....with Tony Haddad Nuclear Security Advisor Nuclear Security is regulated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is the United Nations Nuclear Watchdog. It is not a common skill set in Australia; it is highly specialised and this is due to our small nuclear footprint. In 2014, Australia was ranked the global leader in Nuclear Security and Tony Haddad is proud to have played a role in contributing to that. Tony has since departed Australia and is now based in Abu Dhabi, UAE to assist in developing a Nuclear Security posture. With over 20 years’ experience, including as a former Agency Security Advisor and senior roles in consulting, government and the private sector, Tony’s expanding expertise is a story worth following. How did you get into the security Industry? While I was studying for a Diploma in Hotel Management, I took a weekend course in security and was working doors to pay my way while studying. I was door knocking five star hotels for a job after I had graduated; I couldn’t find any roles that weren’t kitchen or cleaning related and the last hotel that visited was the Hotel Intercontinental Sydney. I was told that the only role available was a security officer position, desperate to work in a hotel to get a foot in the door; I pleaded my case and explained how I had my security licence and that my studies would add value to the role of security officer. I ended up completing an application form and started a few days later. How did your current position come about? I was a self-employed PSPF (Protective Security Policy Framework) and SCEC (Security Construction and Equipment Committee) Security Zone Consultant providing consulting services to a number of Government agencies; ANSTO (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation) was one of my clients. The role of Manager, Security and Operations / Agency Security Adviser became available with ANSTO, and I liked the people and the operating environment, so, I submitted. Having gone through the recruitment process I was fortunate enough to have been offered the role. What are some of the challenges you think the Nuclear Security domain is faced with?
4 | Australian Security Magazine
Information management is a key obstacle, not only in a Nuclear Security context, but applicable to business in general. The information may be intellectual property, classified national security information or personal files, but the imperative is to ensure that the storage, access to and availability of information, systems and assets are considered. Whether a security professional relies on consequence matrices or business impact levels, the protection must be commensurate with the residual risk and appetite of the risk owner. Where do you see the industry heading? That’s a difficult one to answer, although as we are becoming more and more focused on risk management, I would say the role of security professionals may see itself transitioning slightly into the enterprise risk and resilience sphere; as security is a control tool to address the realisation of risk.
Australia has maintained its top ranking following reductions in its quantities of highly enriched uranium and ratification of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. The ranking complements the findings of an International Atomic Energy Agency Physical Protection Advisory Service mission in November 2013 which concluded that nuclear security within Australia has long been of a high standard and has been significantly enhanced in recent years. Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop, 10 January 2014.
What do you do when you’re not working? I am a family man, I love spending time with my wife and three sons.