For as long as I can remember, security has been more than just a line on my résumé or a business proposition; it has always been deeply personal. From my early years in the British Army through to the founding of Intelligent (UK Holdings) Limited in 2002, and now through my writing and commentary, I have come to recognise that writing about security-related issues is not simply an extension of what I do. It is an essential part of why I do it.

In this article, I want to explain the reasons why I write on security topics, how my experience has shaped this, and share a selection of articles that reflect the range of issues that inspire me to write. My hope is that by sharing the motivation behind my work, you will better understand its purpose and importance.

1. Bridging the gap between practice and public understanding

Having served as a soldier and later working in commercial security and intelligence, I have seen security in its most real and urgent form. When you have witnessed the impact of intelligence failures, weak risk culture, or reactive decision-making, you understand that security is never theoretical. It is always human and immediate.

Too often, however, the discussion about security remains isolated within professional circles. It is buried in risk registers, internal reports, and jargon. Through my writing, I aim to make this subject accessible and practical. It is important to explain not only what security measures exist, but why they matter and how they fail or succeed.

My article “Understanding Crime: The First Step to Preventing It”, published in International Security Journal, explored theories such as Rational Choice, Broken Windows, and the Swiss Cheese Model, showing how they apply directly to security professionals. By connecting theory to real-world practice, I hope to give readers tools that make their work more effective.

I wrote the article “The Traitors: How the BBC Turned a Parlour Game into a Masterclass in Human Psychology” because it offers more than entertainment—it presents a compelling real-world lesson in how social engineering, influence and behavioural shortcuts shape decisions under pressure. By dissecting the show’s mechanics and psychological dynamics, I aim to highlight how the same patterns of trust, deception and manipulation operate not only in reality television but within organisations, intelligence operations and everyday human interactions.

When we help people understand why certain security principles exist, we move from viewing security as a cost or an obligation to recognising it as an investment in resilience.

2. Building a stronger security culture

The weakest point in almost every security system is not a piece of technology; it is culture. A mindset that treats security as someone else’s responsibility is dangerous.

Through my articles, I challenge assumptions and provoke readers to think differently. What are we taking for granted? What are we ignoring? What risks have we normalised? These are the questions that strengthen an organisation’s awareness.

I have written on how social media creates vulnerabilities, how insider threats often stem from poor communication and trust issues, and how complacency within organisations leads to preventable mistakes. These are not comfortable subjects, but discomfort can be productive. By confronting weaknesses, we begin to change behaviour.

Security should not be hidden in secrecy. It should be understood, discussed, and embedded across every level of an organisation. My writing is one way to encourage that openness.

3. Learning and sharing knowledge

Even after more than two decades in this field, I continue to learn every day. Security, intelligence, and risk constantly evolve. New technologies and new threat methods appear, and writing helps me stay informed. To explain something clearly, you must first understand it deeply.

Writing is also an act of sharing. When I publish an article, I hope that someone somewhere, whether a security director, a board member, or a junior practitioner, will read it and gain insight that influences their actions. That is the real value of writing: the ripple effect of shared understanding.

In “Footballers: A Duty of Care”, “Insider Threat Mitigation”, and “Social Media, Your Ego and Security”, I covered very different areas, yet all explored how security awareness must extend beyond technology and into human behaviour. Whether the subject is sports, corporate risk, or online exposure, the principles remain consistent.

4. Connecting physical, digital, and human elements

Many people still think of security as either physical or digital, but in reality the greatest risks exist where those domains overlap. A strong firewall cannot compensate for a careless employee. Likewise, excellent physical security is meaningless if your systems or communications are compromised.

My writing aims to show how these layers connect. Effective security comes from understanding people, systems, and spaces as one ecosystem.

In several of my commentaries, I have explored topics such as cognitive warfare and information manipulation. These are examples of how traditional boundaries between cyber, intelligence, and physical security are disappearing. If professionals in each discipline continue to operate separately, the overall risk only increases. Writing is one way to bridge those gaps and encourage collaboration.

5. Encouraging accountability and foresight

When I founded Intelligent (UK) Holdings, my goal was to raise the standards of the industry. Writing publicly is part of that mission. It allows me to participate in the broader discussion about how we define, manage, and communicate security.

Publishing articles holds the sector accountable. It encourages reflection. Are we being proactive enough? Are we investing in training and continuous improvement? Are we truly embedding resilience instead of reacting to crises?

Writing also looks ahead. It allows us to think about what might come next. The threats of tomorrow will not look like those of today. By encouraging organisations to look forward rather than backward, I hope to help them become more adaptable and less vulnerable.

Selected articles I have written

Below are some examples of my published work, each exploring different aspects of security:

“Understanding Crime: The First Step to Preventing It” (April 2025, International Security Journal)
Examines academic theories and how they apply directly to real-world security planning.

“Insider Threat Mitigation” (June 2019, Intelligent Protection)
Explores the human side of insider risk and practical methods to strengthen trust and culture.

“Combating Activists” (October 2021, Intelligent Protection)
Looks at the level of Risk Management required to mitigate direct action from activists.

“Guide to Islamic culture for travellers” (October 2019, Intelligent Protection)
This article discusses Islamic culture, and tips for travellers to Islamic countries.

“Royal Bodyguards: The Pinnacle of Executive Protection Services”
(December 2017, Intelligent Protection)
Looks at the world of high-level close protection, training, and professional discipline.

“Celebrity Stalking Cases”
(Updated: July 2024, Intelligent Protection)
A look back at prominent celebrity stalking cases and what difference security measures may have had.

Final thoughts

Writing about security is more than a professional exercise for me. It is a responsibility. Security cannot improve in silence. Each article I write is an effort to educate, to challenge complacency, and to encourage better thinking across the industry.

At the core of everything I write are three beliefs:

• 1. Security is about people. Technology and systems support it, but human behaviour defines it.
• 2. Security is interconnected. Physical, digital, and cultural layers must operate together.
• 3. Writing is essential. It allows professionals to learn from each other and to strengthen collective resilience.

I write because the stakes are high. People’s safety, reputations, and futures depend on the strength of our defences and the clarity of our thinking. Complacency is the real enemy, and reflection is the first step toward prevention.

Every article is written with one goal in mind: to make someone, somewhere, think differently about risk. If that happens, then the time spent researching and writing has been worthwhile.

Thank you for taking the time to read and to care about these issues. Security will always evolve, and so will I. That is why I will continue to write, not because it is expected, but because it matters.