Are there holes in your security program? Quite likely. In this episode of SM Highlights, host Brendan Howard speaks with red team expert Gary DeMercurio about how to develop a testing program and scope that deliver actionable results and value. Also, Marc Weber Tobias outlines the concept of insecurity engineering in locks and the basic awareness security practitioners should leverage. Then, Mark Johnson explains how data-driven video surveillance systems are being used to improve operations and safety for medevac helicopters. 

Additional Resources
Interested in penetration testing? Watch a selection of key takeaways from GSX 2024 speakers here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHXSh77ONPw 

Read more about pen testing and red teaming in Security Management’s coverage publishing later in December. 

Read more from WIRED about Marc Weber Tobias’s work on Medeco locks here: https://www.wired.com/2008/08/medeco-locks-cr/ 

For more on medevac helicopter security, read Mark Johnson’s article here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2024/december/Data-Driven-Video-Technology-Enhances-Medevac-Helicopters-Safety/ 

Learn more about flying debris affecting helipad safety in this National Transportation Safety Board safety alert: https://www.ntsb.gov/Advocacy/safety-alerts/Documents/SA-057.pdf 

Dive deeper into transportation security in the December 2024 issue of Security Technology here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2024/december/ 


Imagination Required: Red Teams, Better Lock Design, and Helicopter Security Technology

When the UnitedHealthcare CEO was killed in New York City in early December 2024, executive protection and corporate security professionals worldwide had to grapple with increased fear, criticism, and demands. Chuck Tobin and Caleb Gilbert from the International Protective Security Board join the SM Highlights podcast to discuss close protection and pre-attack indicators. But growing pressure on private security can have personal ramifications—Eric Davoine outlines how burnout is a serious challenge for security professionals and what ethical leaders can do about it. 

Additional Resources
Read more about the UnitedHealthcare CEO killing from Security Management in a number of articles, including: 

•	Security Professionals Grapple with Criticism, Board Mandates, and Public Anger in the Wake of Targeted CEO Attack: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/latest-news/today-in-security/2024/december/aftermath-ceo-attack/ 
•	UnitedHealthcare CEO Shot and Killed in Manhattan: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/latest-news/today-in-security/2024/december/unitedhealthcare-executive-protection/ 
•	Copycat, Contagion, and the Robin Hood Effect as Risk Enhancers in Targeted Violence: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/12/robin-hood-effect/ 

Want to learn more about executive protection? Here are the recommended resources from Chuck Tobin and Caleb Gilbert: 
•	ASIS International Executive Protection Community: https://community.asisonline.org/subjectareahome?CommunityKey=067c2745-7d91-4044-b7f4-11edd0e782b1 
•	International Protective Security Board (IPSB): https://ipsboard.org/ 
•	ASIS International Standards and Guidelines: https://www.asisonline.org/publications--resources/standards--guidelines/ 

Learn more about mental health and burnout in security in the latest coverage from Security Management here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/01/burnout/ 

Read more about burnout from Eric Davoine and Gigi Agassini, CPP, here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/01/burnout/tackling-burnout/ 

How does burnout differ from operational stress? Learn more here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2019/07/under-pressure-managing-team-wellness/ 

Having trouble keeping your high-performing team engaged but not burned out? Read insights and guidance here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2022/09/how-to-keep-high-performance-security-teams-motivated/ 

Explore how best to manage across private security and former public sector professionals here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/09/career-transition/ 


How a CEO’s Murder Changes Executive Protection, Plus Burnout Risks in Professional Security

Everybody enters facilities through parking lots or parking garages, but these areas are often an afterthought for security, says lawyer Michael Haggard. But considering crimes of opportunity as well as liability issues, that uneven focus can be costly for organizations and commercial property owners. Also in this episode of SM Highlights, Eddie Sorrells, CPP, PCI, PSP, president of DSI Security Services and vice-president of ASIS International, digs into the who, what, when, where, and—most importantly—the why behind security incident reports. 


