BEWARE OF GSX LIST AND HOUSING SCAMMERS – view the official ASIS/GSX vendors

 ASIS International

Simple and Practical Activities In Putting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Into Action

In anticipation of GSX, we sat down with presenters of upcoming sessions in order to get a better understanding of the topics at hand. This week we are featuring, “Simple And Practical Activities In Putting Diversity, Equity And Inclusion Into Action,” presented by Donna Kobzaruk, Chair of the ASIS North American Regional Board of Directors and Executive Director at JP Morgan Chase and Melissa Mack, Director at Pinkerton. Read on for what they had to say and don’t forget to register for GSX 2022! 

Q: How did you become interested in your topic? 

DK: I’ve always been passionate about supporting the under-represented having a voice. Melissa and I were talking and thought we needed to communicate our best practices for simple steps to create a DE&I program. What better forum than GSX!! 

Q: Tell us about your presentation and why should security professionals have this topic on their radar? 

MM: It is important for employees to feel comfortable in bringing their true selves to work every day and this presentation identifies actionable ways to create that environment. Doing so invites the essence of critical thinking into the way we protect assets. Threat actors and methods are not homogeneous so neither should approaches we take in risk management.  

Q: What advice would you give security professionals interested in this topic?  

DK: Attend the session. If you walk out with one recommendation to put into practice, trust that it will change lives.  

Q: How do you see this issue evolving in the next 2-5 years?  

MM: The next 2-5 years are critical in DEI efforts as we continue to see division and polarization threatening societies that influence professional environments. Organizations and leaders recognizing the value of creating inclusive work cultures and prioritizing resources in doing so will be better positioned with talent management, innovative transformations, and corporate social responsibility. 

GSX Exhibitor Spotlight: A Conversation with Mike Beattie of Securitas Technology

In anticipation of GSX, we sat down with one of our exhibitors to have them share their thoughts and insights regarding trends in the security profession. This week we are featuring an interview with Mike Beattie, CIO & SVP IT Securitas Electronic Security, Inc. (now Securitas Technology).

Q: What are the most pressing security concerns you are hearing from your clients in 2022? 

With many businesses resuming an in-office or hybrid work environment, the need for faster technology adoption has come to the forefront. The most pressing security concern Securitas Electronic Security, Inc. (now Securitas Technology) is hearing from clients is the need for integrated security solutions, with the main focus on interoperability. Many security vendors are making the leap from just providing hardware services to providing complete solutions. With these drastic leaps in video capabilities and vendor solutions, it is imperative clients have the ability for a product or system to work seamlessly with other products and systems. Securitas is accelerating the focus on technology and solutions, including AI and smart analytics, to stay at the forefront. 

Q: Are you seeing a demand for integrated solutions going hand in hand with the convergence of departments/functions such as physical security, cybersecurity, life safety, and business continuity?

Absolutely. The convergence of security technology is a unified effort across all departments and functions that might not have typically been involved in the conversation, such as HR, Marketing, etc. With the transition of dial-up technology to IP-based, we are no longer talking about just an IT department or physical security system. It goes back to interoperability and systems coming together to make a complete, holistic security solution.  

At the Securitas Technology Engineering Center of Excellence (CoE), we take multiple security solutions and test first-hand how they work together to improve business continuity. For example, with gunshot detection, we are working on and evaluating a solution involving software, cameras and smart analytics. When the audible gunshot detection occurs, the closest camera will pick up the location to help reduce response time from first responders. Combining physical and life safety functions bolsters the complete solution. 

Q: IT and IT security has been front and center in the news and in boardrooms across the globe as a result of the pandemic with many companies switching to remote work with their employees. How have you seen the role of IT change within your own company since the start of the pandemic?  

The IT department became front and center at management meetings following the COVID-19 pandemic. The main question: How do we help promote physical security and cybersecurity for employees, especially in a remote working environment, while also maintaining business continuity?  

