Brian Allen

ASIS International, the association for security management professionals, announces that since the launch of the program in November 2020, the ASIS Foundation has awarded more than 120 COVID-19 support grants to its global membership. This is a major component of the association’s efforts to address the global economic climate and those security communities hit hardest by the pandemic. The ASIS Foundation Board of Trustees approved $100,000 in grants to be awarded to ASIS members in need, encouraging individuals who had been financially impacted by the pandemic to apply for a grant to renew their ASIS membership free of charge or to receive a complimentary online certification study program. Facing unprecedented challenges Grant applications are reviewed by ASIS staff and all application materials remain confidential This program will continue through March 2021. Grant applications are reviewed by ASIS staff and all application materials remain confidential. “Giving back to the security community is what the ASIS Foundation does best,” said Brian Allen, CPP, Chair, ASIS Foundation Board of Trustees. “We recognise that security professionals around the world have faced unprecedented challenges and need support. I thank my fellow ASIS Foundation board members for their agility in addressing the challenges faced by our members throughout the world.” Highlights from the program thus far include: 124 grants awarded to date, to recipients in 27 countries 76% of grants received were used for the renewal of ASIS membership 50% of grant recipients are located outside of the United States 24% of grants received were used for certification review courses Higher medical bills Recipients’ stories range from those who got COVID-19 themselves and now face high medical bills, to those who have endured pay cuts up to even 50 percent, those who have been furloughed for a month or more, or those who have lost their jobs all together. Applicants come from a variety of positions—from front-line to senior level and business owners. Many worked in event security, hotels, airlines, and other industries that have been very hard-hit by the pandemic. “This is a great example of ASIS leaving no security professional behind during these challenging times,” stated John Petruzzi, Jr, CPP, President, ASIS International. “On behalf of our members in 158 countries, I would like to thank the leadership of the ASIS Foundation for their support of our global network of security professionals.”

ASIS International, the association of security management professionals, is pleased to announce it has published new State of Security Convergence in the United States, Europe, and India research conducted by the ASIS Foundation. Using survey responses from more than 1,000 security leaders from around the globe—plus more than 20 follow-up interviews—the study analyses the relationship between physical security, cybersecurity, and business continuity in modern organisations. Physical security and cybersecurity functions It provides relevant benchmarks to compare strategies, plans, and operations and determine best practices for creating more effective and cost-efficient security and risk operations. According to the report, despite years of predictions about the inevitability of security convergence, just 24 percent of respondents have converged their physical and cybersecurity functions. When business continuity is included, a total of 52 percent have converged two or all of the three functions When business continuity is included, a total of 52 percent have converged two or all of the three functions. Of the 48 percent who have not converged at all, 70 percent have no current plans to converge. “For years, security practitioners have accepted that organisations are increasingly converging their physical security and cybersecurity functions,” says Brian Allen, CPP, president, ASIS Foundation Board of Trustees. Elevating security practice through research and education “This study collected current data to measure trends and progress with converging environments. What we’ve learned is that, although convergence has brought positive results, there is still much work to be done.” The study’s executive summary is available free on the Foundation’s website. The full report is available for purchase and is complimentary for all ASIS members. Supported by member and corporate donations, the ASIS Foundation invests in elevating security practice through research and education. The Foundation awarded more than 170 scholarships in 2019 totalling more than $75,000.