INDUSTRY FOCUS

Take Nothing for Granted

Contemplating a topic in the industry I have not given space in the last 20 years, I seem to be in a daze. Then I received an email about Women in Security. I dialed up a couple of friends to get their take on what is a relatively new organization.

What once was rare in terms of female editorial contributions are now frequent. I have noticed that Women in Security are among the most brilliant and brightest minds in the industry. Women are equally passionate about today’s solutions and growing technology trends. I am pleased that this month we are publishing several stories contributed from women.

I reached out to a couple of friends and asked for an opinion on this topic. I think you will agree, and I know you will enjoy the contributed stories in Security Today and our Campus Security & Life Safety magazines.

“The high-tech industry includes many intelligent and driven female leaders, and more are entering the market today than ever before. A variety of leadership development, technology education, networking, and mentoring opportunities is critical to realizing the ongoing success of women in the high-tech space but especially in security,” said Rhianna Daniels Hile, chief creative officer at Compass Integrated. “SIA’s Women in Security group helps women make deeper connections, build new skill sets and engage in leadership experiences. It has been rewarding to see this group grow exponentially over the years, and I think it has been a valuable addition to the industry.

Women in Security captures the very essence of progress.

Looking back at my first tradeshow, maybe 21 years ago, there were few if any women attending a male dominated industry. Looking forward, the diversity within the industry is a welcome sight.

Part of the SIA Women in Security mission includes a security forum. The Women in Security Forum is a group for both women and men that offers programs, professional development opportunities and networking events with the goal of supporting the involvement of women in the security community

The mission of the forum is to engage all security professionals to promote, recruit and cultivate the leadership of women for a more inclusive and diversified industry. Another terrific part of this organization is the annual scholarship program. Six recipients received honors this year to further educational opportunities and promote advancement within the industry.

This article originally appeared in the September / October 2021 issue of Security Today.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

Featured

  • The Future is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reason. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. But as the number of cameras grows and resolutions push from HD to 4K and beyond, the cloud’s limits are becoming unavoidable. Bandwidth bottlenecks. Latency lags. Rising storage costs. These are not abstract concerns. Read Now

  • The Impact of Convergence Between IT and Physical Security

    For years, the worlds of physical security and information technology (IT) remained separate. While they shared common goals and interests, they often worked in silos. Read Now

  • Unlocking Trustworthy AI: Building Transparency in Security Governance

    In situations where AI supports important security tasks like leading investigations and detecting threats and anomalies, transparency is essential. When an incident occurs, investigators must trace the logic behind each automated response to confirm its validity or spot errors. Demanding interpretable AI turns opaque “black boxes” into accountable partners that enhance, rather than compromise, organizational defense. Read Now

  • Seeking Innovative Solutions

    Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. You may recognize these terms as the “5 Phases” of a grieving process, but they could easily describe the phases one goes through before adopting any new or emerging innovation or technology, especially in a highly risk-averse industry like security. However, the desire for convenience in all aspects of modern life is finally beginning to turn the tide from old school hardware as the go-to towards more user-friendly, yet still secure, door solutions. Read Now

  • Where AI Meets Human Judgment

    Artificial intelligence is everywhere these days. It is driving business growth, shaping consumer experiences, and showing up in places most of us never imagined just a few years ago. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.