Through its Pandemic Response Task Force, Securitas Technology provided associates with a comprehensive business continuity plan that included antivirus detection and malware documentation, as well as training on how to have a heightened observance for phishing attacks, which have become extremely realistic and sophisticated since the start of the pandemic. We wanted to ensure our associates had the full suite of cyber tools at their fingertips. IT continues to be at the forefront of these discussions.  

Q: What are some of the leading trends in the world of electronic security that security management professionals should be aware of over the next 18-24 months and why? 

The best security management professionals are thinking far into the future, which is key to predicting and staying abreast of trends, market fluctuations and geopolitical events that affect the industry. When this isn’t the case, changes like the final transition to LTE from 3G cause big ramifications. So, looking forward, the next big move will be the final transition from dial-up to IP-based. Beyond industry-wide impacts, it is also critical to think about your own organization’s deployments holistically. How will these changes affect your hardware and equipment? Will you have to roll out new equipment or provide software updates to all equipment? Ensuring you are answering these questions before they occur will help you be prepared. 

We are also seeing an uptick in startups rolling out exciting new technologies. About four or five years ago, we first started to see them break into the security industry. But now they have successful beta customers, multiple installations and continue to expand. We are excited to see these companies at GSX, and to evaluate them through our proven process and our Securitas Product Evaluation Committee. Transitions always happen, so you have to be ready for the next evolution in technology.  

Mental Health & Workplace Safety 

In anticipation of GSX, we sat down with presenters of upcoming sessions in order to get a better understanding of the topics at hand. This week we are featuring, “Mental Health & Workplace Safety,” presented by Jeremy Prout, CPP, APP, the regional security director at International SOS, Kelly Johnstone, the Chief Security Officer at V2 Global, Robert Quigley, a professor of surgery and the senior vice president and global medical director at International SOS, and Steven Bernard, CPP, PSP, APP, a senior security advisor at International SOS. Read on for what they had to say and don’t forget to register for GSX 2022!

Q: How did you become interested in your topic? 

JP: I first became interested in the topic of workplace violence after the 1999 tragedy in Columbine, Colorado. As my career progressed, I gained a greater understanding of the intersection of workplace violence and mental health issues. As security professionals, we have a duty to ensure a safe working environment and also to make sure that individuals who are struggling can get the assistance they need. 

Q: Tell us about your presentation and why should security professionals have this topic on their radar. 

KJ: Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen an increase in mental health awareness, issues and incidents. We are also seeing more aggressive behavior, less tolerance of differing opinions, and more polarization around beliefs, which are all leading to the potential for bad behavior in the workplace. Security professionals need to be keenly aware of these changes and review their current policies and programs around workplace safety to ensure they are able to protect their employees and appropriately assess and mitigate any potential issues. 

Q: What advice would you give security professionals interested in this topic? 

RQ: Security professionals have actually been battling two contagions: COVID-19 and mental health which are not mutually exclusive. The same energy and focus placed on the health and safety of workforces needs to be applied to the management of mental health. Besides the obvious impact mental health is having on absenteeism and presenteeism, there is now growing evidence that workplace violence will be yet another manifestation. Mitigation best practices through awareness, education, and open dialogue will become standard operating procedure in any organization. 

Q: How do you see this issue evolving in the next 2-5 years? 

SB: Work from anywhere, hybrid work schedules, forced return to work, depleting government resources, the great resignation, the insider threat, declining economies and a possible recession will all likely increase the evolving mental health crisis. The burden this will place on employers is a critical one. Let’s have an open discussion and be a part of the solution versus failing to improve the environment. 

Mass Casualty Awareness and Preparedness — Active Assailant Response Planning

In anticipation of GSX, we sat down with presenters of upcoming sessions in order to get a better understanding of the topics at hand. This week we are featuring, “Mass Casualty Awareness and Preparedness — Active Assailant Response Planning,” presented by Dale Buckner, CEO/President at Global Guardian, Dennis O’Toole, Former Anne Arundel SWAT Lieutenant and Federal Law Enforcement Tactics Instructor at NA, and Greg McAleer, Senior Vice President of Business Operations & Risk Management at Global Guardian. Read on for what they had to say and don’t forget to register for GSX 2022!

