

Primary Topics
Focus on De-Escalation and Crisis Intervention
Learn how to improve your crisis intervention and de-escalation skills by harnessing your own emotional responses during incidents.
Focus on CPTED
CPTED takes nature and combines it with nurture, helping create areas that discourage criminal activity and welcome stakeholders.
Focus on White Collar Crime and Occupational Fraud
Nearly half of all internal fraud investigations are initiated by a report to a tipline. Then, the tough work of investigators begins to determine what happened.

ASIS News: New Leadership and Partnerships
In addition to the two regional conferences this month, ASIS announced new regional leadership for both the Asia Pacific and Latin American and Caribbean regions.

Q&A: Takeaways from a 26-Year Career as a Private Investigator
To better understand the world private investigators operate in, we spoke with the head of an investigations firm about building investigators’ skill sets, protecting sources, and following leads.

What is the State of Occupational Fraud?
A biannual report from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners finds that occupational fraudsters caused reported total losses of at least $3.1 billion between January 2022 and September 2023.

Fraud 101: The Elements of an Effective Hotline Program
There is no way to eliminate fraud entirely. But creating effective whistleblower reporting mechanisms is a tried-and-true method to detect and mitigate the scale of fraud.

From Tiplines to Terminations: How to Handle an Internal Fraud Investigation
Nearly half of all internal fraud investigations are initiated by a report to a tipline. Then, the tough work of investigators begins to determine what happened.

Fast Facts: What is Occupational Fraud?
A key area of fraud that security practitioners are often involved in investigating is occupational fraud. But what exactly is occupational fraud? How does it differ from other types of fraud?

6 Roles to Consider for Your Fraud Investigation Team
Fraud encompasses a wide range of activities. These six skill sets can help investigation teams understand what happened, why it happened, and how to prevent it in the future.

Human or AI? Detecting Loan Fraud After Fed Cuts
AI is making it more difficult to separate real people from fake ones. This poses significant risk for financial institutions when fraudsters apply for credit or loans that are subsequently funded.

Legal Report: A Michigan Agency Agrees to $13 Million Settlement Concerning Surprise Active Shooter Drill
After a state-run children’s hospital set off a surprise active shooter drill, staff and patients filed a class action suit against the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Industry News: Italian Convention Center Depends on Dallmeier Video Surveillance
The Veronafiere, a leading Italian exhibition center, relies on Dallmeier’s video security system and cameras to monitor convention and events across its space.

In Bloom: How Greenery and Landscaping Work with CPTED
CPTED takes nature and combines it with nurture, helping create areas that discourage criminal activity and welcome stakeholders.

The Impact of Global Conflicts on Local Crime Prevention Measures
Societal responses to global conflicts can disproportionately affect local crime and civil unrest. CPTED principles can help reinforce the lines between public and private spaces.

How to Leverage CPTED Activity Generators on College Campuses
College campuses are busy places. Security teams can thoughtfully apply CPTED practices to foster activities that promote safety and community buy-in.

New Legislation Adds Security and CPTED Requirements for Florida Property Owners
Florida property owners have until the beginning of 2025 to comply with CPTED requirements.

Hostile Vegetation: 8 Plants to Use in Your CPTED-Friendly Flower Bed
A rose by any other name can still deter opportunistic criminals with its thorns.

Fast Facts: A Landscape Designer’s Checklist for CPTED Success
If you’re working with a landscape architect or designer, keep these items in mind when incorporating CPTED elements.

Certification Profile: Gideon O. Soyemi, CPP, PCI
Gideon O. Soyemi, CPP, PCI, says taking advantage of all the educational resources available has kept him on top of industry changes and best practices, allowing him to continue to develop professionally.

Book Review: Target Tehran
In this fascinating read, the authors detail how Mossad, Israel’s national intelligence agency, has made it a priority to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power.

How Dysregulation Affects De-Escalation
If crisis responders are under chronic stress, their response to the incident could make matters significantly worse.

6 Behaviors That Indicate Heightened Agitation and Risk of Violence
The Brøset Violence Checklist helps healthcare professionals assess patients’ short-term potential to commit violence.

Editor’s Note: Correct Course with Metacognition
Considering how you react and think during stressful situations can help you better de-escalate situations.

