Have you ever gotten that 11th hour phone call, where security is brought into a challenging firing at the last second? Melissa Muir would like to change that, both by improving relationships between HR and security and by boosting the dignity dynamic of involuntary separations. Then, Rex Lam, CPP, PSP, joins the SM Highlights podcast to discuss security professionals’ hesitation to dive into technical and cybersecurity concepts, and how to start parsing out terminology and concepts. And Security Management Senior Editor Megan Gates drops by to discuss current trends in organized retail crime and what they mean for security professionals worldwide. 

Additional Resources
Looking for cybersecurity education resources? 
•	Find resources from across ASIS International on our Cybersecurity Awareness Month page: https://www.asisonline.org/publications--resources/security-topics/cybersecurity/ 
•	Visit Security Management’s cybersecurity topic page: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/Topics/cybersecurity/ 
•	Rex Lam, CPP, PSP, presented an ASIS Learning webinar putting information security in comprehensive and simple terms. Watch it on demand here: https://store.asisonline.org/information-security-in-comprehensive-but-simple-terms.html 
•	ASIS members can join the IT Security Community via ASIS Connects here: https://community.asisonline.org/subjectareahome?CommunityKey=3525a45f-6d07-40ac-887e-10b73d2b67d3 
For more about organized crime, including organized retail crime, peruse the October 2023 issue of Security Technology: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2023/october/ 
Check in later in October to learn more about how to conduct safer, more positive involuntary separations.

October 2023: From Ex-Employee to Alumni; Cyber vs. IT; How Retail Crime Gets Organized

Is the balance between soft skills and technical skills right in security? Kevin Jones, CPP, shares his perspective about how practicing soft skills like effective communication can reap rewards for security managers and early career professionals. Anders Noyes, CPP, shares how curiosity and soft skills can drive your career growth long-term. And Bill Edwards, CPP, PCI, explains how uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) are being used on the battlefield and how those applications are jumping over into the commercial security space. 

Additional Resources
Learn how to apply crisis negotiation lessons to workplace communication in this article from Kevin Jones, CPP: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2023/11/soft-skills/communication-lessons-crisis-negotiator/ 
Read more about soft skills that CSOs and security leaders use daily in Security Management’s content collection here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2023/11/soft-skills/ 
Learn about drone uses and threats today: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2023/05/uncrewed-aerial-systems/ 
Learn about security at mass events: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2023/09/marathon-and-mass-event-security/ 
Read guidance from Bill Edwards, CPP, PCI, on how to set up a security plan for the air domain on the ASIS Blog: https://www.asisonline.org/publications--resources/news/blog/2023/building-the-air-domain-into-your-security-prorgram/

November 2023: Soft Skills and Technical Threats, From Communication to Drones

National security policy researcher Peter Raymond shares how China’s global technology influence—especially on social media—is changing risk equations for private organizations and governments worldwide. Also in this month’s SM Highlights podcast, Bud Miller, CPP, explains how coupon fraud has gotten more sophisticated and what that means for retailers, especially in the holiday shopping season. Then, Tim Sutton, CPP, PCI, PSP, introduces listeners to an upcoming ASIS Standard about cannabis security. 

Additional Resources
•	Read more from Peter Raymond about Chinese social media platforms and the battle for influence: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2023/december/Chinese-Platforms-TikTok-Tip-Off-Shore-Iceberg/ 
•	How prevalent is coupon fraud? Read this 2022 article from Security Management: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2022/01/paper-trails-tracking-coupon-fraudsters/ 
•	What about organized retail crime? Learn more about this model here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2023/october/Diving-Beyond-Boosters-into-Organized-Retail-Crime-Rings/ 
•	Discover ASIS Standards & Guidelines online here: https://www.asisonline.org/publications--resources/standards--guidelines/

December 2023: China, Coupons, and Cannabis—Emerging Risks and Resources

As the New Year kicks off, the volume and complexity of global threats and geopolitics can feel daunting. RC Miles, CPP, offers some guidance on how to gather more actionable, efficient, and ethical intelligence. Victoria Ogbuehi, CPP, PCI, summarizes some of the leading terrorism and extremism groups worldwide right now and what threats they pose to multinational organizations. Amid all these stressors, mental health and care is even more important than ever. At Yale University, a facility dog named Heidi (and her handler, Yale Police Officer Rich Simons) comforts students and crime victims in times of trouble. 

