Let’s have a warm welcome to David Cameron, the new Prime Minister. After Gordon Brown stood down as PM the other day, we knew it was only a matter of time before a new and historic coalition government was formed, comprising members of the victorious Conservative party and the Liberal Democrats.

While leader of the Tory party David Cameron slips on the post of Prime Minister like a diamond-studded glove, leader of the Lib Dems Nick Clegg will stand as Deputy Prime Minister – not bad for the party that came last. Let’s hope they remember the security services as they’re changing the country!

Middlesbrough Police are joining forces with Foundation Degree Graphic Design students from Cleveland College of Art and Design to help prevent crime in ways more creative than CCTV or posters.

The art students have provided the police with new and innovative ways to reach people about crimes such as theft, car crime and drink spiking. Apparently, the students took only a single week to produce the art work for the new campaign. Let us hope that they get the message across!

The European Union’s new criminal justice plan is apparently to mainly centre on data security and digital information. The overhaul of existing systems is being called the Stockholm Programme and should be implemented between now and 2014.

As well as overhauling and tweaking the existing security systems, the Stockholm Programme will be looking into identity theft online and data security and data retention in all its forms. Let’s see what they come up with.

Facebook is once again about to be launched into a debate about safety. After refusing to put a panic button on the popular social networking site, it seems most mule headed to head straight back into the frying pan.

Called the Open Graph platform, Facebook users can be guided around the internet via their interests and connections instead of a search engine. Clicking a button next to an internet item will share it on Facebook profiles, all without leaving other websites. Yes, this may negate the need for search engines but what about data security and privacy? Who really wants all the sites they visit plastered on the internet for all to see? No teenage boys for sure!

A new data security issue and privacy issue has been unearthed after researchers have found structural cracks in GSM – the Global System for Mobile Communications.

Previous cracks found in the GSM compromised IT security and allowed US-based mobile numbers to be revealed but a new threat due to structural cracks in GSM apparently tracks any GSM-based mobile across the globe. So no matter where you go, if you have a mobile you can be traced. Scary thought.

Across the internet, viruses and malware are becoming an epidemic rather than a nuisance. Yet as our reliance on the internet continues to grow, IT security can’t keep up with the threats and data safety is becoming a huge issue even as cyber criminals become more sophisticated.

Internet security company VirnetX believes it has the answer though. With its patented technology GABRIEL, (still in beta testing) internet connections can be secured through the use of Secure Domain Names amongst other things. With the move to 4G /LTE internet moving closer, online security is now more important than ever.

From 2002, Cardiff hospitals have anonymously shared information with the police regarding knife attack victims admitted to hospital A&E departments and whatever information could be gleaned from them. This became known as the Cardiff model and greatly decreased knife crime by a massive 40%. The local authorities of the UK and the police force urged other hospitals to do the same. Now, new information shows that a very, very disappointing seven out of ten hospitals in England are failing to do this. Which, once you consider the fact that hospital staff are at great risk of violence, absolutely beggars belief. Shouldn’t the hospitals want a reduction in knife crime?! Get your act together.

The company behind SelectaDNA, Rhine Group, has won a huge contract with in the Netherlands, with Dutch rail company ProRail BV. ProRail BV is hoping that SelectaDNA can help stop the growing problem of metal theft.

The Netherlands is currently in the midst of a serious problem with trackside metal theft as prices of copper and other metals have shot through the roof. This can cause massive expense, disruptions and also safety issues. In order to combat this, SelectaDNA will be used to mark the metal and reduce thefts.

BlackBerry has just introduced the SafeReader service for all BlackBerry handsets. SafeReader is a hands-free way of accessing your emails and text messages from your BlackBerry mobile with no messing around. Rather than scrolling through the options BlackBerry users can just use a voice command to access messages – and also to reply to messages. The speech-to-text service allows users to communicate on the go – which, if you’re driving can be extremely useful, not to mention safer for your employees!

Biometrics is slowly but steadily advancing as the most unbeatable security systems around. One such system, new to the market, is the 4G FingerVein Station by L-1 Identity Solutions. Built on the biometric L-1 4G platform, the FingerVein Station uses unique finger vein technology to control and monitor access. The system has a scalable platform, reduces maintenance costs, increases efficiency and what’s more, it provides an unbeatable security system. For large organisations where only the best system will do, the FingerVein Station is a definite winner.