Making the local OSPAs work

Issue 2/3 2023 Editor's Choice, News, Associations

I was thrilled to receive an invitation to attend this year’s Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) in the United Kingdom.

The OSPAs are a global awards scheme with a difference; they take the issues of being ethical and transparent seriously. The organisers do not appoint the judges, they are instead appointed by the leading security associations in the country. The judges also agree to mark independently to an ethics policy and have to declare a conflict of interest on every mark sheet.

There is an ethical sponsorship policy too, and all of the policies are published on their website. What makes it so special is that it is truly global recognition, with the OSPAs currently run in 16 countries, and for the first time, this year Namibia will also be celebrated. I also appreciate that there are different categories that appeal to different parts of the security sector — individuals, teams, organisations and initiatives, covering in-house, contract as well as public and private.

The important role that security professionals play is greatly underestimated. Often working long hours under tremendous amounts of pressure, they sacrifice much to make our world a safe and secure place to live, work and relax in. Hence, I indeed felt grateful to be part of an event that recognized and celebrated their hard work and dedication.

I was amazed by the grandeur of the event and the effort the organisers made in making the nominees feel that they were superstars. The venue was beautifully decorated, and the atmosphere was electric with excitement and anticipation. I looked around, and I could see people from different parts of the industry, all celebrating the other nominees and making meaningful connections.

The theme of comradery was emphasised further when the organisers remembered those members who had lost their lives in the line of duty throughout the year, unfortunately, a regular reality that we as security professionals need to live with. During the rest of the evening, it was heart-warming to see the joy on the faces of the winners as they received their awards. It was evident that the recognition they received was not just a pat on the back but a validation of their hard work and dedication to the industry.

As I watched the ceremony, I realized how crucial it is to celebrate the achievements of security professionals. I kept thinking to myself, “If only we could replicate this in South Africa.” Where else in the world do you have so few, doing so much for so many? Who more than they, deserve the recognition, the thank you and the motivation?

It takes support from an entire industry to make an event like this happen. This year will be the second year the OSPAs are held in South Africa and they need us as an industry to get behind our people and help make a difference. First by nominating those great individuals in your organisations that go beyond the call of duty, and secondly through help sponsoring the event to make it something remarkable.

Details of how to support the event, including sponsorship opportunities, can be found at https://za.theospas.com/. Let us get behind our remarkable people in our industry.

OSPA SA details

Entries to the 2023 South Africa Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) will close on the 18th of April, so do not delay in preparing your nominations.

Entry is free and nominations are invited in the following categories:

1. Outstanding Contract Security Company (Guarding).

2. Outstanding Security Consultant.

3. Outstanding Security Installer/Integrator.

4. Outstanding New Security Product.

5. Outstanding Risk Management Solution.

6. Outstanding Security Equipment Manufacturer.

Read more about the categories and enter at https://za.theospas.com/enter/. A panel of leading industry figures will select winners from finalists. Winners will be presented with their trophies in collaboration with Securex, South Africa on Wednesday 7th June 2023.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for those organisations interested in associating their brand with excellence and best practice, providing an opportunity to reach thousands of security industry professionals before, during and after the event. Sponsors will be profiled not only in South Africa, but also around the world. View the sponsorship brochure at www.securitysa.com/*ospa1.




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Free South Africa Market Report webinar from TAPA EMEA
Technews Publishing Editor's Choice News Transport (Industry) Training & Education Logistics (Industry)
October 2023 offers TAPA EMEA members and non-members opportunities to increase their knowledge of cargo crime and supply chain security risks in three countries in Europe, the Middle East & Africa region, where supply chains are most targeted by both organised crime groups and other offenders.

Read more...
Texecom increases support in the EMEA with key appointments
Editor's Choice Perimeter Security, Alarms & Intruder Detection News
Texecom announced two new appointments to its EMEA sales team: Thomas Vanden Wyngaerdt as Head of EMEA Sales and Tom Wright as EMEA Account Manager.

Read more...
Stadium security with Panomera
Editor's Choice CCTV, Surveillance & Remote Monitoring Integrated Solutions Entertainment and Hospitality (Industry)
To be able to better identify and track perpetrators and thus reduce financial and non-material damage in a soccer stadium, the operator opted for a video security solution from Dallmeier.

Read more...
Five ways to reduce your cyber insurance premiums
Security Services & Risk Management News
With the global costs of cybercrime expected to soar to $13 trillion within the next five years, cyber insurance is booming as organisations try to mitigate the risk of financial losses.

Read more...
What South Africans need to know about smart devices
Technews Publishing Editor's Choice
We live in a world surrounded by smart devices, from our pockets to our driveways and living rooms.

Read more...
Collaboration delivers integrated and holistic security
Guardian Eye CCTV, Surveillance & Remote Monitoring News Integrated Solutions
Guardian Eye and Lytehouse have partnered to integrate their speciality solutions and provide a holistic security offering that overcomes the fragmentation of security systems and services.

Read more...
From overwhelm to oversight
Editor's Choice Cyber Security Products
Security automation is vital in today’s world, and Microsoft Sentinel is a widely adopted, but complex answer. ContraForce is an easy-to-use add-on that automatically processes, verifies and warns of threats round-the-clock.

Read more...
Elvey Group and Technoswitch part ways
Elvey Security Technologies Fire & Safety News
The Elvey Group (a division of the Hudaco Group of Companies) is relinquishing its distributorship of the Technoswitch brand, following Hudaco’s acquisition of Brigit Fire.

Read more...
SMART Surveillance Conference 2023
Technews Publishing Editor's Choice CCTV, Surveillance & Remote Monitoring Conferences & Events
Some people think the future is all about cloud technologies, but the SMART Surveillance conference demonstrated that AI is making edge surveillance much more attractive, over distributed sites, than ever before.

Read more...
Has your business planned for the worst?
Editor's Choice Cyber Security Security Services & Risk Management
Incident response is a specialised part of security, like a hospital's intensive care unit: IR kicks in when the organisation detects a breach of its systems to stop criminals from doing more damage.

Read more...