Q: How did you become interested in your topic?  

DB: An employers’ duty of care obligation is to keep their employees safe and out of harm’s way – and to provide assistance should a crisis, such as an active assailant in the workplace, occur. When employers have effective duty of care programs and emergency response plans in place – and partner with the right provider – it can save lives and ensure business continuity. As the founder and CEO/President of Global Guardian, a leading duty of care provider, our mission is to ensure the safety and security of our clients. One of the things we regularly do is emphasize the importance of crisis preparedness trainings and tabletop exercises to support employees and workforces in an increasingly unpredictable world. 

In the past five years, the threat landscape in the United States and around the globe has steadily expanded, which is having a detrimental impact on business continuity. One of these top threats is violent crime and mass shooting events. When defined as four or more people shot, a total of 693 mass shooting events took place in 2021, 13.4 percent higher than 2020. This year alone, there has been almost 200 mass shootings to date. 

With the rise in crime, and active assailant events, you can’t think it is not going to happen to you. According to the FBI, active assailant attacks typically involve significant planning: 77 percent of attacks took over a week of planning and 24 percent of active shooters (who are 18 and older) have undergone military training. On average, it takes approximately ten minutes for law enforcement to arrive on scene to intervene, but most attacks end in less than five minutes. This means that to survive, individuals must be prepared to react promptly and properly.  

We work with our clients to prepare them for these types of attacks and make sure they are aware of how to respond pre-crisis, during, and post-event. Real-life examples show these types of trainings work; when Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker and others from his congregation were held hostage, he credited the security courses that the congregation had participated in with making sure he knew what to do to get himself and those around him to safety. I cannot emphasize to our clients, and to the security professionals at GSX, the importance of being prepared and knowing how to respond in an active assailant incident.  

Q: Tell us about your presentation and why security professionals should have this topic on their radar.  

DO: In the United States, the number of mass shootings has been climbing steadily over the years, making it imperative for organizations to have proper training, plans, and protocols in place.  

Security professionals need to know how to ensure their workplaces are prepared to respond to an active assailant incident. It is critical that security professionals work with corporate leaders to develop, communicate, and regularly exercise emergency management plans to protect assets, support employees, and minimize loss in the event of an active assailant incident. Such plans also go a long way toward increasing resiliency, ensuring business continuity, and supporting and empowering employees.  

Our presentation will discuss the current threat environment and how this has impacted active assailant incidents. We will provide real-life examples of how to prepare for and react to such an incident through tabletop exercises and scenarios. Participants will leave equipped with the necessary skills to train and prepare their employees to respond to workplace violence or an active assailant incident, including how to identify red flags, assess risks, and look out for and monitor threats that are made either in person or online.  

Q: How do you see this issue evolving in the next 2-5 years? 

GM: Since 2020, mass shootings have increased, with 611 incidents taking place in 2020 and 693 incidents in 2021, including the March 16 shooting in the Atlanta area that left eight people dead and the May 26 shooting at a rail yard in San Jose, California, in which nine people were killed. Already in 2022, there have been almost 200 mass shootings to date. The stress of the pandemic and state of the world these past three years have impacted the population in a multitude of ways; it is imperative that we pay attention to how we emerge from the pandemic as reopening may affect vulnerable populations. We may witness an uptick in mental health and wellness challenges during reintegration into workspaces, which unfortunately can result in violence.  

Mass shootings and active assailant threats affect businesses and individuals, making it critical that the security professionals charged with overseeing corporate and employee safety programs establish emergency response plans and protocols, make them available, and test them. Companies should conduct regular active assailant drills, tabletop exercises and engage local law enforcement. Security professionals and corporate leaders must know their people, have a well-practiced plan, and empower employees to speak up if they see warning signs that could prevent an active assailant incident. Active assailant incidents will continue to be a major threat to all individuals and businesses and security professionals will have to address it, plan for it, and respond. 

