The Security Circle

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🎙️ Podcast Summary
The Security Institute: Standards, Leadership, and the Future of the Profession
with Sarah Austerberry (CEO) and Julie Nel (Chair)
In this episode of the Security Circle Podcast, Yolanda Hamblen is joined by Sarah Austerberry, CEO of the Security Institute, and Julie Nel, Chair of the Institute, for a candid discussion about professional standards, leadership under pressure, and the evolving maturity of the security industry.
This is not a conversation about labels. It’s a conversation about leadership, credibility, and the long game of building a profession.
Raising the Standard of Security
At its core, the Security Institute exists to professionalise the industry. That means:
Validated professional grades
Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
Cross-sector collaboration (public, private, government, military)
Active engagement in policy and standards
Unlike more niche associations, the Institute positions itself as a broad, cross-disciplinary body. Whether you’re front line, intelligence, risk, cyber, protective security, academia or consultancy, there’s a place within its structure.
The key differentiator? Validation and accountability.
Professional grades are assessed. CPD is expected. Standards are upheld.
For employers and clients, that matters.
From Membership to Leadership
Julie reflects on her journey from member to Chair — and the reality of driving change within a long-established institution.Her focus has been simple: modernise perception, increase collaboration, and ensure the Institute reflects the industry as it exists today — not as it was perceived years ago.That hasn’t been without resistance.But leadership, as she makes clear, means absorbing pressure, holding course, and staying aligned to the long-term mission rather than short-term noise.
It’s a frank reminder that influence roles require resilience — and sometimes thick skin. The CEO Perspective: Decision-Making Under Pressure- Sarah offers valuable insight for senior leaders.
Stepping into the CEO role, she highlights a critical lesson:
You don’t need to have all the answers — but you must know how to test your thinking.Her approach:
Build strong internal teams
Use trusted external networks
Test hypotheses before committing to decisions
Recognise that leadership is not a solo act
Sarah frames change not as disruption, but as opportunity — when it is purposeful, proportionate, and clearly communicated.
Julie reinforces the reality that driving institutional change can be uncomfortable — especially when challenging legacy perceptions — but avoiding change is riskier.
Security, as a profession, cannot afford stagnation.
Imposter Syndrome Reframed
The discussion also touches on “imposter syndrome” — but reframed in practical terms.
Instead of seeing it as weakness, it’s positioned as a signal:
You are stretching.
You are outside your comfort zone.
You are growing.
For leaders and emerging professionals alike, that’s a powerful shift in mindset.
Community, Network, and the Long Game
Perhaps the most compelling takeaway is the emphasis on community.
The Institute’s value is not just accreditation — it’s access:
40+ years of collective experience in one room
Public and private sector cross-pollination
Mentorship and servant leadership
Informal peer support when leadership gets heavy
Security can be isolating at senior levels. Membership bodies — when functioning properly — remove that
Security Circle ⭕️ is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers

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🎙 Podcast Summary
The War We’re Already In: Intelligence, Identity, and the Fight for Critical Thinking
In this episode of The Security Circle Podcast, Yoyo sits down with Dr. Gustav A. Otto — an internationally recognised national security, defence, and strategic intelligence leader with more than 30 years of experience across HUMINT, counterintelligence, defence operations, and international security cooperation 
Gus’s career spans sensitive operations in conflict zones, Five Eyes security collaboration, and senior advisory roles shaping national security governance. Today, through his advisory firm, he translates high-level intelligence lessons into practical leadership tools for security professionals operating under pressure.
But this conversation isn’t about war stories.
It’s about something far more immediate.
We are no longer living in a world of clearly defined peace.
We are operating in the space between peace and war — where conflict is hybrid, psychological, and increasingly cognitive.
Together, we explore:
How hybrid warfare is reshaping the modern threat landscape
Why misinformation and identity politics are destabilising trust
The role of emotional intelligence in national security leadership
The hidden psychological cost of service, trauma, and guilt
Why critical thinking may be the most important resilience strategy of our time
Gus reflects candidly on failure, grace under pressure, and the importance of suspending judgment in culturally complex environments — from Middle Eastern deployments to high-stakes intelligence roles.
He shares the philosophy that now anchors his leadership approach — the “Otto Motto”:
Be a good example. Help the people. Make the world a better place.
In a world where narratives are weaponised and belonging can override reasoning, this episode challenges listeners to think differently about security.
Because the war we’re already in isn’t just about territory.
It’s about truth.
It’s about identity.
And it’s about whether we can think clearly enough to protect both.
 https://www.linkedin.com/in/gustav-otto/
Security Circle ⭕️ is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers

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“A credible award doesn’t celebrate popularity — it recognises provable impact.”
Summary
🎙️ "Beyond the Trophy: How Security Awards Shape a Global Standard" with Professor Martin Gill
What does a security award really represent?
In this powerful episode of the Security Circle Podcast, Yoyo Hamblen sits down with Professor Martin Gill, founder of the Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs), to explore how credible recognition can shape global standards — and why integrity in awards matters more than ever.
With OSPAs now operating in 48 countries and judged by more than 250 independent experts worldwide, Martin shares the research, principles, and ethical framework that sit behind what many now consider the gold standard in security recognition.
But this conversation goes far beyond trophies and ceremonies.
Together, they unpack:
Why credible award schemes scored so highly in global research on demonstrating value to stakeholders
The importance of blind judging, independence, and consistent global criteria
What truly separates a winning nomination from a weak one
Why “doing your job” is not enough to be considered outstanding
The role of storytelling — backed by evidence — in professional recognition
And the uncomfortable truth the industry must face: security is exceptional at what it does, but poor at saying how good it is
Martin reflects on the emotional impact of recognition, the responsibility that comes with defining excellence, and why awards — when done properly — don’t create winners. They reveal them.
The episode also touches on leadership, collaboration across membership organisations, the importance of raising standards globally, and how shining a light on best practice strengthens the entire profession.
This isn’t a conversation about gala dinners.
It’s about professional maturity, measurable excellence, and the power of recognition to elevate an industry that too often operates quietly behind the scenes.
If you work in security — frontline, operational, strategic, or executive — this episode will challenge how you think about credibility, impact, and what it truly means to be outstanding.
And you'll get to learn something we all didn't know about Martin too!! (Shhhh)

