​An Experience Like No Other

In the first year of its rebrand following a 63-year history as the ASIS Annual Seminar and Exhibits, Global Security Exchange (GSX), the security industry's flagship event, is set to open its doors later this month. Thousands of security professionals, allied partners and organizations, exhibitors, media, and thought leaders will gather at the Las Vegas Convention Center September 23–27 for an event unlike any other in the industry.

All aspects of the event have been revamped and revitalized, and GSX is already exceeding records from previous events. GSX education features a record 300+ sessions. The allied partners program unites nearly three dozen organizations to advance security best practices. Record numbers of media representatives have already registered. And, the expo hall—home to thousands of security products, technologies, and service solutions—will be transformed into a learning lab environment.

"We have completely re-engineered GSX to provide more opportunities for security practitioners, solution providers, students, military, and first responders to learn and engage with each other and our partner community," says Richard E. Chase, CPP, PCI, PSP, 2018 president of ASIS International. "From Career HQ and the International Trade Center to our three theaters of education and live demos, attendees will find tremendous value in our immersive, engaging, and informative expo hall."

Monday, September 24 will feature a full day of education. The expo, which takes place September 25–27, will include: 

• Three X Learning Theaters 
  • X Stage—features programming focused on leading-edge technologies including blockchain and cryptocurrencies, AI, drones and robotics, social media, and the digital self;
  • Xcelerated Exchange Stage—provides a forum for discussions between practitioners and solution providers to address the current and future security landscape; and
  • Xperience Stage—showcases case studies and other tried-and-true best practices that address challenges facing practitioners across all sectors including active shooter scenarios, bullying in the healthcare industry, and risks associated with hosting a public event at cultural institutions. 
• Career HQ, with new career fair and enhanced career center learning.
  • Attendees looking to strengthen their professional profiles will have access to résumé reviews, a headshot studio, career coaching, professional development sessions, and networking opportunities with employers and peers. The new career fair, taking place September 26–27, will have top organizations looking to hire talent, such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Apple.
• GSX D3 Xperience (Drones, Droids, Defense)
  • Supported by Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, GSX D3 Xperience will deliver an immersive learning experience focused on the impact of unmanned systems on the security industry. Education and demos will showcase the emerging technology around the use of drones, droids, and counter-UAV defense systems. 
• Innovative Product Awards Showcase
  • The 2018 Innovative Product Awards highlight the new products and services on the GSX show floor that are poised to disrupt the security marketplace. Look for more details on these products and services in the show guide and mobile app. 

In addition to these features, the exhibit floor will house an International Trade Center and the ASIS Hub, which includes access to ASIS council representatives, live streaming interviews, and fireside chats.

"There is no other event that compares to what GSX is offering this year in terms of education, networking, and marketplace, and we're just getting started," notes Chase. "We will continue to evolve and grow GSX in the years ahead as a part of our new brand promise to unite the full spectrum of security professionals to create the only global 'must attend' security event."

There is still time to secure a free expo-only pass. Visit gsx.org/registration to view registration options. Can't make it to Las Vegas? Global Access Live offers access to a full track of education and keynote remarks. In addition, keep up with livestream interviews from the expo hall and read show headlines at GSX.org or by following #GSX18 on social. 

ESRM in Action

In 2016, ASIS made enterprise security risk management (ESRM) an organizational priority and has begun infusing this management philosophy into all the Society's programs and services. In the months ahead, we will provide updates, as well as showcase how members are implementing ESRM in their organizations. 

By Tim Wenzel, CPP

I entered the security industry as a paramedic transitioning into protective security services. In the medical field, treatment plans are constructed to treat the patient's current condition while predicting the expected outcomes and complications. As you initiate treatment, you also prepare for the outcomes while documenting any variances from the plan. Progress is made by studying these variances to understand why they happen.

As I got started in the security profession, I couldn't understand a few things. 

1. Everything was done to handle the here and now. Contingencies were always planned for, but not outcomes. Outcomes were expected to be good, and when they weren't, they were bad. There were no degrees of success or concrete reasoning for failure. 
2. Security operations were based on "the way security is done." There is a way. When you do not do it that way, the protection of assets could not be guaranteed.
3. Success, failure, and change orders always came from "the client." We weren't allowed to speak with "the client," but they were not happy and wanted things done in a certain manner. 

As I began to design my security plans, I was often told, "You're doing it wrong. We don't work this way." As I asked questions, I became unpopular with many in leadership.

I concluded that there are three main problems with the security industry: lack of vision, lack of understanding, and lack of meaningful feedback. Together, these lead to inconsistency and frustration. When frustration is the theme of each day, policy is written by knee-jerk reactions.

Then, in 2013, I was hired as a management-level consultant. My boss told me that we were not going to make these mistakes with this client. We would build a strategic program that was tailored to the needs of this company by establishing open dialogue with the business. On top of that, we would create metrics that made sense to the company.

Several months later I acquired a mentor who began to put a name and definition to the things I had been trying to accomplish: enterprise security risk management, or ESRM.

I've been practicing ESRM principles in the programs I've built over the last five years. While I don't lead a global security organization, I recognize how to design real business value into the security programs I create. Programs must address business pain and deliver clarity back to the business leaders. The business should better understand its risk portfolio based on your work.

So how can you start your ESRM journey?

