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, “Deadly Category 1-to-5 Hurricane in 24 Hours: Rescuing 85 Employees at Conference from Direct Hit,” presented by Mario Franco, Security Director, Mexico and Central America at Schneider Electric. Read on for what he had to say and don’t forget to register for GSX 2025!
Q: How did you become interested in your topic?
A: During my security training, I received extensive education in business continuity and emergency response. However, this particular event discussed in my presentation truly put all that knowledge to the test. It was an unprecedented and unexpected situation due to the rapid escalation of a natural phenomenon. While we have tools to monitor these events, we know they can’t be predicted with 100% accuracy. Climate change has made such phenomena increasingly unpredictable, highlighting the importance of being prepared for the unexpected.
Q: Tell us about your presentation and why security professionals should have this topic on their radar.
A: Security professionals often focus on risks within our own facilities—within our “four walls.” However, when our personnel attend external events, we must consider additional factors: coordination with event staff, emergency and crisis plans, local emergency departments, and disaster scenarios. In this case, no specific plan was in place for such an event, which shows the need to broaden our perspective and ensure preparedness beyond our immediate environment.
Q: What advice would you give security professionals interested in this topic?
It’s essential to build a culture where every department in the company understands the importance of security and feels empowered to consult with security teams. This allows for informed decision-making and tailored safety and security recommendations. Evaluating emergency response plans, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring clear protocols for off-site events are all critical steps.
Q: How do you see this issue evolving in the next 2–5 years?
A: With the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters due to climate change, we can expect these events to become more common and severe. Current statistics on hurricanes and other natural phenomena already show a concerning trend. Security strategies will need to evolve accordingly, incorporating new monitoring technologies and more agile, collaborative response plans.
Q: Why do you attend GSX?
A: As a security professional, my interest in attending GSX is that it’s renowned for its cutting-edge, cross-functional networking opportunities, which foster collaboration and innovation among security professionals from diverse backgrounds and industries. Additionally, I attend GSX to share my presentation with a broader audience, with the goal of always safeguarding our employees first, assets and sensitive information.
By spreading knowledge and lessons learned, we can strengthen the preparedness and response capabilities of other professionals facing critical situations.