Veterans in security

The second day of Global Security Exchange (GSX), the security industry’s flagship event, was jam-packed with security professionals eager to get first-hand exposure to exhibitors and vendors offering innovative solutions that solve traditional everyday security issues as well as deliver emerging technologies to solve problems of the future, such as AI, blockchain and AR/VR. Security education and insights GSX provides an outstanding opportunity for our members to gain education and insights about current security trends and threats" “GSX provides an outstanding opportunity for our members to gain education and insights about current security trends and threats, and also to see all the greatest and newest technologies out there on the expo floor,” said Kimberly Pratt, executive director of InfraGard National. “We hope ASIS members will come check out our booth and learn more about what InfraGard has to offer." “Today’s show exceeded our expectations based on the quality prospects who provided good conversations about our solutions,” said Paul Baratta, Business Development Manager, Axis Communications, Inc.; and ASIS Boston Chapter Treasurer; and member of the ASIS Healthcare Advisory Council. “It was overall a very successful day and I personally fully enjoyed the new X Stages as they provided more insight into the industry and the impact technologies are making today as well as how they will shape future engagements with our customers. We’re looking forward to the remainder of GSX!” Counter-UAV defence systems In the morning keynote, delivered by Scott Klososky, Founder and Principal of TriCorps Technologies, he addressed how the industry can leverage technology to solve challenges. Attendees were then released onto the GSX show floor featuring three new stages, including the X Stage, where they heard about revolutionary technologies poised to disrupt the industry first-hand. There was a standing-room only, live streamed school security panel as well as on-the-show floor demos showcasing the use of drones, droids and counter-UAV defence systems. Fortem Technologies, an innovative provider of AI-enabled airspace security and safety, conducted three drone shoot downs throughout the day, which has never happened on a security show floor to date. Prior to the doors opening, we saw a lot excitement about what new and exciting initiatives ASIS was bringing this year" “It has been an important show for us to be at over the years, and this year is no different. We’re seeing more convergence and integration of technology as well as partnerships, which aligns with our mission at the show,” said Eric Widlitz, Vice President of North America Sales, Vanderbilt Industries. “Prior to the doors opening, we saw a lot excitement about what new and exciting initiatives ASIS was bringing this year.” Career guide for security professionals This afternoon ASIS and the Security Industry Association (SIA) unveiled the rollout of the Career Pathways Guide in the GSX Career HQ. This new career guide provides a first of its kind review of core competencies that are needed at every stage of a security professional’s career. “Now that the first day of the Expo Hall has closed, it is evident from the standing-room only theaters and shoulder-to-shoulder packed aisles, that the industry has fully embraced the new show format and features,” said Richard E. Chase, CPP, PCI, PSP, President of ASIS International.

The Africa Security Symposium, West, North and Central is one of the premier security events in the region. Tailored to the needs of the region, this event will play host to over 300 of the world’s leading security organisations and private stakeholders, working toward establishing long-term security and peace across the African continent. Security expertise and solutions This year’s discussion will feature a wide range of topics, including Counterterrorism, Technology Advancements and Peace Support Operations with panellist contributions from Heads of Government, Armed Forces and Police from across West and North Africa. Attendees will learn of the ongoing programmes and hear first-hand from local and international executives offering expertise and solutions spanning the entire security sector. Across the two days, delegates will benefit from GRV Global’s revered format of interactive plenary discussions, exhibition, business networking, social functions and above all, private 1-2-1 matchmaking meetings that enable delegates to engage directly with officials and their peers. Pre-event, participants are able to request meetings and receive an individually tailored schedule at the event, allowing for focused discussions and maximised outcomes.

