Security Industry Association Launches Retail Security Advisory Board

  • Aug 12, 2025

The Security Industry Association (SIA) has announced the creation of a new Retail Security Advisory Board and opened a call for SIA member volunteers to join. The expert-led group will advise the association and the SIA Board of Directors on key retail security topics, work to expand SIA’s influence and expertise in this area and advance members’ learning.

Planned initiatives for the Retail Security Advisory Board include:

  • Developing retail security resources and best practices
  • Fostering collaboration between suppliers and retail security practitioners
  • Providing end-user thought leadership feedback on emerging technologies and related education and use cases
  • Supporting interoperability and the development of open security standards
  • Developing webinars, white papers, fact sheets and conference content
  • Partnering with key retail and security stakeholders
  • The advisory board will be led by chair Mike Dunn of Wachter and vice chair Brit Hehn of Gap.

Mike Dunn, strategic innovation and business development at Wachter, is an expert in physical security, with a career spanning over 20 years in computer technology, networking, IP video and access control. He is a valued leader at Wachter and part of the business development team. Prior to joining Wachter, Dunn was the chief technology officer at Prosegur, where he was instrumental in driving and executing innovative solutions that cultivated revenue through customer success. A contributor to his success is an open-platform approach to technology and partnering with best-in-class solution providers to maximize the best options for customer outcomes. As a trusted resource, Dunn leverages his expertise to prioritize customized technology solutions that are transformative to meet each client’s unique needs.

“This new advisory board provides a vital platform to unite retailers, integrators and technology providers around common goals. By fostering collaboration across the retail and security industries, we can advance best practices, explore emerging technologies and build partnerships with leading retail organizations that will help us create lasting impact for retailers everywhere,” said Dunn. “I’m honored to serve as chair and look forward to working with this group to drive practical solutions that strengthen retail security today and in the years ahead.”

Brit Hehn, vice chair, SIA Retail Security Advisory Board

Brit Hehn, asset protection director, stores protection, West Zone, at Gap, works with her team to support the 750 most west Gap Inc. stores (Old Navy, Gap, Banana Repulic and Athleta) and serves as the asset protection brand leader for Athleta. She has been with Gap for 23 years, with 10 spent leading asset protection operations for the Old Navy brand, where she led AP technology, budgets, AP reporting, AP programs, communication and awareness and strategy, supported Old Navy’s entrance into Mexico in 2015 and led AP field efforts until the business was franchised in 2022. Hehn is a results-driven leader who loves to collaborate to solve challenging business problems, and she and her team are committed to protecting people, assets and experiences and ensuring Gap is the safest place to work and shop.

SIA is looking for members and industry leaders to join the Retail Security Advisory Board. Eligible participants include retail members of SIA’s SPARC community, retail loss prevention and asset protection professionals, security technology manufacturers and integrators, video surveillance and analytics providers, access control and RFID solution companies and retail operations and facility managers. If you are interested in participating, please contact SIA CEO Don Erickson at [email protected].

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

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.