- David K. Hernandez, director of global security design and engineering at The Walt Disney Company, will be the afternoon keynote for Perimeter PREVENT 2026
- Perimeter PREVENT 2026, the industry’s perimeter security symposium, is scheduled for June 24 in Washington, D.C.
- Perimeter PREVENT is free for government workers.
SILVER SPRING, Md.—The Security Industry Association (SIA) has announced the second keynote speaker and more expert presenters for the 2026 Perimeter PREVENT, the perimeter security symposium scheduled for June 24 in Washington, D.C.
Perimeter PREVENT, presented by SIA with guidance from the SIA Perimeter Security Subcommittee, will gather policymakers, federal agency personnel, architects, engineers and security solution providers to engage on the critical issues related to perimeter defense for physical environments, including government and commercial facilities, critical infrastructure and events.
Just announced is the afternoon keynote—The Integrated Perimeter: Convergint Technology Into Outcomes—featuring David K. Hernandez, director of global security design and engineering at The Walt Disney Company. In this session, Hernandez “will examine how organizations can connect perimeter technologies and operational workflows to improve visibility, speed decision making and strengthen resilience,” the SIA announcement says.
Hernandez is a technology leader with nearly 20 years of experience aligning IT systems with business needs across a range of industries. His background includes solution design, project management and strategic planning, with deep expertise in physical security systems as well as experience in asset management.
He has led enterprise deployments and understands the coordination, resources and cross-functional alignment required to execute large-scale change. At The Walt Disney Company, he helped develop programs for the Global Security Operations Center.
Who Are the Other Perimeter PREVENT Speakers?
Previously announced was the morning keynote fireside chat with Ret. General William J. Walker, vice president and corporate security director, enterprise accounts, at Allied Universal Security Services. Walker brings over 30 years of distinguished service in security, law enforcement and military leadership to his current role at Allied Universal.
Walker was a special agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration and served as the 38th Sergeant at Arms, U.S. House of Representatives, 117th Congress. Previously, he served as the 23rd commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard, overseeing Army and Air National Guard operations and providing military support to civilian authorities.
Additional featured speakers include:
- Matthew Beausoleil, perimeter security lighting specialist, CAST Perimeter
- Gerald Becker, vice president, market development and alliances, Quanergy Solutions
- Eric Dean, chief technology officer, security and electronic systems, M.C. Dean
- Christa Decker, co-chair, SIA Perimeter Security Subcommittee; vice president, Protective Design Group, Whitman, Requardt & Associates
- Melissa Dominguez, founder, Dominguez Urban Strategies
- Amy Dunton, co-chair, SIA Perimeter Security Subcommittee; vice president, Sulton Security
- Bill Eckard, senior director, public safety, corrections and federal physical security—Americas, Octave
- Joelle Hushen, founder and president, National Institute of Crime Prevention; co-founder, U.S. CPTED Association
- William Leonard, director of engineering, security and electronic systems, M.C. Dean
- Rachelle Loyear, vice president of integrated security solutions, Allied Universal
- Rhett McDonough, project leader, security and electronic systems, M.C. Dean
- Cathy McHugh, marketing and sales associate, CIAS Security
- Rob Millar, regional manager, FLIR Systems
- Nicole Palumbo, chief operating officer, Magos Americas
- Gregg Pingitore, detective, threat reduction and infrastructure protection, Counterterrorism Division, New York City Police Department
- Andy Shartzer, technical evangelist, Motorola Solutions
- Elliott Shem-Tov, senior A&E consultant program manager, Hanwha Vision America
- Colin Travis, founder, 3-D Security
- Andriy Tsinyk, business development manager, Gallagher Security
- Herb Ubbens, president, Paratus Consultant Group
- Aryn Vastola, vice president, sales and marketing, Betafence Group
Highlighted Perimeter PREVENT session topics include:
- How the convergence of thermal imaging, LiDAR, artificial intelligence-driven video analytics and digital twin visualization is redefining what it means to secure the edge
- An integrated approach to proactive perimeter defense
- How crime prevention through environmental design applies to perimeter security in the public safety sphere
- How to apply layered artificial intelligence to reduce noise, speed triage and strengthen perimeter security operations
- How to secure the perimeter of at-risk sites with multiple technologies working together on every layer
- How data center perimeters create—and navigate—a natural collision point between construction-phase security and a permanent perimeter infrastructure
The event will conclude with a happy hour networking reception where attendees can connect with other industry leaders.
“SIA is proud to welcome two outstanding keynote speakers—David Hernandez and Ret. General William Walker—whose expertise spanning security, law enforcement, military leadership, engineering, solution design, project management and strategic planning will be immensely valuable to attendees,” says SIA CEO Don Erickson in the association announcement.
“More now than ever before, perimeter security requires layered and strategic approaches and Perimeter PREVENT 2026 will help industry and government personnel stay current on these strategies and how to apply them to high-value environments while offering meaningful opportunities to connect with other leaders, present questions and share ideas,” he says.
Perimeter PREVENT is free for government workers, including public safety, military/defense, education and legislative staff and other government employees. The event is considered a “widely attended gathering” and complies with all relevant event guidelines. Industry access starts at $175 for SIA members.