Ask these questions: Why are we doing these things? How can we do them better? Who are the business leaders that I am providing this service for? Talk to them about their experiences with your programs. Discuss opportunities to make that experience better. Implement. Repeat.

Tim Wenzel, CPP, is program manager, special projects at Facebook.​

CSO Breakfast Tour

By Michael Gips, CPP

How does a company deal with an active assailant when the open office offers no place to hide? What challenges do cryptocurrencies pose for financial firms? What can be done to protect the supply chain? And how can NGOs and other organizations battle corruption in developing countries?

These are just a few of the many concerns and challenges that have surfaced in breakfast sessions held in cities around the world by the CSO Center for Leadership and Development for members and eligible prospects. Beginning in April in London, these get-togethers have encouraged security executives to surface and discuss security and business trends and developments and what "keeps them up at night" in a friendly atmosphere. The events have also served as a listening tour for staff to learn how the CSO Center can better support its constituents and add value to the membership. Attendees also learn about new initiatives at headquarters, including the development of a certification for employees new to security, a curriculum for career pathing, an emerging new membership model, and refreshed CPP study materials.

Since the original breakfast at The Wolseley in downtown London, other events have been held in Atlanta, Seattle, San Francisco, Madrid, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis—the latter in the form of a breakout session at the CSO Summit at Target Plaza Commons. Participation so far has been capped at about a dozen participants to keep everyone involved and active.

Forthcoming events are being scheduled for Philadelphia, Silicon Valley, and elsewhere. The CSO Center is looking at partnering with a sponsor to host other CSO events—breakfasts, lunches, receptions, and so on—that bring in thought leaders as speakers, then evolve into organic conversations about security matters.

Breakfasts so far have yielded vibrant discussions on all manner of security, business, leadership, and management issues. They have also given members and prospects the opportunity to request resources from the CSO Center, including refreshed policies and procedures, summaries of benchmarking surveys, data and presentations that can be used to present to the C-suite, and continued executive development training and resources.

CSO Center members who would like to bring an event to their area may contact Manuela Turner at [email protected].

Michael Gips, CPP, CSyP (Chartered Security Professional), is chief global knowledge and learning officer at ASIS International.​

School Safety and Security Council Spotlight

ASIS School Safety and Security Council Chair Mark Berger was a middle school student when the Ma'alot massacre in Israel resulted in the loss of 25 lives at the Netiv Meir Elementary School. "I remember sitting in class, thinking about what I would do if someone came through the door to my classroom with a machine gun, and how I would try to escape or ensure my personal safety," he says. "I hadn't thought about it for quite some time, but hearing stories of students in Parkland and other recent events reminded me of the effect an event like this has on students and their ability to learn."

Creating safe and secure learning environments where students, faculty, and staff can excel is at the heart of all the ASIS School Safety and Security Council does. Comprised of experts with deep public and private-sector school security experience, the council delivers education, develops industry best practices, and provides a community of expertise that ASIS members can draw on year-round. Whether school security is your primary job responsibility, you're providing consulting services to a local school, or you oversee a major metropolitan campus, the council is here to provide the insights, education, and professional network needed to achieve your goals.

This summer, the council launched a webinar series led by Council Vice Chair Jason Destein that provided strategies around preventing the next school shooting, soft-target protection, and security for after-school/out-of-school time. The recordings are available online and accessible at any time. In addition, council white papers cover topics from active shooters to bullying to school bus safety.

Council members have a full agenda at this month's Global Security Exchange (GSX) in Las Vegas. On Friday, September 21, council member Rick Shaw will deliver remarks at the 2018 School Funding Competition ceremony at Miley Achievement Center in East Las Vegas. A video with event highlights will be available online.

In addition, the council will sponsor four education sessions at GSX, including "Creating a Realistic Active Shooter Response Training Program," "School Emergency Preparedness Using a Tabletop Exercise," "Countering Violent Extremism: Why and How Do People Radicalize," and "All-Hazards Risk Tabletop Exercise Development." And finally, as part of Security Cares, the ASIS free community safety and security program at GSX, several council members will participate in a school security panel session on Tuesday, September 25, that will be livestreamed from the expo hall. Topics to be discussed include prevention, active assailant, event response, and more.

GSX attendees are encouraged to stop by the ASIS Hub on the show floor to connect with council representatives and learn more about current and upcoming activities and how to get involved.

Berger invites all practitioners with an interest in school security to join. "Our council is a sounding board for various ideas and perspectives," he says. "We're happy to welcome all worker bees who are dedicated to helping us share best practices, react to the latest developments, and create safe and secure learning environments."

To learn more about the council, search "School safety and security" on asisonline.org and ASIS Connects.​

ASIS LIFE MEMBER

ASIS congratulates Stephen L. Huss, CPP, and Paul Stewart Barker, CPP, on becoming Life Members.

Huss is an active member of the San Fernando Valley Chapter, where he served for many years as the chapter certification representative, chapter law enforcement liaison, and chapter secretary. He has been a dedicated member of ASIS for 30 years.

Barker was honored for his many contributions to the United Kingdom Chapter, and he was instrumental in bringing ASIS to the United Kingdom and forming the UK Chapter in 1993. He also helped bring ASIS certification to the country, and he mentored more than 100 CPP candidates. He has served as the chapter's certification representative and is a member of the advisory council that supports the chapter's senior leadership. Barker was awarded the Mervyn David prize in 2003 in recognition of outstanding contributions to the UK Chapter.