The two-day conference ‘Business and Security 2009’ organized by the Association of Croatian Security Managers (UHMS) concluded today at the ‘Four Points Panorama’ hotel in Zagreb. On the first day, the topics of the lectures were ‘The Architecture of the Security System of the Republic of Croatia’ and ‘Business-Intelligence Operations in Practice’.
After that, a panel discussion was held on the topic ‘The Value of Information in the Success of a Company’ where members of the Management Board Soboli Ivan Baketa, Đuro Črnjak from Hrvatska poštanska banka, and Boris Šušković, CEO of Wulf Sport participated. The discussion was moderated by Zoran Šprajc, a journalist and editor at HTV. Ivan Baketa emphasized the importance of security measures in preserving the company’s reputation, stating that safety is a prerequisite, and it adapts with the product. – For example, in Disneyland, the primary goal is to create an atmosphere of joy and carefreeness, while in banks, it is non-invasive controls aimed at greater security – said Baketa.
Đuro Črnjak agreed with the statement and added that investment always pays off, while Boris Šušković concluded that in the past practice, corporate security at Wulf Sport has served to achieve competitiveness, but the process is ongoing and must not stop.
On the second day, the topics were ‘Information Security in Practice’, and new technologies as tools for secure business were also discussed. The conference also presented the new magazine CSO published by UHMS. – We are extremely satisfied with the Third Conference as we have once again managed to gather representatives from all segments of security: public, corporate, private, and intelligence. From the fourth conference, we expect a regionally significant event to which we plan to bring a representative from the CIA – said Alen Ostojić, president of UHMS, for Lider.
The Association of Croatian Security Managers was founded in 2007 and today gathers 115 security managers from the private and public sectors. It was established with the intention of promoting, developing, and improving the profession in the field of security, promoting security culture, raising overall security, and developing partnerships between the public and private security sectors in Croatia.
A special guest at the conference was Kobi Mor, security manager of the pharmaceutical company Teva, one of the leading security experts and former senior commander of the Israeli secret service. He spoke about the importance of corporate security and homeland security and measures for developing the security sector in transition countries.
– I am very glad that Croatia has recognized the importance of developing security at multiple levels. Israel has had specific conditions for developing knowledge and skills in corporate and homeland security, especially in the last 40 years. Croatia is a transition country and has a good understanding of the importance of homeland security, but corporate security is equally necessary. The importance of saving human lives is unquestionable, as is the creation of profit, and Croatia urgently needs to adapt to European trends in order to compete with its values in the European market – emphasized Mor.
In addition to him, notable lectures were given by leading domestic experts in corporate security: Alen Ostojić, president of UHMS, retired Brigadier General Ivan Pokaz, security managers at Agrokor Marijan Benko and Hrvatska poštanska banka Đuro Črnjak, Pro alarm director Robert Pažitka, and the dean of the Faculty of Political Science in Zagreb, Prof. Dr. Vlatko Cvrtila.
About 200 participants attended the conference, and in addition to expert lectures and presentations, as well as panel discussions, new technologies related to security cameras and polygraphs were also tested. (Edis Felić)