Philip Halpin, Senior Vice President & Head of Global Security for Brown Brothers Harriman, and James A. Gagliano, Retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent, CNN Law Enforcement Analyst, and Adjunct Assistant Professor, headline ISC East’s Keynote Series. ISC East, sponsored by the Security Industry Association (SIA), is proud to announce not one, but two new keynote speakers for this year’s inaugural Keynote Series. The ISC East Keynote Series features veterans of the security industry who are well-known for their widely-respected accomplishments; and who are prepared to help security and public safety professionals gain new perspectives to arm them with the information they need to lead the security industry into the future. Security management & analysis Halpin plans to discuss how technology is poised to disrupt the physical security industryFeatured in the Day One Keynote on November 14th titled “Friend or Foe? Technology Disruption and the Physical Security Industry,” Philip Halpin, Senior Vice President & Head of Global Security for one of the country’s oldest and largest privately held financial firms Brown Brothers Harriman, will speak on how he deals with the demands on security and people management, while riding the wave of technology disruption. Halpin also plans to discuss how technology has changed how we work and live, and how it’s clearly poised to disrupt the physical security industry. Day Two’s Keynote Series session on November 15th will highlight James A. Gagliano, a Retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent, CNN Law Enforcement Analyst, and Adjunct Assistant Professor at St. John’s University. Gagliano’s session, titled “Twenty-First Century Best Practices: Reporting from the Front Lines on How Law Enforcement and the Security Industry are Confronting Emerging Threats, ” will discuss some of the 21st Century changes in law enforcement and security postures, as well as address recent responses to contemporary challenges, such as active shooters, bombings, VIP protection, and drone applications by identifying and breaking down an ever-evolving threat matrix. Security education “ISC East is honored to have Philip Halpin and James Gagliano as Keynote Speakers for our 2018 event. Their extensive experience managing real-world security and safety issues will be very valuable for our audience at the Show. The ISC East Keynote Series spans from corporate and private sector security to law enforcement and public safety, reflecting essential content in line with our ISC Security Events theme of Comprehensive Security for a Safer, Connected World,” said Will Wise, Group Vice President, Security Portfolio at Reed Exhibitions.  The SIA Education@ISC East Program helps security professionals learn from experts and take their security to the next levelIn addition to the Keynote Series, ISC East features SIA Education@ISC, an inspiring free education program composed of over 25 sessions that provide critical information on the newest and most relevant technologies in the industry. Brought to you by SIA, the SIA Education@ISC East Program delivers all-new content on the most current business trends, technologies and latest developments to help security professionals learn from experts, keep up-to-date and take their security to the next level. Public safety & security “The security industry attends ISC East not only for the diversity of technology solutions on the Show Floor, but for the practical education and thought-provoking keynotes for which the event has become known for,” said Don Erickson, CEO of the Security Industry Association. “Keynote speakers like Philip Halpin and James Gagliano combined with more than two dozen compelling SIA Education@ISC sessions, create an exceptional content program for ISC East 2018.” Taking place November 14-15, 2018 at the Javits Center, ISC East is Northeast’s largest security trade show where over 7,000 security and public safety professionals convene in New York each year to meet experts from over 250 leading security brands through exhibits, education, networking events, and more. New this year, ISC East will be co-located with Unmanned Security Expo and Infosecurity North America, creating a fully comprehensive event for the security industry in New York City.

Paxton, the global brand of electronic access control and video intercom solutions has appointed Jeff Pou as Training Engineer for the Southeast. Based in Georgia, Jeff will be responsible for training dealers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, ensuring they are aware of Paxton’s product offerings to support their current and future projects. Prior experience at Apple & Microsoft Jeff joins Paxton with over 20 years of training experience, previously working for global technology companies, such as Apple and Microsoft as a trainer. He is bi-lingual and speaks both English and Spanish fluently. Commenting on the appointment, Steve Woodbridge, Paxton’s Global Training Manager, said: “We’re delighted to have Jeff join our team. His background and experience bring a new dynamic and will provide our dealers with exceptional insight in the training they receive, helping them grow their business.” BICSI accredited training sessions Jeff is excited about the opportunities working with Paxton will bring stating: “I love getting people to that ‘ah ha’ moment of understanding the system and products I am training them on. Knowing that I might have an impact on their careers is what drives me. Installers come to training for many different reasons, and I am able to help by listening to their needs and providing them with solutions to offer their customers.” Paxton have dedicated Training Engineers providing BICSI accredited training sessions at convenient locations across the country. So far this year, Paxton has trained over 1700 dealers from more than 900 companies.

