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| The pre-seminar will also offer educational sessions on cutting-edge subjects |
It is that time of the year again, when security industry stalwarts gather together at ASIS to showcase the latest in physical security systems and other technological innovations. The event will focus on domestic threats as well as intelligence gathering tools to protect organisations against social media threats.
The organisers of the ASIS International 61st Annual Seminar and Exhibits — ASIS 2015 — expect to welcome nearly 20,000 operational and information security professionals this year. Attendees will discover the hottest new technologies, products and services offered by 600-plus companies. Once again, this year, the (ISC)2 Security Congress will co-locate with the ASIS Seminar.
“(ISC)2 will offer educational sessions that are much more than Information Security 101,” says John A. Petruzzi, Jr., CPP, Vice President of the Enterprise Security Operations Group with New York City-based Time Warner Cable. “They will begin with cyber-security 101 but ultimately cover comprehensive deep-dive cyber security for security directors’ staffs.”
The ASIS show will run from the 28th of September – 1st October 2015, in the convention centre in Anaheim, California. The exhibits will fill the exhibition hall with hundreds of booths featuring the latest in physical security technologies.
The pre-seminar
If you come in over the weekend — Saturday and Sunday, 26th and 27th September — you can catch the pre-seminar for fun, for additional educational offerings, or both.
Pre-seminar fun includes a fundraising motorcycle ride around scenic Los Angeles and Anaheim, a golf tournament and three welcome receptions for members with various interests.
The pre-seminar will also offer educational sessions on cutting-edge subjects such as emerging security technologies, strategies for mitigating vulnerability, security strategies for the Federal market, schools, facilities, cyber-security and more.
Exhibits to focus on disruptive technologies
The main floor of the accompanying exhibits – open Monday through Wednesday – will house disruptive technologies, technological innovations and companies offering leading security services.
“You will learn how dynamic the security profession and the technologies it employs has become,” says Petruzzi. “For example, companies are tapping more and more technologies in the cloud so they don’t have to buy equipment and software and house it and maintain it on their sites.” Cloud providers typically pay to maintain and upgrade their software and equipment, freeing up end-user capital.
"Not long ago, biometrics were clunky to use and difficult to maintain. Today, more flexible solutions provide increased levels of security and control. Visitors can learn about these technologies at The Seminar, too", says John Petruzzi VP of Enterprise Security Operations Group |
And the available technical tools have been tailored to the challenges of the modern world. “For example, there are more investigative tools out there than ever before,” Petruzzi says. “In today’s world, threats come from new and different places.
“Consider social media. Security programs, today, need to collect intelligence available on social media about possible threats to a company’s personnel, buildings, intellectual property and products. New intelligence gathering tools — and companies — monitor social media environments.
“There are more nimble biometric platforms, too. Not long ago, biometrics were clunky to use and difficult to maintain. Today, more flexible solutions provide increased levels of security and control. Visitors can learn about these technologies at the seminar, too.”
Education tracks for every need
Of course, the main event is the seminar itself, running from Monday through Thursday.
Historically, security departments have monitored threats at locations abroad, for the sake of company personnel travelling to those locations, continues Petruzzi. Depending on the location, those threats may be greater than ever.
Domestic threats have grown to include terrorism as well as lone-wolf shooters, disgruntled current and former employees, angry spouses and so on.
“From the educational point of view, security professionals from all levels with find tracks or individual sessions that will fulfil their educational needs,” says Petruzzi.
You will also find the ASIS and (ISC)2 Career Center on the main floor. Here visitors can talk to experts about career building strategies and job-search techniques including effective resume presentations.
Keynote speakers
Three strong keynote speakers will set the tone for the seminar. Raymond W. Kelly, former commissioner of the New York Police Department, will share his insights on counter terrorism and cyber security.
General Michael Hayden, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency and former director of the National Security Agency will assess the political climate in hot spots across the globe.
At the closing luncheon on Thursday, General James Mattis, former commander of the United States Joint Forces Command will discuss leadership.
By the end of this year’s seminar, visitors will have a sense that the industry is growing in professionalism and capabilities in ways that are necessary to managing growing threats here and around the world.