Sacred Spaces — Prevention-Based Security Mindset for Faith and Outreach Communities

In anticipation of GSX, we sat down with presenters of upcoming sessions in order to get a better understanding of the topics at hand. This week we are featuring, “Sacred Spaces — Prevention-Based Security Mindset for Faith and Outreach Communities,” presented by Rev. Christopher CarrOwner at Diakon Consulting. Watch his interview with Chuck Harold to learn more about this session and don’t forget to register for GSX 2022!

Research Reveals Best Practices in Ransomware Response & Negotiation

In anticipation of GSX, we sat down with presenters of upcoming sessions in order to get a better understanding of the topics at hand. This week we are featuring, “Research Reveals Best Practices in Ransomware Response & Negotiation,” presented by Jon Clay, Vice President, Threat Intelligence at Trend Micro, Inc. Watch his interview with Chuck Harold to learn more about this session and don’t forget to register for GSX 2022!

Within Your Walls: Adversary Strategies to Infiltrate Your Organization

In anticipation of GSX, we sat down with presenters of upcoming sessions in order to get a better understanding of the topics at hand. This week we are featuring, “Within Your Walls: Adversary Strategies to Infiltrate Your Organization,” presented by Janet Lawless, CEO/Founder at Center for Threat Intelligence. Watch his interview with Chuck Harold to learn more about this session and don’t forget to register for #GSX2022!

Deep Fakes – Evolving Threats to Enterprise Security

In anticipation of GSX, we sat down with presenters of upcoming sessions in order to get a better understanding of the topics at hand. This week we are featuring, “Deep Fakes – Evolving Threats to Enterprise Security,” presented by Peter Warmka, CPP, Founder at Counterintelligence Institute, LLC. Watch his interview with Chuck Harold to learn more about this session and don’t forget to register for #GSX2022!

Large-Scale Evacuations: Tactics, Techniques & Protocols

In anticipation of GSX, we sat down with presenters of upcoming sessions in order to get a better understanding of the topics at hand. This week we are featuring, “Large-Scale Evacuations: Tactics, Techniques & Protocols,” presented by Henning Snyman, Security Director, US South Atlantic at International SOS, Jeremy Prout, CPP, APP, Regional Security Director at International SOS, John Rendeiro, Vice President at International SOS, and Julian Moro, Senior Vice President & Regional Security Director, Americas at International SOS. Read on for what they had to say and don’t forget to register for GSX 2022

Q: How did you become interested in your topic? 

HS: Every escalation that leads to a large-scale evacuation is unique and presents challenges given country, regional, political, and organizational dynamics. Very few escalations happen overnight and without notice and that is why organizations need to prepare for such events. Managing and coordinating large scale evacuation highlighted a lack of planning and preparation within organizations. The role of the Security Professional during an evacuation are not only reactive to manage the crisis but also leading from the front as the subject matter expert.     

Q: Tell us about your presentation and why should security professionals have this topic on their radar? 

JP: Large scale evacuations are incredibly complex and dynamic operations. To successfully accomplish these operations, Security Professionals need to have the planning and logistical infrastructure in place, prior to culmination of the crisis. The Kabul Airlift and Ukraine-Russia Conflict were two of the larger and more complex evacuation operations in the past few years but they will not be the last. The time to prepare for the next crisis is now. 

Q: What advice you would give security professionals interested in this topic? 

JR: -If you have a provider with extensive experience in conducting evacuations, talk to them about their experiences. Read case studies on evacuations of all types.  No two are the same.  They can be driven by individual circumstance, crime, medical emergencies, natural disasters, political unrest, wars and other causes. Many if not most evacuations involving multiple evacuees will have both security and medical components, so be aware that both will have to be addressed in an effective and coordinated fashion. Be sure to explore what governments can, and cannot, do for you in assisting with an evacuation. Understand the roles of the various stakeholders within your organization in advance of emergencies.  Ensure that your stakeholders are organized and become accustomed to working together as a Crisis Management Team. Have an experienced service provider; work with that provider in advance to ensure that both you and they understand expectations and lastly, attend educational sessions on evacuations at events like GSX.  