Global MSC Security has announced the keynote speakers for the Global MSC Security Conference and Exhibition 2018. The Surveillance Camera Commissioner will be joined by representatives from the Information Commissioners Office (ICO), Avon and Somerset Police, Dacorum Borough Council, Soter Protective Services and a criminologist from the University of Essex, to discuss ‘GDPR, Surveillance and Security’. Managing Director of Global MSC Security, Derek Maltby says: “The GDPR has been EU law since 25th May 2018, but there is still much confusion and misinformation regarding what the new data protection regulation means for the surveillance and wider security sector. We are bringing together the experts for a one-day conference in the hope of providing clarification as to the best way forward, in order to safeguard people and assets whilst adhering to the law.” Security & surveillance experts The 20th annual Global MSC Security Conference and Exhibition, now in its 14th year takes place on Tuesday 13th November at the Bristol Hotel, Bristol. Confirmed keynote speakers include: Tony Porter MSyl is the Surveillance Camera Commissioner, whose role is to encourage compliance with the surveillance camera code of practice. Anne Russell is Senior Policy Officer at the ICO and will discuss GDPR in the context of the security and surveillance sector. Peter Spindler MSyI is Director of Soter Protective Services and he will draw on the learning from Operation Yewtree to provide insight into the role security professionals can play in safeguarding the vulnerable and how GDRP is applied. Sgt Chris Green from Avon and Somerset Police will be talking about reducing harm in the community by maximising the benefits of CCTV, and how covert methods and body worn video cameras are having a dramatic effect on the policing of complex problems.  Jim Guiton is the Community Control Room Manager at Dacorum Borough Council and will explain how he ensures the council complies with GDPR in relation to its 350-strong surveillance camera network. Prof. Pete Fussey is a Criminologist from the University of Essex specialising in surveillance and society. The Global MSC Security Conference & Exhibition is free-to-attend for all delegates and they will receive double CPD points from the Security Institute for attending the conference programme.

National Business Crime Solution (NBCS), a not for profit initiative that enables the sharing of data between law enforcement agencies and the business community in order to reduce crime, is celebrating a successful first year for its Associate Membership scheme. NBCS recently welcomed Milestone Systems, Axis Communications, GMS Group, SmartWater and SWL Security as Associate Members, and these organisations join Mitie, CSL Group, Hikvision and Athelney Group as part of this pioneering initiative. The Associate Membership scheme bridges the gap between technology providers and end users, giving vendors access to senior decision makers at some of the nation’s most prestigious organisations. Through a range of initiatives, such as one-day seminars, they get a unique opportunity to demonstrate their risk management, security, fraud and loss prevention solutions. NBCS has also introduced a monthly series of Crime Call events, where NBCS Members and Associate Members take part in a conference call to discuss specific issues and examine how technology can help address them by creating safer environments. Security deployment & risk management NBCS actively seeks to open new avenues for Associate Members across a range of vertical sectors and government bodies Furthermore, NBCS actively seeks to open new avenues for Associate Members across a range of vertical sectors and government bodies by encouraging participation across its initiatives such as Operation Bird and the Community Guarding scheme. It also helps position NBCS as a critical friend of business, the police service and all business reduction partnerships, through furthering the use of technology by all those affected by business crime. NBCS Associate Membership is available in a number of different packages and costs between £4,000-£15,000 a year. The basic package features advertising and promotion to existing members, while the premium package includes consultancy from senior NBCS personnel, who are able to advise on subjects such as fraud risk, risk management, enterprise risk management and security deployment. Associate Membership status “Having Milestone Systems, Axis Communications, GMS Group, SmartWater and SWL Security join us is the icing on the cake of what’s been a very busy but exciting year for the Associate Membership scheme,” concluded Daniel Hardy, managing director at NBCS. “Having so many prestigious security solutions providers on board has proven mutually beneficial both for them and NBCS Members and allowed us to encourage these two interdependent groups to engage in constructive dialogue. We are currently talking to a number of other companies and will soon be in a position to announce their Associate Membership status.”

The security industry has been earning more than its share of accolades for employing military veterans. With big companies such as G4S Secure Solutions employing more than 9,000 veterans in various positions – 22 percent of its workforce – the industry has become distinctly “military friendly.” In fact, the company and rival Allied Barton Security Services were both named 2014 Military Friendly Employers by Victory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs. Both have also won the G.I. Jobs Top 100 Military Friendly Employers honour. To win these awards the companies had to meet strict criteria for recruiting and employing veterans. “Character, commitment and courage are the characteristics I find many veterans have and that’s what many employers in the workforce want to hire,” says Bob Williams, president, Briscoe Protective Systems Inc. G4S was named multiple times to these prestigious lists and awards: Top 50 Military-Friendly Employer by G.I. Jobs; Top 100 Military-Friendly Employer; Training magazine's Top 125; and Most Valuable Military Employer. Additionally, all across the USA, G4S has received awards from the Department of Defense, Employer Support of the Guard (ESGR) program. Going the extra mile in employing veterans is particularly important these days. In recent years the plight of unemployed veterans has gotten a lot of attention. With unemployment at a stubborn 6.5 percent – 9 percent for Gulf War II era veterans – there were more than 722,000 unemployed former military personnel in 2013. In many respects, actively seeking veterans for employment has been an easy sell to companies. Many of the skills taught by the military translate well into the security field. “Character, commitment and courage are the characteristics I find many veterans have and that’s what many employers in the workforce want to hire,” says Bob Williams, president, Briscoe Protective Systems Inc. in Centereach, New York. “If you have someone who has the technical skills, but bad work habits and bad character traits in dealing with customers, you can’t correct that. You can teach the skill, but not the character traits.” From the American Legion to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the security industry has received recognition for its dedication to the nation’s soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines.

