A Look Back

By ASIS President Godfried Hendriks, CPP

My fellow members, it has been both an honor and a privilege serving as president of ASIS International in 2020. I understand all too well that you, your colleagues, and your family have been impacted by the global pandemic.

As an ASIS member for almost 30 years, I have never been prouder of my fellow members and this organization than I am this year. As I have virtually attended chapter events on nearly every continent across the globe this year, I have seen first-hand the value of ASIS membership during these trying times.

In 2020, we proved that together we are stronger. And together, as ASIS, we have been a catalytic force in strengthening our global network of security professionals.

Together We Are Growing Our Networks

ASIS’s membership of 34,000 professionals extends to 250 chapters in more than 80 countries. Despite the challenges we’ve faced this year, ASIS continues to expand our global reach—we added three new chapters in 2020: Honduras, Kumasi (Ghana), and Takoradi (Ghana).

Our transition from councils to subject area communities within ASIS Connects continues to bring new members into the conversation. To date, we have grown from 1,944 subscribers (when these communities were only open to council members) to more than 10,000.

In addition to ASIS subject area communities, our chapter network has further engaged its members by launching 33 individual chapter communities and eight regional communities on ASIS Connects—which better connect security professionals around the world.

Together We Are Navigating Industry Trends

When COVID-19 struck, ASIS developed and produced ongoing digital content for our members through our online Disease Outbreak Security Resources page. To help security professionals benchmark and learn from one another, the ASIS Foundation launched a project to track and share case studies illustrating security’s response to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. It identified members across the globe, representing different industries and organizations, and interviewed them—providing takeaways that inform and unite our members.

Together we rallied, connecting security, human resources, law enforcement, emergency response, government, healthcare, psychology, and behavioral science experts to develop the ASIS International Workplace Violence Prevention and Active Assailant—Prevention, Intervention, and Response (WVPI AA) Standard.

Likewise, in partnership with the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC)², and Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), ASIS also developed and published the Security Awareness ANSI Standard—to help security professionals establish, implement, communicate, and gain top management support for a security awareness program. And, through the ASIS Foundation, we began providing in-depth research on topics such as blockchain and its security impacts.

Together We Are Sharing Knowledge and Expertise

In September, ASIS hosted the first virtual Global Security Exchange Plus (GSX+). With more than 4,500 registrants from 82 countries attending more than 130 industry-leading educational sessions (offering 25 CPEs) and 88 innovative exhibitors in the marketplace, this was more than an event. It was an experience.

Our members rely on one another to share their knowledge, expertise, and networks, especially during COVID-19. We have seen record chapter engagement numbers for virtual meetings, education sessions, and networking—including more-frequent leadership training and touchpoints, peer-to-peer sharing of best practices, and the launch of the CSO Center Virtual Series.

On the certification front, 2020 has been a year of extraordinary achievement with respect to new and expanded certification resources—delivered to you at your convenience. From expanded virtual study groups to online review courses and study tools, ASIS delivered the content you need to best prepare for your certification process from the comfort of your own home or office.

Lastly, and perhaps most significantly, ASIS launched a remote proctoring option for its certification exams in August—further removing any barriers to certification around the globe.

This is an impressive list of achievements. And there are more to come under the leadership of my friend and colleague, President-Elect John A. Petruzzi, Jr., CPP, as we continue to navigate this most challenging of times in 2021.

#StrongerTogether

In closing, I thank you for helping ASIS International create a stronger, more connected community—despite our distance. Through your commitment, you ensured no one was left behind this year. The future will bring new challenges, but we know that together we will persevere, side by side, to ensure a safer tomorrow.

It has been an honor serving by your side. Thank you for your support!

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Securing the Diversity of our Profession

There is no shortcut when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I). ASIS International can move forward as a global association only with the participation of its global membership.

In late October, the ASIS Global DE&I Task Force launched the new DE&I Community on ASIS Connects—the home of 35 subject area communities for ASIS members to pool knowledge and share resources surrounding important areas of security practice.

The DE&I Community aims to host conversations that lead to practical ideas and solutions as to how the security profession can proactively and deliberately create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all professionals—whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, or ability.

Launching this new community is just the first step of the DE&I Taskforce’s mission to begin these important conversations on a global scale. Key takeaways from the discussions within the community will form the basis for ongoing DE&I initiatives with the potential to reshape the security profession.

On 10 December, ASIS will join the Security Industry Association (SIA) for an engaging online education program discussing various aspects of DE&I and how security professionals can implement DE&I programs within their own organizations.

ASIS volunteer leaders will further discuss takeaways from the DE&I Community during January’s virtual Leadership Exchange forum.

Your opinion is valued and respected. Let your voice be heard by joining the discussions today at community.asisonline.org/DEI.

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Life Members

ASIS congratulates Joseph Gulinello and Brian Abraham, CPP, on becoming life members.

Joseph Gulinello joined ASIS in 1981 and has been a member for 39 years. He served as a council vice president and senior council vice president. Gulinello received the 2013 ASIS International Presidential Award of Merit from then-President Geoffrey Craighead, CPP.

Brian Abraham, CPP, has been an ASIS member since 1990. He served as the chair and vice chair of the Banking and Financial Services Council, and has been a member of that council for more than 20 years.