Our second panel in our risk series, in partnership with The Keyholding Company and Dominus Tech delved into how organisations can navigate risk through the use of smart data and intelligence.
Panellists
- Rachel Webb CSyP MA, Chief Security Risk Officer, The Keyholding Company
- Gašper Hladnik, Founder, Dominus Tech
- Michael Pearce GCGI MBCI, Landsec Director of Security and Resilience, Chair of the Counter Terrorism Business Information Exchange (CTBIE), Non-Executive Director, Safer Business Network
Moderator
- Peter Connolly, CEO, Toro Solutions
Setting the Scene
Peter opened the discussion by addressing the risk landscape; he spoke about growing concerns around disinformation, the cyber and AI arms race, and the role of organised criminals using deepfake technologies. The panel emphasised that survival in this volatile landscape requires businesses and governments to embrace the chaos, and seize opportunities, by innovating in security and resilience.
The panel noted that the key differentiator between business success and failure is the ability to adapt quickly and use data effectively.
The Power of Smart Data in Navigating Risk
The panel began with a simple question to the audience: “Who believes that smart data is essential?” Nearly everyone in the room raised their hand, although with so many data and security experts present, this wasn’t surprising. The main challenge discussed, however, was not whether data is important, but how to get the right data and use it effectively.
In industries such as property management, mass data is already being used to make informed decisions, such as catering choices or forming marketing strategies but, in the security sector, we’re still behind. There is a real need to harness data to improve decision-making, predict risks, and create stronger security frameworks.
When used effectively, data can be incredibly powerful. One panellist shared an example from a high-risk area in London, where teams are working with vulnerable individuals. Data helped identify not only those at risk but also those causing harm, which allowed teams to target their efforts more effectively, offering support to vulnerable groups while keeping the public safe.
One panellist made a compelling analogy - when data is used properly, it’s like switching from black and white to colour TV. The picture becomes clearer, not only showing what is happening but also why. That’s when the real power of data comes through.
The Challenge
The panel discussed one of the most significant challenges facing organisations today. While they’re collecting vast amounts of data, they often struggle to use it effectively.
The real magic happens when data is shared, understood, and applied in the right way.
Shaping a Data-Driven Digital Strategy
Before discussing the challenges of data sharing, the panel emphasised the importance of starting with a clear “why” when it comes to data. Organisations need to begin conversations with clients early, shaping a digital strategy that aligns with their business objectives and by understanding the value of data for all stakeholders involved.
While digital transformation is often discussed, the panel made it clear that it’s okay to start small. Rome wasn’t built in a day. The key is collaboration - reaching out, knocking on doors, and understanding customer needs and budgets. By doing this, organisations can discover valuable opportunities and make progress.
Digital transformation isn’t just about adopting the latest technology; it’s about ensuring that data is applicable, structured, accessible, and actionable.
Dare to Share
A key obstacle that was raised to unlocking the full potential of data is the reluctance to share it. Privacy regulations, like GDPR, coupled with concerns about data ownership, have created barriers that prevent organisations from collaborating effectively. Vendors often treat data as their intellectual property, keeping it siloed to protect their business interests, which can limit the broader impact.
The panel stressed, however, that overcoming these challenges requires action from both technology providers and security professionals. It’s their responsibility to develop solutions that enable secure, compliant data-sharing while ensuring privacy and trust. Examples were given that identified security data is most likely a less priority for industries restricted by funds. Investment in data sharing is more so seen in industries where there is a public interest or a high return on investment.
In security there so much potential data out there that could be used to drive positive change but is less likely seen as a revenue generator for most organisations. This perception is likely to change in the near future where security data is becoming more valuable to drive positive and value added change.
Public Perception
Another reason that was addressed to why security is lagging behind is public perception.
Organisations are hesitating to leverage available technologies due to public perception of tools such as facial recognition. Despite this, the panel suggested that as the benefits of data-driven security - such as crime reduction and risk mitigation - become more evident, then public acceptance should hopefully grow.
Breaking Down Silos
One consistent theme throughout the discussion was the need for greater collaboration; Security professionals can no longer afford to operate in isolation.
Traditionally, different teams operate independently e.g. surveillance teams, road sweepers, control rooms, wardens, police officers, and private security all working in the same space, yet rarely communicating in real time. This lack of coordination is a major challenge, especially in public spaces where fast, informed decision-making is crucial.
The key is getting data and intelligence from these different stakeholders and demonstrating how effective it can be when we collaborate. The tendency for team insularity should be overcome, to achieve the benefits of collaboration and technology is becoming more of an enabler if used correctly.
At its core, this is about connecting good intentions - if someone sees something concerning, they should feel empowered to report it. The challenge is removing the traditional silos that prevent information from flowing where it’s needed.
A crucial point raised by the panel was how rarely security teams are asked to share intelligence back. If we keep security data locked away in its own silo, others won’t see its value, and we’ll only be building barriers for ourselves. True progress will come when we integrate security intelligence into the wider operational ecosystem, ensuring that risk management is a shared responsibility, not an isolated function. Intelligence collaboration and is the cornerstone of threat intelligence, and the origin of convergence.
The Future of Predictive Intelligence
Looking ahead, the next decade will see a massive shift in how security and risk management operate. AI-driven analytics and real-time data integration will become the norm, enabling organisations to anticipate and mitigate risks before they escalate. Those who embrace data intelligence today will be the ones to shape the future of security.
However, predictive analytics are only as effective as the data they rely on. Without access to large, high-quality datasets, organisations will struggle to identify patterns and predict potential threats. The key isn’t just collecting more data; it’s about making sense of big data and transforming that raw information into actionable intelligence.
Leading the Way Forward
The panel closed with the ask of Security professionals and technology providers to take the lead in driving data-sharing initiatives.
The key takeaways are:
- Dare to share - technology providers must enable secure, compliant data exchange.
- Engage early - have conversations with clients to shape a digital strategy that maximises the value of data.
- Educate stakeholders - help them understand that security intelligence is a key enabler of business success.
- Embrace technology – Continued advancements in security, intelligence and risk management technology is giving us better information to make decisions and improve security, leading to greater returns on investment and safer environments. Those embracing this technology are reaping the benefits.