Empowering women: A Country President’s vision for equality and inclusion
This March 2024, we get to know Bissan Barqawi, Country President UAE, at Securitas. A finance professional with a master's degree, has navigated various roles within multinational organisations, notably Securitas UAE, where she rose to Country President last year. Her journey, marked by resilience and strategic leadership, was tested during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasising adaptability and a lot of dedication. Within Securitas, initiatives promoting gender inclusivity, flexible working hours, tailored career development plans and empowering women, reflects Bissan´s own career path. Find out how Bissan identifies critical security threats for larger companies, advocating for measures like cyber security enhancements and insider threat detection.
Securitas is a global knowledge leader in security. From a broad range of services of specialised guarding, technology solutions and consulting and investigations, they customise offerings that are suited to the individual customer’s needs, in order to deliver the most effective security solutions. Everywhere from small stores to airports, our 370,000 employees make the difference in the 58 countries they operate.
Bissan Barqawi, Country President UAE, Securitas
Hej SBC Member!
Who is Bissan Barqawi?
I am Bissan Barqawi, a goal-oriented professional deeply passionate about cultivating client relationships and advancing people development. My academic journey in finance, crowned with a master's degree, laid the foundational stones of my career path. Throughout my career, I've been privileged to work within multinational organizations, where I've sharpened my expertise in strategic planning, leadership, innovation, and navigating multicultural environments. A pivotal moment that significantly shaped my career trajectory was my tenure at Securitas UAE, a period during which I amassed invaluable knowledge and experiences, guiding me to my current professional standing.
My distinctiveness lies in my unwavering dedication to continuous improvement, upholding ethical leadership principles, and ensuring customer satisfaction. As the Country President of Securitas UAE, I am at the forefront of spearheading innovation, broadening our market presence, enhancing operational efficiency, and revolutionizing industry standards, particularly concerning the welfare of security officers and the services we offer.
My belief in the significance of contributing positively to society permeates both my professional and personal life, underscoring my commitment to remaining humble and grounded. My career journey eloquently speaks to the essence of resilience, flexibility, and an unyielding commitment to excellence.
Can you elaborate on your journey within Securitas, highlighting the key milestones and challenges you encountered on your path to becoming the Country President of the UAE?
Reflecting on my journey with Securitas UAE, which culminated in my role as Country President, I see a path defined by growth, strategic leadership, and resilience, especially highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
I began my journey with Securitas as a part-time employee, initially assisting the Country President while also managing the marketing department. This arrangement was ideal for me as a new mom, allowing me to balance work and family commitments effectively.
As I settled into my role and gained confidence, I transitioned to a Commercial and Risk Manager position. This marked a significant milestone in my career journey, as I took on greater responsibilities and contributed to the company's strategic direction.
Subsequently, I progressed to the role of Commercial Director, where I spearheaded initiatives to drive growth, innovate, and expand our market presence. This role provided me with invaluable insights into strategic planning and client relationship management, setting the stage for my eventual appointment as Country President.
The challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic arose when I was serving as a Commercial Manager. The pandemic tested every facet of our operations, particularly our ability to ensure the safety of our employees and maintain service quality for our clients. Despite facing uncertainties and obstacles, we remained agile and resilient, navigating through the crisis with determination and strategic planning. Throughout this period, I was proud to be part of the country leadership team in implementing comprehensive health measures, adopting remote working arrangements, and leveraging technology to sustain our operations. Our commitment to not laying off any employees, despite the challenges, underscored our dedication to supporting our team and maintaining their job security.
Financially, we remained stable and profitable by carefully managing resources, optimizing operations, and exploring new service areas. This strategic approach ensured that Securitas UAE emerged from the pandemic stronger and more resilient than ever before.
In summary, my journey with Securitas UAE has been characterized by continuous growth, adaptability, and a relentless commitment to excellence. The challenges we faced during the pandemic only reinforced our determination and resilience, setting a strong foundation for future success."
The Securitas Team - Women Empowerment
With the International Women's Day approaching - with this year's theme, Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress could you share some specific initiatives or strategies implemented by Securitas to empower and support women within the organisation, as well as any notable corporate social responsibility efforts aimed at disadvantaged communities?
