As I reflect on my year as president of ASIS International, I am impressed by the amount of progress achieved through the countless hours of service from the thousands of volunteer leaders across the globe and through the hard work of our dedicated headquarters staff.
In 2018, we began to deliver on our commitment to the membership for transparency, inclusiveness, and globalization, with a keen focus on the member-driven strategic plan. All subsequent decisions were supported by a mobile, global, digital, and agile mindset. In just one year, we’ve made huge strides and implemented some major initiatives.
In late September, we launched Global Security Exchange (GSX)—formerly known as the Annual Seminar and Exhibits—the industry’s flagship event. The related programs delivered a record-breaking educational lineup alongside a reimagined exhibit hall that was transformed into a multifaceted learning environment. GSX attracted 20,000 registrants from 113 countries, and discussions are already underway for continued enhancements when we take the experience to Chicago in 2019.
A renewed emphasis on digital transformation resulted in the delivery of a completely revamped website containing the ASIS Connects private online community, an improved certification portal, and a streamlined member database—all supported by a learning management system with increased capabilities to serve your professional development needs. Never before have the full benefits of ASIS membership been so immediately and widely accessible to security professionals across the globe.
In addition, the ASIS Board of Directors (BOD) heard your call for the creation of a sustainable pipeline of talented professionals into the security profession.
In response, we reduced the membership fee for students from $60 to $20—while creating the added benefit of free admission to GSX. This change will help open the eyes of students to the breadth of career opportunities available throughout the security industry.
These changes represent just the beginning of your Society’s efforts to create sources of talent for the security profession. Your BOD is also working to ensure that the next generation of leaders has the tools and resources to thrive in its chosen field.
Late in 2018, we launched the Associate Protection Professional (APP®) certification, an early career certification aimed at those just getting started in security management roles. We also released a free downloadable career-pathing guide, which helps chart your security career and highlights the core competencies needed to advance to the next level.
From chapters and councils to committees, boards, and the Foundation, the Society is revamping and, when necessary, rebuilding our volunteer leadership structure to ensure that it mirrors the rich diversity of our global membership. This commitment starts at the top, and work is well underway to create a truly international BOD consisting of 12 to 14 directors, in addition to regional managing boards comprised of 6 to 10 seats.
And, of course, there is our BOD-led commitment to enterprise security risk management (ESRM). Through this important effort, ASIS has begun to position the security risk function as an essential contributor to organizational success.
By advancing an ESRM mindset, which includes helping members develop strong business acumen and leadership skills, ASIS will help position security as both a trusted advisor to the C-suite and as a business enabler across the enterprise. In the year ahead, you will see more ESRM content on the website, the emergence of a maturity model tool to benchmark your progress, and the support of an ESRM guideline.
I am proud of all that this Society has accomplished and excited for what is to come under the leadership of President-Elect Christina Duffey, CPP. Christina is an extraordinary individual, and I am excited to support her, the volunteer leadership, and our membership, as we take our organization to even greater heights in 2019.