Q: How do you see this issue evolving in the next 2-5 years? 

JM: The geo-political risk landscape is trending upwards, exacerbated by the impact of climate change amongst other factors, resulting in increased likelihood of more frequent large-scale evacuations. On the back of Afghanistan and Ukraine, there will be an expectation on leaders that their organization is forward leaning, intelligence led and operationally prepared to support their entire workforce and continue business operations when crises manifest. 

Remote Work and the New Unintentional Insider Threat

In anticipation of GSX, we sat down with presenters of upcoming sessions in order to get a better understanding of the topics at hand. This week we are featuring, “Remote Work and the New Unintentional Insider Threat,” presented by David Levine, Vice President, Corporate and Information Security and CSO, CISM Ricoh USA, Inc. at Ricoh USA, Inc. Watch his interview with Chuck Harold to learn more about this session and don’t forget to register for GSX 2022!

Creative and Data-Driven Workplace Violence Prevention Programs: A Comprehensive Model

In anticipation of GSX, we sat down with presenters of upcoming sessions in order to get a better understanding of the topics at hand. This week we are featuring, “Creative and Data-Driven Workplace Violence Prevention Programs: A Comprehensive Model,” presented by Bonnie Michelman, CPP, Executive Director; Police, Security and Outside Services at Mass General Brigham and Lynda Buel, CPP, President & CEO at SRMC, LLC. Read on for what they had to say and don’t forget to register for GSX 2022

Q: How did you become interested in your topic? 

BM: I became interested as I have seen an evolution of healthcare violence increasing, spreading, and employing different modalities for several decades.   Trying to combat this trend and mitigate/reduce violence is contingent on strong data analysis and trending for optimal resource deployment.  The criticality of having a comprehensive workplace violence program capturing multiple components is critical 

Q: Tell us about your presentation and why should security professionals have this topic on their radar? 

LB: This presentation will showcase ways to build a diverse, innovative and comprehensive workplace violence/conflict program with sustained leadership and employee engagement.  We will also share a data driven approach for resource deployment and program optimization that will exemplify violence mitigation and prevention. 

Workplace violence remains a real and increasing threat to America’s workforce and the pandemic has only exasperated it.  Everyone has experienced pandemic fatigue and as employees started to return to the workplace this year, it has only compounded the issue.  Employers have not had to deal with the day to day concern of workplace violence like they did prior to the pandemic and as with anything, when numbers decline, so does the awareness level.  According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), approximately two million workers are victims of workplace violence every year and this number is increasing. 

Organizations need to ensure that they have the appropriate measures in place to address workplace violence.  A Workplace Violence Prevention Program is extremely important.  Early identification and intervention are the key to success.  Too often leaders within organizations think, it will not happen here but incidents across the globe prove otherwise. 

Q: What advice you would give security professionals interested in this topic? 

BM: Research and benchmark what other organizations are doing, what techniques and activities have been beneficial and what has been less so.  Determining your organization’s appetite for risk is important as is showcasing the fiscal, legal, operational, profitability and reputation impact of a creative and robust program managing workplace conflict and violence. 

Q: How do you see this issue evolving in the next 2-5 years?  

LB: Workplace violence is here to stay.  Historically, the FBI began officially tracking incidents of workplace violence in the 1980’s when there were a rash of postal shootings.  Surprisingly given all the media attention to this topic, many organizations continue to flounder when it comes to developing, implementing, and managing a successful workplace violence prevention program.  The good news is that with the increased focus on the importance of maintaining a safe and healthful workplace that is free from serious recognized hazards (OSHA General Duty Clause) and the recent passage of the Workplace Violence Prevention in Health Care and Social Services Act, organizations will increasingly recognize the value and importance of implementing an effective program.  Therefore, I see programs continuing to evolve for the better to meet the needs of the organization and the requirements of the law.