Peter is NDY’s Global Security Lead and a SCEC Endorsed Security Zone Consultant (SCEC Consultant). He is also NDY’s National DISP Security Officer for Australia, responsible for ensuring compliance with Australian Defence Security requirements.
Peter has over 41 years security industry experience and has been a SCEC consultant for over 10 years. He has a broad range of experience with security requirements for the Australian Commonwealth Government, particularly including the Australian Department of Defence; and has extensive knowledge of the PSPF & DSPF, ASIO Technical Notes and Security Zone requirements, including Type1/1A Security Alarm Systems.
Peter brings a practical solution approach to his projects, especially sites where technical compliance can be an issue. He provides solutions to items or areas where full compliance to the ASIO Technical Notes cannot be achieved due to heritage issues or other requirements.
Here, he talks about his background in high security government work, his transition into security consulting and what the key considerations of good security design are for government.
What inspired you to become an engineer?
I came from an integrator background starting as an apprentice with the old Wormald Security doing high security government work in Canberra, then having my own security and fire company for 20+ years. After becoming too old to get into roof spaces and the like and seeing many poorly written security specifications I had an interest in becoming a security consultant. I got my first job as a consultant some 14 years ago and was lucky enough to become an ASIO licenced high security consultant (SCEC consultant) some 13 years ago.
Why security?
Security is quite interesting as it has many aspects including but not limited to physical builds, electronics, CPTED, risk assessments and many security levels (commercial, medium security and government high security). Technology, along with threats and risks, often changes and it is quite satisfying providing solutions that protect our clients and our environments.
What’s your career highlight project?
During my short time at NDY (2 years) I have worked on many interesting projects from a variety of clients across many offices. Projects I’ve delivered have been for the Australian Department of Defence, rail, data centres, commercial towers and many federal and state government clients including the Australian Passport Offices, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Australian Border Force, the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement & Integrity and the Commonwealth Department of Primary Prosecutions, just to name a few. Some projects involve just a single deliverable (security) while others are multi-disciplined, and I enjoy working with the wider teams.
Most Defence (or defence industry) projects I get involved with are where my strengths lie as an ASIO licenced SCEC consultant, delivering high security fitouts, including SECRET (Zone 4s) and Top SECRET (Zone 5s) areas. A recent Zone 4 data centre I delivered here in Canberra with our Melbourne team allowed me to pass on my knowledge of high security build requirements to NDY’s wider engineering team and this is great for picking up our skills in these areas across all affected engineering teams including electrical, mechanical, fire, communications and acoustics.
What innovative new approaches are you seeing when it comes to security?
We are finding commercial security moving to the cloud, although high security is not. Cloud based systems have some advantages and have overcome many of their early issues. We are also seeing security systems integrating into smart buildings systems more and more which is interesting and quite challenging.
If you’ve worked across regions or countries, and/or across Tetra Tech operating units, can you tell us about the key similarities and differences you’ve encountered when it comes to design within your field and your projects?
As mentioned above as a SCEC consultant I’ve delivered projects for the QLD, NSW, Vic, WA and SA teams and of course my local ACT office. Along with these Australian projects I have assisted the New Zealand (NZ) teams with proposals and advice. The high security requirements for the Australian commonwealth and state governments are a national requirement so there are no local amendments or challenges.
Where do you see the future of security design heading?
This depends on the market as commercial (offices) looks to be moving to cloud based systems, although high security does not look to be moving that way any time soon (due to obviously introducing more risks).
What tech are you playing with at the moment?
The electronic systems used in the security market (CCTV, access control, intruder detection, intercoms and alike) are changing like most electronics. Smarter, faster, smaller, more features and more integration possibilities are what we see all the time.
It’s challenging to keep up with these systems and requires the security team to constantly attend trade shows, manufacturers presentations and do our own research to ensure we are aware of the changes in abilities of these systems.
What legacy do you want to leave, when it comes to your career?
Good question, and I don’t really have a good answer here. That said, I have seen so many advancements in the electronic systems from when I started, it is truly amazing. 45 years ago, there was no communications as we know it now, as it was all hard contacts and relays, no mobile phones, no encrypted systems and CCTV was using CRT tech. Although technology has changed for the better, it’s people and governance that I see as becoming weaker.
As an example, it was a shame to see the commonwealth dropped the position of Agency Security Advisor (ASA) from the Commonwealth’s Security manual known as the Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF). ASAs within agencies were practicing security professionals and knew their stuff, so to speak. This made working with agencies easier than what we are left with now. Most commonwealth clients we deal with now have little understanding of the PSPF, ASIO requirements and good security practice. This puts a lot of pressure on us as engaged consultants to provide solutions that cover their known risks.
What is it like for young engineers in security?
I was never a young engineer, so I can only say that the security industry provides many avenues to explore from physical builds, to electronics, security risk assessments and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). It has many areas of expertise and is constantly evolving so it’s never dull. And lots to learn.
If you feel comfortable to do so, tell us a bit about your background (culturally).
I was born in Canada to an Irish father and an Australian mother, came to Australia when I was 8.
Tell us a bit about good security design for government (including Defence). What are the key considerations?
Government agencies own a wide variety of assets including people, information, physical assets, capability and/or reputation. We need to ensure our designs best mitigate the risks to these clients from known threats (such trusted insiders, foreign intelligence services, maverick individuals, issue motivated groups and organised crime). ASIO have guidance documents for the physical builds and have listed approved security equipment to use, however, each design is individual and often cannot fully comply with these requirements (especially for brownfield sites), so as security consultants we must produce alternate solutions that mitigate risks to client acceptable levels.
