ASIS News June 2016
CSO Roundtable Now CSO Center for Leadership & Development
Almost 12 years after it was introduced as an advisory body on public policy, and eight years after it became a standalone membership organization within ASIS International, the CSO Roundtable is rebranding.
To emphasize the organization’s new vision and mission—and to better reflect the continuing objective of developing deputies into leading security executives and developing CSOs into business leaders—the organization’s new name will be the CSO Center for Leadership & Development.
“Our new identity reflects our commitment to thought leadership, to developing the next generation of CSOs, and to our evolving suite of benefits,” says 2016 CSO Center President Mike Maloof, CPP. “We’ve changed dramatically,” Maloof notes. “The new vision, mission, and name are an explicit acknowledgement of our shift in direction and focus.”
The CSO Center’s new mission is “a safe and secure global community.” According to the reimagined mission statement, the center will “provide executive development, thought leadership, and resources for current and future security leaders.”
The CSO Center offers content in six areas: executive development, direct report advancement, educational programs, CSO Nexus, collaborations and alliances, and research. CSO Nexus is a program wherein industry experts serve as confidential peer advisors, which goes a step beyond the benchmarking services that the CSO Roundtable has long offered.
Each of the six subject areas offers multiple benefits. Benefits relating to direct report advancement, for instance, include ASIS certificate courses, involvement in creating ASIS standards, and mentoring programs. “Expanding educational opportunities is a key thrust of the CSO Center going forward,” says Maloof, who also serves as the vice president of global physical security for Oracle.
Another, related priority is partnerships and collaborations. They involve educational institutions such as the Wharton School and the IE Business School, which will help members develop business, management, and leadership skills. The CSO Center has also been working closely with complementary organizations such as the Overseas Security Advisory Council, the Domestic Security Alliance Council, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and (ISC)2. “And we’ll continue work across ASIS International to ensure that the voice of senior security executives is heard in strategic planning, research, and government affairs,” says Peter Piazza, a former ASIS vice president who has been responsible for the CSO Roundtable for the past three years.
The rebranding arose from a strategic retreat held by the CSO Advisory Council in late 2015, Maloof explains, during which every aspect of the organization was put under review. “We agreed that our mission and vision did not fully articulate who we are and what we work to achieve,” adds Piazza. The new name was adopted, in part, to clarify that it is not only for CSOs, and that it is not a single event or group of events, but a full-fledged membership organization.
Membership requirements for the CSO Center will remain largely the same, though Maloof says there will be some adjustments. The organization remains open to senior-level security executives and their deputies at Fortune 1000-size companies and business units, as well as those who work at large government agencies, nonprofit organizations, elements of critical infrastructure, or organizations and facilities that are deemed significant and notable. The Roundtable currently has about 350 members from more than 30 countries, representing every habitable continent.
The CSO Center will continue to hold multiple live and virtual programs. Highlights include the Annual Summit (2016’s version will be held in California at the Skywalker Ranch, May 22 to 24), CSO-only tracks at ASIS’s global conferences including the ASIS Annual Seminar and Exhibits, half-day CSO Conversations that focus on specific subjects such as industrial espionage, and webinars on emergent topics such as using social media to identify terrorism threats.
For more information on the rebranding or to inquire about membership in the CSO Center for Leadership & Development, contact Manuela Turner at [email protected] or 703/518-1509.
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Michael Gips is chief global knowledge and learning officer at ASIS. He was the vice president responsible for the CSO Roundtable from April 2007 to April 2013.
ASIS Middle East Conference a Striking Success
Under the patronage of His Excellency Lt. Gen. Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, deputy chairman of police and general security, the ASIS International 7th Middle East Security Conference & Exhibition was held February 21 to 23, 2016, at the Intercontinental Dubai Festival City, Dubai, UAE. More than 500 attendees from 36 countries gathered to take part in the educational programs, opportunities for sharing ideas, and a chance to view the latest products and services from the select group of exhibitors.
The event was opened by His Excellency Major General Mohammed Saif Al Zafeen, assistant commander for operation affairs, and His Excellency Major General Anas Al Matrooshi, director of operations for transport and rescue, both of the Dubai Police. The first morning keynote presentation was delivered by Bader F. Al-Qadran, executive director of safety and industrial security at Saudi Aramco, who spoke on the evolution and dynamic development of the security profession in the region.
The next day featured an opening keynote from His Excellency Major General Mansour S. Al-Turki, spokesperson at the Ministry of Interior, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Al-Turki gave the audience unique insight into how the Hajj crowds are managed, explaining the stages of the pilgrimage and the intensive planning required to handle the hundreds of thousands participating.
His Excellency Dr. Khalid bin Saad Al-Ageel, general secretary of the Higher Commission for Industrial Security (HCIS) in the Ministry of Interior, KSA, provided the closing keynote, explaining the role of the HCIS in guiding the security industry and the crucial role of continuous education and training.
Two full conference days, presided over by conference chair John Cowling of Control Risks, gave attendees access to more than 40 educational sessions featuring speakers from Al-Tayer Group, Emaar Retail Group, Abbott Laboratories, Deloitte, and many more. In parallel, a CSO Roundtable Summit was held.
Besides attendees based in the Middle East region, the event attracted professionals from much further afield. Todd Smithson, CSO, Thales Australia, stated, “The ASIS Middle East Conference is an outstanding opportunity to meet and liaise with security professionals in the region as well as gain essential knowledge on relevant topics affecting the international security environment.”
Twenty-four companies from around the globe showcased their products and services at their exhibition stands. Attendees also visited the Technology and Solutions Theatre, which provided engaging presentations and experiences.
Networking events were organized throughout the conference. Attendees enjoyed a welcome reception on Sunday, followed by the President’s Reception on Monday evening, hosted by ASIS International President David C. Davis, CPP, at Al Badia Golf Club.