Veterans are able to use their skills from the military to help develop strategies Ex-army officers/ military veterans bring considerable skills and invaluable experience to security companies. Not only do they play an important role in frontline positions, but also their exposure to a diverse array of security challenges make them increasingly valuable in formulating security management strategies. At the same time, such companies also offer the veterans an alternative and rewarding career in the civilian workforce where their past experience is highly valued. It's a win-win situation for both parties. Kevin Farrell always arrives early to his job at the offices of G4S Security in Jupiter, Florida. As senior manager for the national communications centre, he is charge of all the communication with more than 130 field offices for this large security company. A former military officer and current Florida National Guard captain, he has spent 23 years serving in capacities ranging from commanding an artillery unit to transportation security and military policing.   “We manage incoming crisis calls, field calls, requests for services and internal operations,” says Farrell. “We can handle anything from (company response to) Super Storm Sandy and utilise our centre here to ensure that our officers and clients are taken care of. We use this as an operations centre to send officers from other locations to assist (with situations.) It’s a 24/7, 365 day operation.” When the East Coast was ravaged by Super Storm Sandy a few years, G4S sent more than 100 additional officers to assist customers in digging out from the disaster. Farrell’s operation, which includes a dozen managers and staff, is tasked with handling all the critical communications needed to make such big logistical operations happen. In addition to crisis, the centre also handles big jobs such as communications for events like the Super Bowl. Veterans working for security companies say their military backgrounds and the wide variety of skills they acquired there serve them well. Veterans working for security companies say their military backgrounds and the wide variety of skills they acquired there serve them well “There was a time I was pushing 4000 hours per week providing security coverage with 120 officers that worked for me at the time,” says Timothy Meredith, Client Value Manager at AlliedBarton Security Services. That job was one of a series of positions with increasing responsibility Meredith has filled since joining the company in 2007. His first job as a uniformed security officer came at an opportune time for the military veteran. After first getting out of the service he had joined a company called Homeland Security Solutions that provided military police training to the U.S. Navy. When that contract ended, and the Navy took the program back in-house, he was left unemployed. “I was out of work, so just like anybody else I was jumped on the computer immediately and started looking for a job,” he recalls. He was seeking a security industry position when he came across a listing for AlliedBarton. Within a few days he was working as a new emergency response officer responsible for providing security to a variety of client sites. He received his first promotion within three months and has moved steadily up the ladder since then. Each position has brought more responsibility and – usually – an extended geographic area. His latest job put 600 employees and 60 different work sites under his authority. “I was looking for a solution where I could advance my future and do something good and meaningful at the same time,” recalls Kateri Nelson, Capture Management Support Representative with AlliedBarton Security Services. “I thought the military was a good option for me.” “We can handle anything from (company response to) Super Storm Sandy and utilise our centre here to ensure that our officers and clients are taken care of... It’s a 24/7, 365 day operation”, says Florida National Guard captain - Kevin Farrell. Thanks to the military, she was able to not only complete college, but also attend advanced training in linguistics and human intelligence. These were all skills that proved useful when it came time to move into the security industry. While finishing up a tour of duty with the Colorado National Guard, Nelson learned about an opening with AlliedBarton from a fellow soldier in her unit. She got her foot in the door as a human relations assistant and then quickly moved into a recruiting job that allowed her to use her skills in identifying and interviewing candidates for jobs within the company – including a number of fellow veterans. More recently she was promoted to “capture management” for the company. “That has been a great opportunity to use some of my other military skills as far as intelligence collection,” says Nelson. “We focus on government security contracting opportunities. I’m able to use my skills from the military there to help develop strategies and get any relevant intelligence around a pursuit we might be interested in following.” For these and other veterans, the security industry has proven a path of opportunity that has allowed them to put their hard earned skills to work in the civilian workforce.