Additional Resources
Read more from RC Miles, CPP, about actionable intelligence to address extremism in his SM article here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/01/extremism/intelligence-to-address-extremism/ 
Victoria Ogbuehi, CPP, PCI, outlines her six golden rules for redefining counterterrorism priorities in her article here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/01/extremism/golden-rules-redefining-counterterrorism/ 
For more about extremism and political instability overall, visit the January 2024 Security Management topic: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/01/extremism/ 
Learn more about Heidi, the Yale University facility dog, on her Instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/officer_heidi_yalepd/

January 2024: Ethics in Intelligence; Global Terrorism Threats; Comfort from K9s

The United States has been affected by hundreds of thousands of opioid-related overdose deaths in recent decades, with profound effects on communities. Now, first responders and civilians have access to a simple medication that can help rescue people experiencing an opioid overdose; security professionals need to be prepared to use it, says David Vialpando, CPP. Also in this podcast episode, ASIS Europe presenter Hans Verdoodt explains how his security team handled a climate activist protest at an energy company construction site in Belgium. Then, former U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection Brian Harrell discusses how critical infrastructure organizations are improving their ability to anticipate threats against assets and services.

Additional Resources
Read more from David Vialpando, CPP, on naloxone use and policy development here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/01/how-to-establish-a-policy-for-using-naloxone-a-lifesaving-tool/ 

Access the Law Enforcement Naloxone Toolkit from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance here: https://bjatta.bja.ojp.gov/tools/naloxone/Naloxone-Background 

Learn more about ASIS Europe, including Hans Verdoodt’s session on climate protests, here: https://asiseurope.org/ 

For more information on climate activism and where it can overlap with extremism, read Security Management’s coverage here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/01/extremism/dark-green-ideologies/ 

Interested in electric grid security? Check out the February 2024 issue of Security Technology here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2024/february/ 

Read more from Brian Harrell in his article, coauthored with Michael Gips, CPP, here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2024/february/girding-the-grid/

February 2024: Ready for Naloxone? Plus, Protest Prep and Big Picture Risks to the Electric Grid

Wondering where to start with cybersecurity management? For the past 10 years, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework has been an essential guiding document. Now, NIST released a revamped version of the CSF. Security Management Senior Editor Megan Gates explains what changes this new edition of the gold standard for cybersecurity best practices brings for security practitioners worldwide. Also in this episode, school psychologist Amy Lowder discusses how students’ behavior and related threat assessments have changed in K-12 schools since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Additional Resources
NIST Cybersecurity Framework: https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework 
More on cybersecurity from Security Management: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/Topics/cybersecurity/ 
Read more about school security and early intervention here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/03/schools/ 
Learn about adapting behavioral threat assessment to students’ developmental stages: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/03/schools/weighing-development-k12-risk-assessment/ 
Learn how Amy Lowder and Cabarrus Schools are changing behavioral threat assessments: https://www.wral.com/story/nc-schools-adding-threat-assessment-teams-amid-concerns-about-student-safety/21253173/ 
Read best practices about leveraging school resource officers through NASRO: https://www.nasro.org/clientuploads/NASRO_BestPractices21.pdf

March 2024: The Next Evolution of Cyber Guidance, Plus How COVID Changed K-12 Behavioral Assessments

With brand new legislation out of the European Union shaking up artificial intelligence (AI) applications, what does this mean for security practitioners and companies? Mark Mullison, chief technology officer at Allied Universal, helps podcast host Brendan Howard wade through the new territory. Also in this episode, sponsored by BeamUP, David Harris outlines some of the opportunities that AI could present to physical security professionals—if it finally gets effectively leveraged. And lastly, Jennifer Hesterman shares how organizations can harden soft targets without turning off potential customers or patrons, with concentric rings of security out from the front door to the Internet. 

Additional Resources
Visit our episode sponsor, BeamUP, here: https://www.beamup.ai/ 
Learn more about current applications of AI within security in the April issue of Security Technology here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2024/april/ 
Want to explore the EU AI Act’s potential impact on the security industry? Read new analysis from Megan Gates: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2024/april/Understanding-the-EU-AI-Act/ 
More interested in soft targets and site hardening? Check out Security Management’s March topic: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/03/site-hardening/ 
Read about the shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/latest-news/today-in-security/2024/february/kc-chiefs-superbowl-parade-shooting/ 
Get more guidance from Jennifer Hesterman in her 2021 article about layered facility security: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/latest-news/online-exclusives/2021/developing-a-layered-defense/ 
Read Jennifer Hesterman’s book, Soft Target Hardening: Protecting People from Attack, here: https://www.routledge.com/Soft-Target-Hardening-Protecting-People-from-Attack/Hesterman/p/book/9781138391109 
Can security really be beautiful? Sure! Check out our summary from a 2020 GSX session for examples: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2020/gsx-show-daily-2020/Artwork-as-Security-Enhancement/ or check out CPTED examples around Washington, DC, in this 2019 SM article: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2019/10/improving-accessibility-and-security-through-cpted/