Additional Resources
Want to learn more about parking lot security solutions? Read more from Security Management here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/01/garages/parking-security-solutions/ 
What legal risks do organizations face in parking lots? Read this roundup of recent cases: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/01/garages/legal-report-parking-liability/ 
Why do security organizations get sued? Read the top five categories here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/08/lawsuits/5-reasons-security-gets-sued/ 
Dig deeper into incident report writing skills and value in this collection of articles from Security Management: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/01/incident-reports/ 
What should your incident reports entail? Here’s a primer from the ASIS Protection of Assets manual: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/01/incident-reports/incident-reporting-form-sections/ 
Want to refresh your memory about one of the most consequential incident reports of all time? Read our summary of the Watergate incident: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/01/incident-reports/watergate-incident-report/ 


When Considering Liability, Don’t Overlook Your Parking Lots and Incident Reports

Whether you’re considering a career change, debating how to get more involved in your industry, or want to connect more thoroughly with community stakeholders about your security program, this SM Highlights episode has something for you. Security leadership recruiter Kathy Lavinder outlines pathways—and pitfalls—on the journey into private security careers. To celebrate ASIS International’s 70th anniversary, former ASIS presidents Eduard Emde, CPP, and Godfried Hendriks, CPP, share the history of the association and how volunteerism helps move the industry forward. Then, Domingo Ibarra explains how he leveraged community partners to demonstrate security’s value to the organization beyond traditional “guns, guards, and gates” perceptions. 

Additional Resources
Learn more about career transitions in this collection of Security Management articles: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/09/career-transition/ 
ASIS members can access a new eBook about career transitions for free as part of the 2025 ASIS Member Appreciation Month here: https://store.asisonline.org/how-to-boost-your-career-transition-potential-ebook.html?_gl=1*x4hi*_gcl_au*MTc4NTk0Njc0OS4xNzM3MzgyNDE0*_ga*MjEyODY5NzQ4MC4xNjY3NDE3ODkw*_ga_0ZPVSP549B*MTc0MTAxNTI0NC4yNDA2LjEuMTc0MTAxNzQzNS4wLjAuMA.. 
Read research from The Clarity Factory about hiring: https://www.clarityfactory.com/blog/effective-transitions-from-public-to-private-sector-security 
Learn more about ASIS career resources: https://www.asisonline.org/professional-development/career-hq/ 
Learn more about ASIS certification: https://www.asisonline.org/certification/why-get-certified/ 
Join the ASIS Mentoring Program: https://community.asisonline.org/resources/mentoring?_gl=1*devdb1*_gcl_au*MTc4NTk0Njc0OS4xNzM3MzgyNDE0*_ga*MjEyODY5NzQ4MC4xNjY3NDE3ODkw*_ga_0ZPVSP549B*MTc0MTAxNTI0NC4yNDA2LjEuMTc0MTAxODI1OS4wLjAuMA..  
Want to learn more about how to make security a value-generator rather than a cost center? Read the latest research from ASIS International. https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/02/asis-research-security-trends/measuring-security-business-role/ 
Learn about the National Landlord Training Program here: https://www.cdri.com/library/CDRI_LTP_National_5_4.pdf 


Corporate Security Career Advice: Pathways, Volunteerism, and Relationship-Building

In 2021, the ASIS Foundation published research about how social media and artificial intelligence can be leveraged to proactively identify new security issues. Now, we check in with one of those researchers—Chelsea Binns from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice—to see what has changed in the field, the ethics of researching social media, and what’s she’s looking at now. 
This episode is brought to you by the ASIS Foundation. Find out more here: https://www.asisonline.org/get-involved/asis-foundation/ 

Additional Resources
Read the 2021 research, Using Social Media to Gather Security Intelligence, and other ASIS Foundation research online here: https://www.asisonline.org/get-involved/asis-foundation/asis-foundation-research/ 

Learn how OSINT and social media intelligence can become actionable in this Security Technology article: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2023/december/stopping-an-active-shooter-with-osint/ 

More and more people get their news from social media. But when algorithms are designed to capture attention—even with traumatic content—what does this mean for protests and de-escalation? https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/01/burnout/social-media-crisis-response/  

