron Corporation as their National Security Operations Manager for Iraq.
2. What would you recommend to a client that would find him/herself in such circumstances? What should he or she have done prior to that in terms of contingency planning?
Financial security differs in that it is multi faceted as it incorporates auditing, physical security, manned guarding, electronic security as well as training to name a few of the activities.
The aim is to ensure an effective overall security strategy that meets the current threat requirements while at the same time building resilience and planning for the future. Doing so in a cost effective manner that supports the business plan of the bank and protects the reputational integrity of the bank
3. What do you think is Le Beck’s experience and competitive advantage when it comes to protecting financial entities?
LBi has a broad footprint in terms of skill set and expertise. This covers investigations, technical and engineering as well as multi national exposure to say the least. All this harnessed together allows LBi to present our clients with a robust security experience and capability.