Martin Gill, Founder of the OSPAs
In December 2022 the second India Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs) took place, virtually because of Covid. The awards ceremony brought together all the leading security associations in India and recognised those who have excelled in different areas of security work.
The OSPAs are global, currently in 15 countries and expanding.
What makes them different to any other security awards scheme on the planet?
The OSPAs do not just recognise outstanding security companies and individuals (at different levels from director to those working on the frontline), they also recognise security teams, initiatives and products. The awards are based on strict ethical principles with a transparent process to create a level playing field. For example, all the judges are nominated by the security associations; they all agree to mark to an ethics policy; they have to declare any conflict of interest on every mark sheet. This is the same globally.
“The awards started in Norway, then to Germany and Australia, and is now in 15 countries; this year will see the addition of Canada, France, Ireland and New Zealand – these awards are truly global. In due course the winners of every category in every country will compete for a global OSPAs, that is our vision”
The awards started in Norway, then to Germany and Australia, and is now in 15 countries; this year will see the addition of Canada, France, Ireland and New Zealand – these awards are truly global. In due course the winners of every category in every country will compete for a global OSPAs, that is our vision.
There are a variety of categories, the same in every country, all based on research which was designed to distinguish those who are excellent from those who are merely good. The criteria are published for the world to see. They cover many diverse areas of security recognising that security professionals work in many different sectors conducting a range of important activities that need and merit being highlighted.
Increasingly, around the world, people are looking at the winners of the OSPAs as example setters; after all, to win an OSPA is an achievement, there is a more rigorous process than is normal with awards which makes being a finalist and a winner all the more rewarding. This is important, as a sector we need to recognise who is excellent and who is making a difference; that is a key route to progress.
Moreover, for too often competent security professionals and the organisations they work for and the teams they work with, have operated under the radar. As a consequence the true value of security remains under appreciated. In organisations the role of security is rarely understood for the true value it brings; the OSPAs are a part of the process bringing about a change.
In India, working with our event partners, Business World, we are already planning the 2022 OSPAs. It promises to be bigger than every before. We hope the event will be a physical event this year, a gala occasion recognising the very best security has to offer. And because the OSPAs are global, it is not just Indian security professionals who will be watching, the OSPAs will be a window to the world. We already know the very best of India security is excellent, we just need to tell more people about it.