Online chatter and conspiracy theories can rapidly affect your organization’s reputation security. Learn more here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2023/02/reputation-security/redesigning-pandoras-box/ 

Improving social media governance is crucial for organizations to effectively manage their online presence. Find out more with Security Technology: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2023/december/managing-digital-risk-with-social-media-governance/ 

Hone your situational awareness skills with this Security Management article: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2022/09/how-to-improve-your-situational-awareness/ 


Bonus: Social Media Intelligence for Security

Business travel is back, and travel risk is back right with it. In this episode of the SM Highlights podcast, Robert Dodge outlines the growing threat of wrongful detention during business travel, his own experiences being detained abroad, and how to educate travelers about risk. Gene Petrino shares proactive strategies for preventing workplace violence incidents, including threat assessments and early intervention. Then, Dale Buckner explains how duty of care is changing in the face of escalating and overlapping crises, from hurricanes to pandemics and more. 


Additional Resources
Learn more about wrongful detention in this article from Robert Dodge here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2025/april/wrongful-detention-an-ermging-travel-risk-for-2025/ 

Where is wrongful detention on the rise? Find out: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2025/april/where-wrongful-detention-is-on-the-rise/ 

What are the different travel risk indicators used by the U.S. State Department? https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2023/07/travel-security/fast-facts-travel-risk-indicators/ 

Learn how to keep yourself calm during stressful situations with these de-escalation tips. https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/11/deescalation/emotional-dysregulation/ 

What other travel risk management issues should you be watching? Read the latest issue of Security Technology to find out: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2025/april/ 

Explore ASIS research about active assailant preparedness and response here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/03/research-active-assailants/ 

Read more from Gene Petrino about proactive and preventative measures to mitigate active assailant risks: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/03/research-active-assailants/proactive-active-assailant-intervention/ 

Learn how the COVID-19 pandemic affected duty of care and other security issues in this retrospective: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/03/pandemic-readiness/post-covid-security/ 

Attendees at ASIS Europe 2025 debated duty of care and travel risk management in a special session last month. Get the highlights here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2025/april/5-takeaways-from-asis-europe/

Safer Travels: Wrongful Detention, Active Assailants, and Duty of Care

Security benefits can come from unexpected sources, especially in community-centric organizations like schools and colleges. Melinda Heikkinen from Saint Louis University (SLU) explains how the college’s history of open dialogue and philosophy of meeting peace with peace helped it weather a wave of mass protests on campus. Then, Jason Stoddard with the National Council of School Safety Directors (NCSSD), digs into establishing a feeling of safety in schools, including the four elements that lead to greater school security. 

Additional Resources
Read more from Melinda Heikkinen about protest and activism responses at Saint Louis University in her article here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/05/mass-protests/campus-protest-slu/ 

Interested in reading the Clock Tower Accords from SLU? They are available online here: https://www.slu.edu/diversity/occupy-slu/clock-tower-accords/index.php 

If your organization or employees are likely to participate in any marches, rallies, or activism activities, it could benefit you to establish and send a rules of engagement document. Check out a template here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/05/mass-protests/rules-of-engagement-document/ 

Worried about vandalism or graffiti during protests? Read guidance from the International Facility Management Association: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/05/mass-protests/graffiti-protocols/ 

Read more from Jason Stoddard about the four free elements that make the difference in school safety and security here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/04/k12/school-safety-directors/ 

Want to hear from other school stakeholders about where their work overlaps with security? Check out the Security Management collection: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/04/k12/ 

Learn about the National Council on School Safety Directors online: https://www.zeronow.org/ncssd 


Mission-Critical Partnerships in Protest Preparedness and Schools

Brandon Payne, executive director for the National Council on School Facilities, joins this month’s episode of Security Management Highlights to discuss how to integrate security and safety into school facility planning and funding during both retrofits and new builds. Then, Kevin Jones, CPP, PCI, addresses key considerations for arming security professionals, from legal liability to insurance to continuous training. 