Certainly, Securitas has been steadfast in its commitment to promoting gender inclusivity and providing equal opportunities for women within the organization. The company has implemented several initiatives and strategies to empower and support women, acknowledging the challenges often faced by females in the security industry.
Recognizing the unique dynamics of the security sector, Securitas has taken proactive measures to create a balanced and inclusive environment, fostering a workplace culture that encourages women to pursue careers as security officers. To address the specific needs of female employees, the organization has established comprehensive policies, including flexible working hours, maternity leave provisions, and support for unplanned leave. These initiatives aim to provide assurance to women that they need not compromise personal or professional aspirations to pursue fulfilling careers in the industry.
One notable aspect of Securitas' commitment to gender equality is the implementation of a career development plan tailored for women. This plan facilitates their professional growth, recognizing that career progression may require tailored approaches. The organization's dedication to inclusion and fair opportunities extends beyond policies to active support, ensuring that women feel valued and empowered in their roles.
Importantly, Securitas has successfully broken gender barriers within the company, with female employees holding pivotal roles ranging from security officers to global Security Manager positions. This not only serves as a testament to the organization's commitment but also provides tangible examples of successful career paths for women within the company.
My personal journey within Securitas, starting as a part-time employee and progressing to the role of Country President, serves as a compelling example of the organization's dedication to supporting women in their professional endeavors. The realization that the company culture, from management to HR, prioritizes employee support and career development underscores the comprehensive and inclusive approach that Securitas embraces.
In summary, Securitas has taken proactive steps to address the challenges faced by women in the security industry, implementing policies, and fostering a culture that not only attracts women to the field but also supports their professional growth and success. My own experiences exemplify the organization's commitment to providing equal opportunities and creating an environment where all employees can thrive in their careers.
Karolien Verbeiren, Former COO of Securitas AMEA, Craig Mackenzie, COO of Securitas AMEA and Bissan Barqawi, Country President UAE.
In your experience, what are some of the most critical security threats that larger companies should be vigilant about, and what proactive measures do you recommend they implement to mitigate these risks effectively?
Certainly! Here's the blended response without bullet points:
In my experience, some critical security threats that larger companies should be vigilant about include cyber threats like data breaches and phishing scams, physical security risks such as theft and unauthorized access, insider threats from employees or contractors, and supply chain risks like disruptions and counterfeit products.
Over the years, one of the biggest threats that I have seen, yet often overlooked, is insider threats. Companies are very good at recognizing and preventing external threats but often ignore the threat posed by their employees. Employees already in many cases have access to secure information relating to the business itself and its clients. They may also know how to circumvent the security measures already in place and could use that information to allow an external attack if they chose.
To mitigate these risks effectively, larger companies can implement proactive measures like strengthening cybersecurity with regular security assessments and employee training, enhancing physical security with access controls and surveillance systems, implementing insider threat detection programs and employee training on security policies, conducting risk assessments of the supply chain and establishing security requirements for suppliers, and developing an incident response plan to respond to security incidents effectively.
My advice would be to implement measures such as limiting access to systems and information on a need-to-know basis, providing comprehensive training to all employees on identifying and reporting insider threats, and conducting thorough pre-hiring screenings, particularly for roles with access to sensitive information. Additionally, having a robust process in place for offboarding staff, including immediate revocation of system access, in case of any suspicious behavior or incidents, is crucial to mitigating this risk effectively.
What long-term vision or aspirations do you hold for yourself?
My long-term vision is to pursue a career path that allows me to make a positive impact on people's lives, society, and the industry as a whole. Throughout my journey, I've been dedicated to pushing boundaries and challenging industry standards. One of our key objectives was to revolutionize the work-life balance for our employees. By implementing shorter working hours and ensuring competitive salaries above industry standards, we were able to witness firsthand the transformative impact this had on our officers and our clients alike. However, I believe there is still more ground to cover and achievements to unlock. This can only be achieved through continued empowerment and collaboration between ourselves and our clients.
Additionally, I am deeply committed to inspiring all women, especially in my country, to break through boundaries and pursue their dreams with determination and resilience. I believe in empowering women to strive for success and create meaningful change in their lives and communities
Thank you Bissan for sharing your story with us! We wish you all the best in your new role!
Bissan Barqawi, Country President UAE, Securitas
Email: bissan.barqawi@securitas.ae
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