Ports Security manager awarded top honours

Ports security manager awarded top honours

BEVERLEY STEWART, security manager, Ports Authority of Jamaica, was among three American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) members recently honoured by its Jamaica Chapter for outstanding contribution to the local security industry.

Security manager for the Kingston and Montego Bay Free Zones, Stewart was awarded alongside Jason McKay, chief executive officer, McKay Security and Investigative Services, and Dr Kenroy Wedderburn, CEO of the Firearm Licensing Authority.

Stewart was lauded for her role in implementing the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, a comprehensive set of measures to enhance the security of ships and port facilities, developed in response to the perceived threats to ships and port facilities in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in the United States.

After joining the Port Authority in July 2004, Stewart had oversight for the port of Montego Bay and the Ocho Rios Cruise Ship Terminal, along with other ports in the western belt of the island.

She was charged with the responsibility to implement the guidelines of the ISPS Code as set out in the Port Security Plan for those two ports.

Stewart is the holder of a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and management studies and a certificate in public administration from the University of the West Indies. She also has several certifications in management, maritime security, as well as port security, from the Organisation of American States.

BROAD SECURITY INTERESTS

ASIS International is the leading organisation for security professionals worldwide. Founded in 1955, ASIS is dedicated to increasing the effectiveness and productivity of security professionals by developing educational programmes and materials that address broad security interests. The Jamaica Chapter emerged as a spin-off from the West Indian Chapter in 1975, and received its charter in January 1980.

Membership comprises security professionals from many of the island's top companies and organisations as well as sole practitioners. They formulate and implement security and safety policies and programmes for their organisations. They also develop and implement security systems to reduce employers' loss from internal and external threats and from natural and man-made events.