ASIS News: 2022 in Review

The ASIS Global Board of Directors, our European and North American boards, volunteers, and headquarters staff have been hard at work in advancing the profession and supporting the needs of our global membership during the past year. Amid a very busy year of developments and growth, here are some of the highlights.

ASIS continued creating powerful and compelling global and regional events of the highest caliber in North America (Global Security Exchange), Europe (ASIS Europe), Latin America (ASIS LATAM), Africa (Africa Security Conference), Asia (ASIS APAC Conference), and in the Middle East (ASIS Middle East).

With the 2022 CSO Center Leadership Series and regular CSO Huddles, ASIS continues to enhance opportunities for CSOs to share key insights, trends, and best practices with one another.

ASIS prioritized the development of more accessible certificate programs for the profession. This included new certificate courses on enterprise security risk management (ESRM), retail asset protection, and executive protection.

The association provided robust year-round educational programming with more than 50 webinar releases in 2022. This material focused on the most pressing issues security professionals face, such as access control trends, active shooter preparedness, and use of video analytics.

ASIS developed new standards and guidelines for the profession—including the Senior Security Executive Standard and the Preemployment Background Screening and Vetting Guideline—which serve to assist organizations worldwide.

The multi-volume Protection of Assets (POA) manual was revamped, reflecting our changing times and keeping security professionals on the leading edge of best practices in the field.

ASIS sustained the highest standard of excellence for our professional certifications—the CPP^®, PCI^®, PSP^®, and APP—with more than 11,000 certificate-holders globally.

We witnessed greater global engagement within our 36 subject area communities by thousands of ASIS members, who can ask questions, build their networks, and share expertise through ASIS Connects. The communities continue to reinvent themselves and add value for members. In September 2022, the Young Professionals Community rebranded itself ASIS NextGen to better represent the professionalism and abilities of emerging security professionals. The Defense and Intelligence Community was renamed the Operational Intelligence Community, which will focus on developing and sharing intelligence best practices, including open-source techniques and analytic tactics. A new Mental Health and Wellness Working Group was established to foster an open dialogue about supporting security professionals’ wellness.

ASIS launched a new security leaders mentoring program in partnership with the Professional Development Community. This program features an online, searchable directory of mentors and a mentoring support community.

We delivered best-in-industry news coverage from our award-winning Security Management team, offering valuable insights on the latest news and trends, as well as astute commentary on what matters most for the security profession through its publications, podcast, and newsletters. Dozens of ASIS members contributed articles throughout 2022, sharing guidance, best practices, and recommendations with the profession.

The ASIS Foundation supported more than 100 members across the globe this year in their pursuit of certification. The foundation continues to play an invaluable role for global security professionals through its scholarships and grants programs and research.

“This progress did not happen in a vacuum,” says Peter J. O’Neil, CEO of ASIS International. “ASIS produces best-in-class tools, events, and resources because of our members, volunteers, and staff, who work tirelessly throughout the year to advance the security profession. Stewardship of this organization requires a long path lens, not just looking several months into the future. We are in this for the long run and believe this mindset will serve this organization well in the decades ahead. We are, indeed, stronger together.”

GSX 2022 By the Numbers

Global Security Exchange (GSX) 2022 concluded in Atlanta, Georgia, on 14 September 2022, but its benefits continue to echo throughout the security industry.

Attendance exceeded projections, with more than 13,000 registrants hailing from 85 countries, along with more than 400 exhibitors demonstrating the latest security solutions. GSX educational programming delivered 173 insightful sessions covering the most pressing security issues, best practices, and trends during this three-day event.

“Once again, GSX has proven itself to be a catalytic force for education, networking, and sharing the latest trends and innovations happening within the security profession,” says 2022 ASIS President Malcolm C. Smith, CPP. “The response to GSX 2022 has been overwhelming from both attendees and exhibitors. I’m incredibly thankful to our show’s organizers, sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees for their commitment to the security profession to making GSX the industry’s premier event. Year after year, GSX is home to best-in-class educational programming, and I am proud of the diverse and expansive conversations that occurred at this year’s event.”

For more insights and coverage from GSX 2022, check out gsx.org or read the GSX Daily, presented by Security Management.

Don’t forget to mark your calendar: GSX 2023 will be held in Dallas, Texas, 11-13 September 2023.

Orange County Convention Center Security Division SOARs

The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) was recently recognized by the ASIS Greater Orlando Chapter at the 2022 Security Officer Awards and Recognition (SOAR) ceremony. The SOAR Awards cover a range of accomplishments, including community service, heroic actions, and outstanding service in the security field.

“While ensuring guest and employee safety is the gold standard for the OCCC’s security team, members regularly go above and beyond the call of duty to provide a safe and friendly environment for all,” wrote Emily Eades, public relations and information officer for the OCCC, for the 2022 GSX Daily.

OCCC security team members leapt into action earlier in 2022 when a contractor at the center had a medical emergency. They used a defibrillator, diverted crowds, and performed CPR to help keep the patient alive until emergency medical responders could arrive.

“The OCCC’s award-winning security division is committed to providing unparalleled service and safety throughout its campus,” the OCCC posted on LinkedIn. “With their highly skilled and experienced team, the health and welfare of guests is always a top priority.”