Additional Resources
Read more from Brandon Payne about school facility management and where security and safety fit in here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/04/k12/school-facilities-managers/ 

Meet many of the other essential partners in school safety and security in this Security Management series: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/04/k12/ 

Want to help drive school security forward? Keep an eye out for the forthcoming ASIS International School Security Standard. Learn more here: https://www.asisonline.org/publications--resources/news/blog/2024/press-briefing-school-security-standard/ 

Read more about arming security teams in the June issue of Security Technology: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2025/june/ 

Hear more from Kevin Jones, CPP, PCI, in his latest article about considerations for selecting the right weapons for security: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2025/june/how-to-make-a-weapon-selection-when-arming-your-security-team/  


Is Security Well-Positioned to Influence Decisions Around School System Funding and Arming Guards?

Does your EP program account for cultural sensitivities, legal shortcomings, and evolving conditions? In this episode of the SM Highlights podcast, Jessica Ansley explains how cultural awareness can make all the difference in harmonious low-profile travel security and executive protection. Then, lawyer Timothy Sini outlines the limitations across U.S. states around protective orders and proactive legal action. But how can you cope with the unknown? Chuck Randolph debates priorities and requirements in EP and risk management. 

Additional Resources
For more about executive protection for female VIPs, read the latest from Security Management: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/06/executive-protection/ 

Learn about cross-jurisdictional differences and limitations in orders of protection and how they affect executive protection here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/06/executive-protection/orders-of-protection/ 

Interested in travel security skills? Check out this issue on the topic: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2025/april/ 

Stalking can span across physical and digital realms, and it is increasingly converging: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/06/executive-protection/fast-facts/ 

Speaking of convergence, EP risks smash silos, too. https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/07/convergence/emerging-technology-asymmetric-threats/ 

Learn how to write better incident reports to document patterns of concerning behavior here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/01/incident-reports/
 
Narrative and reputational security has gotten more complicated with the advent of deepfakes and generative AI: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/06/deepfakes/ 


Executive Protection Evolves in Challenging Times

This month’s Security Management Highlights episode features three compelling conversations with industry experts, starting with a chat with Ontic’s Cynthia Marble about a new step on the pathway to violence—step zero—and how it provides an even earlier opportunity to prevent escalation, if you’re paying attention. Then, Jeff Krull from Baker Tilly outlines some of the risk management challenges when an organization swiftly switches third-party partners and vendors and how cybersecurity professionals can step in. Lastly, Sean Spence, APP, at AON Corporation takes us outdoors to talk about scalable and adaptable security at events. 


Additional Resources
What are the steps on the pathway to violence? Watch this video from Security Management to learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=job8p3x4uEw&list=PLEIon2_1tJwVHbHlEnyMgNjdMnm0xO_vP&index=67 

The U.S. Secret Service’s Exceptional Case Study Project is available here: https://nij.ojp.gov/library/publications/preventing-assassination-secret-service-exceptional-case-study-project 

Want to learn more from Jeff Krull about cybersecurity and vendor management? Read his article here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2025/august/shifting-battleground-of-cybersecurity-risk-management-for-manufacturers/ 

For more about manufacturing security, read the latest issue of Security Technology: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2025/august/ 

Having trouble connecting with executives about risk management? Try some of the guidance from Security Management’s coverage about metrics and connecting with stakeholders: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/03/metrics/ 

Learn more about securing outdoor events, concerts, and festivals in Security Management’s July coverage: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/07/concerts/ 

Sean Spence outlined the four distinct categories of live events in his Security Management article here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/07/concerts/live-event-risk-management/ 

Read about the dangers of extreme weather and temperatures on security here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2025/05/extreme-temperatures/ 


A New Step on the Pathway to Violence, Plus Outdoor Security and Vendor Cybersecurity Management

Security Management Highlights brings the security professional expert interviews and information on the most critical industry topics. Join host Brendan Howard as he interviews thought leaders and industry professionals, as well as editors from the magazine.

A New Step on the Pathway to Violence, Plus Outdoor Security and Vendor Cybersecurity Management

Security Management

Related tracks