The countdown is on for Global Security Exchange (GSX) 2026. From 14 -16 September, the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta will host the annual flagship event of ASIS International and the most comprehensive gathering of security professionals anywhere in the world. With attendees from 100 nations, GSX is less a conference than a full recalibration of how the industry thinks, operates, and prepares for what comes next. This year, attendees can look forward to more than 200 education sessions, organized across tracks that reflect the full spectrum of modern security challenges.
For a sneak peek at what's in store, we caught up with Leonardo Ogihara, MS, CTM, CPP, PCI, PSP, Regional Protective Services Employee Assistance Officer at Accenture, to learn more about their upcoming session: Turning Risk Into Resilience: Building, Scaling, and Maturing a Living Behavioral Threat Assessment Program.
How did you become interested in your topic?
My interest in Corporate Protective Services, Employee Assistance, and Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) stems from a belief that the workplace can be one of the strongest protective factors in a person's life during times of crisis, and that many behavioral threats can be prevented through a culture of care built on early identification, support, and intervention.
Throughout my career, I've seen the positive impact organizations can have when Security, HR, Legal, Facilities, and other stakeholders work together as a multidisciplinary team to support employees and, when circumstances warrant, assess and manage behavioral threats. That intersection of security, prevention, collaboration, and care is what inspired me to specialize in this field.
Tell us about your presentation and why should security professionals have this topic on their radar?
My presentation explores how the workplace can be one of the strongest protective factors in a person's life during times of crisis and how organizations can help prevent behavioral threats through early identification, support, and intervention.
As behavioral concerns become increasingly complex, security professionals have an opportunity to help foster a culture of care where leadership commitment, multidisciplinary collaboration, and early intervention strengthen both employee well-being and organizational safety. Attendees will leave with practical lessons they can apply to build or mature their Corporate Protective Services, Employee Assistance, and BTAM capabilities.
What advice would you give security professionals interested in this topic?
Recognize that effective Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management is much more than a security function. It requires leadership commitment, a culture of care, strong Employee Assistance capabilities, multidisciplinary collaboration, and clear governance.
Invest in building those foundations before a crisis occurs. When Security, HR, Legal, Facilities, and leadership share a common prevention-focused approach, organizations are better equipped to identify concerning behavior early, support employees, and effectively assess and manage behavioral threats when circumstances warrant.
How do you see this issue evolving in the next 2–5 years?
I believe organizations will continue shifting from a reactive approach to a prevention-focused model. We'll see greater investment in Employee Assistance, Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management, governance, and multidisciplinary teams supported by leadership and a strong culture of care.
I also expect organizations to adopt a more integrated approach to managing internal and external behavioral risks. BTAM will increasingly become a core component of organizational resilience, helping organizations identify, assess, and manage concerning behavior while protecting people, operations, and business continuity.
Why do you attend GSX?
GSX brings together security professionals from around the world who are passionate about protecting people and organizations. It's a unique opportunity to learn from peers, exchange practical experiences, and explore emerging ideas that strengthen our profession.
I also value the opportunity to connect with and learn from peers across the security community. Every organization has different experiences and perspectives, and GSX is a great opportunity to exchange ideas, share lessons learned, and continue learning from one another.
To learn more about GSX and to register, visit here.