Professor Martin Gill LinkedIn: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-gill-b4405b82/

Security Circle ⭕️ is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers

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Episode Summary
In this special episode of The Security Circle Podcast, Yolanda “Yoyo” Hamblen is joined by three outstanding women in security — Gigi Agassini, Kehkashan Dadwani and Deb Anderson — to explore a subject that sits at the heart of modern risk management: The Risk of Being Human.
Originally presented at GSX, this conversation examines how rapid technological change, constant incident pressure, and performance-driven cultures are quietly pushing humanity to the margins of security decision-making. While organisations invest heavily in resilience, automation, and controls, the discussion challenges whether enough attention is being paid to the human factors that ultimately determine success or failure.
The episode explores the role of trust and psychological safety in security environments, highlighting why people are far more likely to report concerns, mistakes, or early warning signs when they feel supported rather than blamed. The panel discusses how fear-based cultures, hero mentalities, and burnout increase risk — even in highly mature security programs.
A strong focus is placed on human-centric leadership. The guests share practical insights on how leaders can design policies, training, and communications that reflect real human behaviour, motivations, and limitations — rather than idealised compliance models. From simple messaging changes to creating space for dissent and dialogue, the conversation shows how small shifts can create meaningful reductions in risk.
The discussion also addresses the growing influence of technology and AI, warning against over-trusting systems while under-valuing human judgement. The panel stresses that technology should enhance human capability, not replace it — and that bias, ethics, and accountability remain human responsibilities.
At its core, this episode delivers a powerful message:
security doesn’t fail because people are human — it fails when organisations forget that they are.
The Risk of Being Human is a compelling conversation about trust, culture, psychology, and resilience — and why the future of security depends as much on people as it does on systems.

Gigi Agassini
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gigi-agassini/

Deb Anderson
https://www.linkedin.com/in/debandersenpspcissp/

Kehkashan Dadwani
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kdadwani/
Security Circle ⭕️ is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers

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Podcast Summary
In this episode of The Security Circle Podcast, Yolanda “Yoyo” Hamblen is joined by Dean Armstrong KC, one of the UK’s leading barristers at the intersection of law, technology, and accountability.
Dean brings rare clarity to some of the most complex and consequential issues facing society today — from AI regulation and agentic systems, to crypto and blockchain litigation, to safeguarding, abuse, and institutional responsibility.
The conversation begins with the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, exploring the stark contrast between the European Union’s risk-based AI Act and the UK’s principle-based, lighter-touch regulatory approach. Dean explains why flexibility without certainty creates legal risk for organisations, and why AI is now too pervasive for governments to avoid meaningful intervention.
A central theme of the episode is human responsibility. Dean examines the legal and ethical challenges of assigning accountability when AI systems act autonomously, warning that innovation must never replace human judgement. He discusses the growing likelihood of litigation as AI becomes more capable, more opaque, and more embedded in decision-making across industries.
The discussion then turns to cryptocurrency and blockchain, drawing on Dean’s experience in major international crypto litigation, including work connected to the FTX insolvency. He challenges common misconceptions, explaining why blockchain is often an evidential asset rather than a liability, and why crypto and digital assets play a critical role globally — particularly in regions without stable banking systems. The episode also explores stablecoins, tokenisation, and why the UK risks falling behind in the digital asset economy.
Beyond technology, the conversation carries profound moral weight. Dean speaks candidly about his work representing victims in historic abuse cases and his growing focus on safeguarding in sport, emphasising that safe spaces are not optional — whether in workplaces, public institutions, or youth environments. He highlights how abuse thrives where oversight is weak and accountability is avoided, and why law has a duty to bring uncomfortable truths into the light.
Throughout the episode, Dean returns to a consistent message:
progress without guardrails is not progress at all.
This is a powerful, thoughtful conversation about guardrails, justice, and accountability in a digital age — and why the law must evolve without losing sight of the people it exists to protect.
About Dean
Dean is a top ranked, award-winning King’s Counsel Barrister in the United Kingdom. He has represented clients in numerous high profile cases and is a trusted advisor on a wide range of legal issues. He has deep expertise in criminal and civil corporate responsibility, law, cyber law, Artificial Intelligence, data law including GDPR, blockchain, cryptocurrencies and NFTs. 

His accolades include:

Chambers & Partners No.1 Silk for Cryptoassets 2024, 2025 (current)
Legal 500 Leading Silk for Crypto and Blockchain Assets 2025 Edition (current)
Frequent speaker at international conferences and in the media

Key publications include:

Cyber Security Law and Practice 
Lexis Nexis: first ed. 2017; second ed. 2019
with Dan Hyde and Sam Thomas 

Cyber Litigation: The Legal Principles 
Bloomsbury Professional: 2021
with Fergus McCombie and Ceri Davis

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-armstrong-kc-b5b2769b/
Security Circle ⭕️ is an IFPOD production for IFPO the International Foundation of Protection Officers