GSX 2019 Pick 6: Educational Sessions Highlighted for Security Integrators
There are 300+ sessions offered at GSX organized into 17 subject-matter tracks. Here are six to consider from the Physical & Operational Security track.
The GSX session lineup is billed as addressing a wide variety of topics vital to today’s security professional, delivered in immersive formats like small group workshops, simulations, deep dives and more.
CHICAGO — With more than 300 sessions, organized into 17 subject-matter tracks, the education lineup for Global Security Exchange (GSX) 2019 is dense to say the least.
Of course, most of the content and curriculum is not specific to the craft plied by security dealers and systems integrators, save for one track in particular: Physical & Operational Security. Here you’ll find a wide range of peer-driven subject matter — ranging from the technical to business oriented — across a range of vertical markets.
After pouring through descriptions of the 44 sessions that comprise this track, I’ve selected half a dozen to share here as examples of what might strike your interest. Following are course descriptions and links as listed on the GSX website.
Tuesday, Sept. 10
2-3 p.m.: Selling Security Requirements to the C-suite
Often the biggest obstacle to moving ahead with a security program is the final approval of the C-suite. Explore how to develop business case objectives for a security project. Discuss the key items that should be included and define how a cost-benefit analysis can supports the business case objective. Share real-world examples of how security directors have successfully received approvals from top-level executives.
Panelists:
J Kelly Stewart
Managing Director & CEO at Newcastle Consulting
Jeff Lane
Integrated Solutions Specialist at Assa Abloy
Rene Rieder, CPP, PSP
Principal Security Specialist at Burns Engineering
3:30-4:30 p.m.: CPTED Lessons From School Massacres
Recent events within the U.S. and the world at large have changed the standards of care and best practices for providing security for K-12 schools and higher education facilities. By reviewing the finding of the Stoneman Douglas School Security Commission, specific CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) recommendations become apparent. The findings address numerous security concerns and standards, including single points of entry, perimeter fencing and controls, gate control, vehicle barriers, access control sites and buildings, public address systems and mass notification, duress buttons, IP phones, video surveillance systems, HVAC system shutdown, glazing, bullet versus break resistance, doors and locking hardware, corridor walls, and safe zones. Join a discussion of the findings and how they can be applied to various learning environments.
Speaker:
Randy Atlas, CPP
President at Atlas Safety & Security Design
3:30-4:30 p.m.: To Converge or Not Converge: A Debate
The ASIS Foundation is about to release a groundbreaking study on the extent of convergence of physical security, cyber security, and business continuity in the United States, Europe and India. More than 1,000 security professionals responded to the survey supporting the study, which probed reasons for and against convergence, degrees of convergence, positive and negative results of converged departments, factors leading to successful convergence, convergence in various vertical markets, and many other topics. This session puts a human face to the study, with security executives debating the pros and cons of blending cyber, physical and/or business continuity.
Panelists:
Timothy McCreight
Manager, Corporate Security-Cyber at the City of Calgary
Bridger McGaw
Director, Global Security & Services at Athena Health
Wednesday, Sept. 11
2:15-3:15 p.m.: Demystifying Casino Security and Surveillance
Join members of the ASIS Gaming and Wagering Protection Council in an insightful look behind a casino security and surveillance operation, including operational techniques and stories from decades of experience. Many of these techniques can be applied in non-gaming security operations, providing a benefit to all types of industries.
Speakers:
Derk Boss
Gaming Security, Surveillance, and Loss Prevention at DJ Boss Associates
Donald Childers
Vice President of Surveillance and Loss Prevention at Cherokee Nation Entertainment
Alan Zajic
Security Consultant at AWZ Consulting
Robert Prady, CPP, PSP
Field Sales Engineer at Axis Communications
2:15-3:15 p.m.: Lessons Learned Through a Security Design Review
While there is often more than one appropriate design solution for a particular security problem, there are an infinite number of potentially inappropriate designs. In some cases, design issues stem from simple errors or omissions, while in other cases the designers don’t know what they don’t know, resulting in an unacceptable level of under- or over-design. Explore both common and uncommon errors uncovered during years of security design peer reviews for various organizations. Discuss the lessons learned through an interactive format.
Speakers:
Kenneth Herrle, CPP
Senior Engineer at Applied Research Associates
Nancy Renfroe, PSP
Vice President at Applied Research Associates
3:45-4:45 p.m.: Using Drones as a Countermeasure Against Unmanned Threats
Physical security for all but the most extreme situations has traditionally focused on threats that swim, crawl, walk or run. However, this basic assumption is proving to be no longer applicable to even moderate-risk environments. Walk through case studies that show the breadth of real-world commercial-drone security incidents, including corporate espionage, targeted assassination attempts, and terrorist threats. These case studies form the basis for small groups to create risk assessments for various scenarios, including stadiums and outdoor public venues, critical infrastructure, prisons, industrial test facilities, and executive protection. Learn how successful countermeasures can be incorporated into the small group scenarios.
Speakers:
Walter Castleberry
Principal Engineer at SCI Technology
Max Klein
CTO at SCI Technology
You can view all sessions from the Physical & Operational Security track here.
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About the Author
Rodney Bosch, Senior Editor
Although Bosch’s name is quite familiar to those in the security industry, his previous experience has been in daily newspaper journalism. Prior to joining SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION in 2006, he spent 15 years with the Los Angeles Times, where he performed a wide assortment of editorial responsibilities, including feature and metro department assignments as well as content producing for latimes.com. Bosch is a graduate of California State University, Fresno with a degree in Mass Communication & Journalism. In 2007, he successfully completed the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association’s National Training School coursework to become a Certified Level I Alarm Technician.
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