April 2024: Meeting the Moment with AI; Plus Fighting Complacency with Ongoing Security Hardening

What if museum security personnel were also approachable, friendly, and able to answer questions about the art? Doug Beaver, CPP, from the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C., walks SM Highlights host Brendan Howard through his concierge security program. But what if your workplace is anything but friendly and approachable? Sarah J. Powell explains what toxic workplaces are and what you can do about them. And finally, Steven Langton, director of safety and security at the Columbus Zoo, explains some of the risks, challenges, and surprises of managing security at a major zoo, including a major campuswide rekeying project. 

Additional Resources
Read more about concierge security in museums in this recent article from Security Management: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/04/concierge/the-art-of-concierge-guarding/ 

Interested in concierge security skills? Check out the full collection of SM content here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/04/concierge/ 

Want to experience this guarding model for yourself? The National Museum of Women in the Arts is open for visitors in Washington, D.C.: https://nmwa.org/ 

Read the Wall Street Journal op-ed from psychiatrist Dr. Samantha Boardman about labeling people as toxic here: https://drsamanthaboardman.substack.com/p/the-problem-with-labeling-people 

How have toxic workplaces affected the Great Resignation? Read more in this coverage in the MID Sloan Management Review: https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/toxic-culture-is-driving-the-great-resignation/

Read more from Sarah J. Powell about when and how to get out of a toxic workplace here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/05/toxic-workplaces/is-your-workplace-toxic/

For more about managing workplaces and culture in Security Management’s package of content on toxic workplaces here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/05/toxic-workplaces/ 
 
Interested in emergency management at zoos and cultural properties? Check out this 2022 Security Management case study with the Denver Zoo: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2022/11/helping-the-herd-denver-zoo-conducts-first-full-scale-active-shooter-drill/ 

Stay tuned for more zoo security coverage later in May 2024.

May 2024: Friendlier Security, Nastier Workplaces, and Surprising Zoo Security

Summer 2024 is a busy one for security professionals in Europe, with the Olympics kicking off next month in France. Harry Arruda joins this SM Highlights episode to explain how traditional concentric circles of protection around event venues become extra complicated when set in the midst of residences, businesses, and pedestrian zones in Paris. Then, former FBI agent Jin Kim shares some key takeaways from his career of research into active assailants and workplace violence, including around technology, training, and culture.

Additional Resources

Read more about sports security in the latest edition of Security Technology here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2024/june/ 

Harry Arruda explains the close protection challenges in Olympic security here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2024/june/safeguarding-the-2024-olympics/ 

How are organizations managing drone threats or leveraging drones in and around events? Read Security Management’s past coverage here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2023/05/uncrewed-aerial-systems/ 

Read more about soft target protection and site hardening here: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/03/site-hardening/ 

Want to learn more about gunshot and audio detection for active assailant response? Check out SM’s interview with Jin Kim online: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/articles/2024/05/audio/gunshot-detection/

June 2024: Preparing for Major Events, from Olympics to Active Assailant Events

What opportunities and risks does artificial intelligence (AI) present to the security profession? In this special episode of SM Highlights, Brendan Howard speaks with two researchers behind Artificial Intelligence and Security: Opportunities and Implications, a report published in 2021 by the ASIS Foundation. Join us to break down the differences between narrow, broad, and general AI, and explore what AI-enabled applications mean for security teams and technology. 

Additional Resources
Learn more about the ASIS Foundation here: https://www.asisonline.org/get-involved/asis-foundation/ 

Join the ASIS Foundation Fitness Challenge: https://www.charityfootprints.com/ASISFit/ 

Read the report, Artificial Intelligence and Security: Opportunities and Implications: https://store.asisonline.org/artificial-intelligence-in-security-opportunities-and-implications.html 

Read more about AI in security in the April 2024 issue of Security Technology: https://www.asisonline.org/security-management-magazine/monthly-issues/security-technology/archive/2024/april/

Bonus: What AI Means for Security Professionals

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.

March 2024: The Next Evolution of Cyber Guidance, Plus How COVID Changed K-12 Behavioral Assessments

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