Fast Facts: Body Language That Undermines De-Escalation
If the message a person’s body language sends clashes with their verbal statements, it creates a sense of distrust, suspicion, and unwillingness to cooperate.
Security News
Starbucks, Grocers Revert to Manual Processes After Ransomware Attack on Third-Party Software System
Blue Yonder, an Arizona-based cloud services provider, was hit by a ransomware attack last week that disrupted a number of its managed services. Now, the ramifications are being felt by the company’s customers.
Former Macy’s Employee Allegedly Hid Up to $154 Million in Expenses
On Monday, 25 November, Macy’s Inc, took the extraordinary step of delaying its official third-quarter earnings report because it said it uncovered an accounting error hiding between $132 million and $154 million of delivery expenses.
Push for Workplace AI Opens Doors for Scammers and Malware Campaigns
A large social media campaign promoted a free AI video editor app that promised to “create breathtaking videos in minutes” with “no special skills required.” It delivered malware instead.
Intelligence Agencies Warn Defense Industrial Base of Russian Sabotage Operations
Six U.S. intelligence agencies issued a warning on Thursday to the defense industrial base about Russian government sabotage operations attempting to undermine Allied support for Ukraine.
January 6 Rioter Convicted of Plotting Murder of FBI Agents
A U.S. federal jury found a Tennessee man guilty of plotting to murder FBI employees who were investigating the man’s involvement in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on 6 January 2021.
CISA Releases New Guidance to Improve Venue Security and Safety
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released guidance on Tuesday to assist venue operators in their efforts to enhance safety, protect assets, and create secure environments.
Smog Shuts Down New Delhi
Air pollution in the highly populated regions of northern India and northern Pakistan reached extremely dangerous levels, closing schools and businesses.
EPA Office of Inspector General Warns That More Than 200 Drinking Water Systems Have Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities
In a passive assessment of more than 1,000 drinking water systems, the EPAOIG found cybersecurity vulnerabilities that an attacker could use to impact service to tens of thousands, potentially millions, of people.
Valencia Leader Admits Mistakes in Flooding Response, Announces Plan for Incident Inquiry
Valencia’s leader admitted mistakes while also casting blame elsewhere in his 15 November speech before the regional parliament to explain the government's response to disastrous flooding that hit the region in late October.
2024 U.S. Election: Ballot Measure Roundup
For the 14 November edition of Today in Security, we’re looking at the ballot measures that were passed or failed to pass in the 2024 U.S. Election.
Soccer Matches Have Become Focal Point of Anti-Israel Protests
The violence that preceded and followed the Europa League soccer match between local team Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv last week in Amsterdam continued through the weekend and early this week. This put a spotlight on antisemitism, as well as anger at Israel for how it has conducted its war in Gaza and other neighboring regions.
Man Drives Vehicle Into People at Community Exercise Facility
On 11 November in Zhuhai, China, a person drove a vehicle into a crowd, killing 35 people and injuring at least 43 others. The suspect injured himself with a knife and is in custody, but comatose and unable to respond to law enforcement.
Amsterdam Initiates Security Crack-Down After Violence Breaks Out Around Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv Match
Amsterdam is banning demonstrations until Monday after violent attacks on Israeli fans occurred before and after a soccer match on Thursday.
29 Alleged Drug Traffickers Arrested in EU Raids
Law enforcement in Albania and Italy successfully shut down a drug trafficking network that is believed to have been responsible for importing drugs from South America into EU member states.
Man Planned to Use Drone-Borne Explosives to Attack Tennessee Substation, FBI Alleges
Federal authorities arrested a 24-year-old man for allegedly trying to blow up a Tennessee power station as part of an accelerationist, white supremacist plot to disrupt American society.
European Cargo Fires Linked to Russian Plot Against United States, Canada
We examine a story first reported by The Wall Street Journal that links Russia to two small explosions at air freight logistics hubs in Europe earlier this year. The devices were reportedly part of a plot to test how to start fires aboard planes carrying cargo to the United States and Canada.
U.S. Secret Service Acknowledges Communications and Preparedness Gaps in 13 July Political Rally Security
“July 13, 2024, was a failure for the Secret Service.” It’s a stark conclusion to the U.S. Secret Service’s Mission Assurance Inquiry report about the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Cyber Practitioners Look to Become More Strategic, Build Non-Technical Skill Sets as Workforce Growth Stalls
The need for cybersecurity professionals continues to grow around the world. But growth of the workforce has slowed for the first time since a major IT security organization began keeping track six years ago.