Many security company employees say they first learned about opportunities in the field through other employees The nation’s security companies are increasingly turning to U.S. military veterans to fill the ranks of both uniformed guards and management personnel. Getting the best former soldiers, airmen and sailors into the civilian workforce requires recruiting, and some of the best recruiters are other veterans. A wide variety of current security company employees say they first learned about opportunities in the field through other employees. Larger companies have well established connections with military organisations and send recruiters to bases to meet with service personnel who are getting ready to end their military service. “We can’t hire veterans only, but we definitely do promote the hiring of veterans whenever we can,” says Bob Williams, president, Briscoe Protective Systems Inc. in Centereach, New York. On a recent weekday, Williams was getting ready to interview a veteran who he met through the company that handled maintenance work on his pool. “I didn’t realise he was a veteran, but I could see with his character and the way he worked with the guys that he was team player,” says Williams. “After the end of the (summer) season he was laid off, and I wanted to give him an opportunity to work with us.”       The ex-soldier also told Williams about another veteran who was interested in getting into the security industry.    Veterans tend to be exceptional employees who require less training (and hand-holding) than other employees “We get them through word of mouth from other veterans more than anything else,” he explains. Few people appreciate the value of veterans more than veterans themselves. Kateri Nelson, who until recently served as a recruiter for AlliedBarton Security Services in Colorado, notes that she was able to bring a number of veterans into the company. “One of the best parts of the job was being able to help veterans to find employment and get them started on a career path with AlliedBarton,” she says. “I was fortunate to be in that position.” Nelson was herself first told about opportunities in the company by a company employee who was serving in her unit in the Colorado National Guard. Veterans tend to be exceptional employees who require less training (and hand-holding) than other employees. In addition, most company managers see them as less prone to turnover. They also face some unique challenges as they integrate back into the civilian workforce. While they may be called on use many of the same skills they used in the service, veterans often face a very different world. As one security company executive noted, managing civilians can very different than soldiers. “The consequences for failing to carry out an order can be very different in the military than in a civilian workplace,” he observes. They have to get used to other workers who may not always have the same level of discipline as they do.       Freshly minted civilians also face a shock when they see the wages paid by civilian companies.       “When people are getting out of the military their expectations in regards to what they should be getting paid is significantly higher than the reality of today’s world,” says Dennis Lejeck, president of Black Knight Security in Pittsburgh. In an industry in which the typical guard may be making $9 an hour, veterans are “just shocked when you say that’s your starting pay and is that a wage that’s acceptable to you”, says Dennis Lejeck, president of Black Knight Security In an industry in which the typical guard may be making $9 an hour, veterans are “just shocked when you say that’s your starting pay and is that a wage that’s acceptable to you.” After spending years in the military many veterans are unfamiliar with the pay scales common in the industry.  “When they wrap their heads around, this is what it’s going to be at least until I can finish my college, then it seems to go okay” he notes. “Some of them we lose because they had higher expectations and then they don’t end up coming on board with us.” Once veterans get out and start looking for a job, it can also be difficult to translate the skills they acquired in the military and make them understandable to an employer. “I was enlisted (in the Army) and then got out at age 23,” recalls Lejeck. “I was in the infantry, so it’s really hard to translate what I did as a member of the infantry and put on a professional resume.” Security companies tend to be more aware of the difficulties presented by trying to match up skills gained in the military with a civilian position. “A good way to approach that is we hire the person not the resume,” says Dan Williams, president of Cloverton Security. “We look at the person and the history they have and what people say about them in their references.” Cloverton wants employees who understand and are committed to their unique security niche – cannabis dispensaries. Security companies put veterans through the same background and evaluations as any employee would face before hire. Many realise that they also need to be aware of the stresses that veterans – particularly combat veterans – have experienced and may still carry with them.        “It’s obviously a big change going from a high-risk danger zone to coming back to a place like Denver,” says Williams. “With that you could have certain effects from it in terms of the intensity level involved, but we try to monitor that very carefully.” Cloverton, like other companies, requires random drug testing, full physicals and is developing a full psychological review for its employees. It also provides health benefits for its staff, according to Williams.