Situational Security

George has over 20 years of progressive leadership experience, specialising in Security, Compliance & Risk Management and Government Relations. His passion for security began years ago in construction, working on several sites that had a security flavour. George shifted to Project Management, in particular delivering fibre networks at NDC before building AAPT’s National Backbone Network. It was at AAPT where he was first given the opportunity to lead a security and risk operations function that morphed and took on all levels of security including fraud and law enforcement. This initial grounding helped formulate the concept of converged security in his DNA and the importance of partnerships to help in the delivery of a mature security risk management program.

Currently, George is the Head of Security at Data Centre NEXTDC. This role sees him responsible for leading the security risk and compliance initiatives and effective security risk management practices across the organisation. George has been able to embed a security risk management culture into the design, construction, support and operations that enables the delivery of business objectives. During his tenure as a security risk manager, George has gained invaluable experience and an in-depth understanding in both operating and obtaining certification for ISO27001 and ISO90001 as well as of PCI, SOC Type 1 & 2, SOX and NIST compliance programs.

Highly regarded as a specialist within the Convention, Exhibition and Live event sectors, Eddie has been involved in the Security, Medical and Emergency Management planning to some of the largest conferences and events within Australia such as APEC, ASEAN and World Youth Day to name a few.

With over 20 years’ experience, Eddie has been involved in the development of Security and Emergency/Crisis Management frameworks for multi-national companies which has lead to invitations as a guest speaker to security, counter-terrorism and crisis management conferences within Australia, Singapore and London.

Eddie is the Director of Vital Risk Services Group and an alumni of Swinburne University of Technology with postgraduate qualifications in Emergency and Disaster Management.

Additionally, Eddie is an Accredited Venue Manager (AVM) through the Venue Management Association (VMA), a member of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) and he is the current NSW Chairperson for ASIS International.

Asher Gehl is the Managing Director of the Australian Office of Karagozian & Case, a global leader in the explosive effects and protective design field, whose mission is focused on solving complex and technically challenging problems using state of the art testing, analysis and validated design methodologies that have been developed over their 75 year history.  State-of-the-art physics-based analytical models and access to extensive test data allows K&C to effectively quantify the consequences associated with a diverse range of malicious, extreme and exceedingly rare events, as well as natural phenomena.

Asher is a Principal Member of the UK CPNI Registry of Security Engineers and Specialists (RSES) and a Chartered Professional Structural Engineer with eighteen years of experience in protective design and structural vulnerability assessments from blast and impact.  Asher has a long history of experience and exposure to explosive safety, counterterrorism and security and has successfully delivered numerous high-profile projects across several disciplines including Defence, Government, Transport (Major Rail and Aviation), Commercial, Petrochemical and Civil Infrastructure requiring design for blast, vehicular impact and progressive collapse.

Asher has developed a trusting working relationship with key Australian Defence, Government and Police stakeholders and is on the Executive Committee for the International Association of Protective Structures (Australia).

Andrew has been working with Manteena in a variety of key roles for over 23 years. During this time, he has successfully undertaken a number of complex and challenging projects with attention to detail and an assiduous approach to resolving design and construction issues to achieve excellence in project objectives and client outcomes. Now as General Manager of the specialist Manteena business, “Manteena Security (Aust) Pty Ltd”, Andrew is using his people and project/program management skills, along with strategic planning and development skills to manage this growing business and provide expert secure construction solutions to government and private clients globally.

Gavin is an Associate and Principal Protective Security Consultant for Security Consulting Group (SCG) Canberra Office.  Having been with SCG for almost 2.5 years, Gavin has worked on numerous Government and private client security projects, ranging from security risk assessments, facility design, specialised advice on mitigations for hostile attack, including blast, ballistics and hostile vehicle mitigations. Gavin’s security career has spanned more than two decades across all areas of protective security specialising in Government security.  Gavin worked for the AFP for over 19 years and served as both the Agency Security Advisor (ASA) and IT Security Advisor (ITSA) during his career, managing security at numerous facilities across Australia and International locations.

Chris has 14 years’ experience in the public safety realm, with ten years’ service at Victoria Police, primarily within organised crime investigations and critical incident response such as kidnappings, abductions and shootings. In 2017, he transitioned into the private sector leading national emergency planning and response, protective security of staff and assets at the AFL, before moving into protective security and risk consultancy in 2020. Chris now works on some of Australia’s highest profile events and with well-known brands to advise them on protecting their people, property and reputation.

As well as an extensive background in the public safety realm, Chris is currently on the Executive Committee for the ASIS International, Victoria Australia Chapter and holds the position of Secretary.

Kostas is an accomplished corporate governance, risk, project management, asset protection, safety and environment professional who brings over 30 years of experience in the government, commercial, industrial facilities, and professional services sectors.  Along with being a Board Member/Strategic Advisor to several Commercial, Not for Profit Boards and Executive Leadership Teams, he supports organisations with implementing programs to set clear strategic goals, innovation, protective security, cyber hygiene, risk minimisation and utilisation of resources.

Through these years of experience, Kostas has a strong belief that security will continue to be a crucial element in our shared future; whether it is through technology adoption, safer communities, national security or new industries requiring a protective framework to work.