21 Dec 2011
Norman Disney & Young (NDY) has added another first to its list of accolades, having the first female in Australia to achieve Security Construction Equipment Committee (SCEC) endorsement.
Melbourne based Security Services Consultant Roshan John recently achieved this high level security clearance – an endorsement requiring stringent criteria are met – unaware of her unique status.
“It wasn’t until I recently attended a SCEC function that I was informed of my status as the first woman in Australia to be awarded SCEC endorsement. It is a significant honour for me personally and an important coup for NDY as an organisation, particularly given our ever increasing specialised Defence and Government work. This means NDY now has four SCEC endorsed specialists around Australia.”
SCEC is the interdepartmental committee responsible for the evaluation of security equipment for use by Australian Government departments and agencies. SCEC reports to Attorney Generals Protective Security Policy Committee which was established by the Australian Government to develop and establish guidelines for protection of Australian Government resources. “Importantly for consultants like NDY” says Roshan “SCEC oversees government infrastructure jobs both in Australia and overseas and provides an opportunity to potentially ply our expertise on a global scale.”
Satisfying the requirement for practical on-site experience and consultancy expertise was an important component of Roshan achieving SCEC endorsement. The endorsement allows Roshan to work on high-level security Defence and government infrastructure jobs, such as ATO projects.
With a team of highly specialised SCEC consultants, NDY has been busy with a number of Defence tenders. In a highly competitive market, SCEC endorsement will provide a major fillip for future high security work and for Roshan, she looks forward to these opportunities.
Roshan studied in India and gained an Engineering Degree – specialising in Electrical and Electronics – which led to a posting in Dubai in 2001 as a security integrator. Roshan was then offered an opportunity to work in Australia and joined NDY in January 2008. NDY has been her first consulting role.
“Previously my work focus was on electronic security whereas now I take a broader view of a building’s security requirements. The design, architecture, engineering and construction all must be considered as part of a holistic approach to high-end security compliance. Even the landscape architecture must be evaluated to ensure a facility is not vulnerable to exterior penetration and follows the most stringent security protocols available.
“Being a SCEC endorsed consultant allows you to take a much more holistic view of a facility. You really drill the architecture and services on all the design elements and materials used and not just electronic security but also physical structure security considerations, right down to the finer details such as glass, wall finishes and even blinds
“Then it’s a case of ensuring those Stringent requirements follow through on the construction side with the builders, from straightforward intruder resistant buildings up to the most complex security installations. This can translate into ensuring that any opening over 150mm have been fitted with security grilles, and that the mesh is welded at each weld mesh joint and the grille is fastened to a permanent structure.”
For Roshan, it’s this attention to detail and highly collaborative process that is a highlight of her SCEC endorsement. “Working closely with the other members of the design team to ensure a quality compliant outcome is immensely satisfying, and an ongoing learning process.
“T4 Protective Security has final sign-off on SCEC Top Secret projects but ensuring that all elements have been done to perfection and satisfying client expectations is important to me personally and an engrained aspect of the NDY culture. I ‘m one of those lucky people that relish and enjoy every aspect of their work life.”
Staff News