MSc graduate wins award for paper spotting security flaws at Dublin airport

UNIVERISTY of Leicester masters of science (MSc) graduate Graham Smaul, who earned his degree in security and risk management, has been recognised by the Association of Security Consultants (ASC) for writing the best academic paper that spotted security flaws at Dublin airport.

Mr Smaul received the award for writing a dissertation that identified threats to the airport encompassing terrorism, organised crime, fire and industrial action.

To produce the dissertation the 33-year-old graduate visited the airport to interview staff as well as industry experts to ascertain the accuracy of his findings.

Given that Mr Smaul is currently working overseas the Imbert Prize from the ASC was received on his behalf by Matt Hopkins, of the university's Department of Criminology, at the organisation's annual awards luncheon at the Royal Air Force Club in London.

Said Dr Hopkins: "The dissertation presents a thorough overview of a number of key issues in relation to risk management, including how to manage risk and how to apply risk management practices in a risky environment such as an airport. It deserves the award as it is thorough, original and of a high academic standard.

Since finishing his course, Mr Smaul has been working in Baghdad as a risk management consultant for Dubai-based security firm Shield Corporation. He has also previously been based in Mogadishu, Somalia, and was working in Triploi at the time of the Libyan revolution.

Said Mr Smaul: "I was honoured and thrilled to receive such a prestigious award and that my work was recognised by the ASC, as having relevance and important implications for the security industry as a whole."