Open Security Exchange Appoints Ron Martin as Executive Director

The Open Security Exchange, a not-for-profit association of security experts, recently announced the appointment of Ron Martin, CPP as Executive Director.  In this role, Mr. Martin will lead the team of experts providing a forum for security firms, consultants, end-users, government agencies, manufacturers, system integrators and allied organizations to mutually define opportunities for physical/ logical convergence and interoperability.

Founded in 2003, the Open Security Exchange was created to address today’s most significant security challenge: the lack of integration between various components of the security infrastructure. The Open Security Exchange is a mcross-industry forum dedicated to delivering vendor-neutral interoperability specifications and best practices guidelines in the area of security, management. This enables practitioners to more efficiently mitigate risk, optimize their security postures and enforce privacy policies.

Ron Martin, CPP is the sole proprietor of Consullition, a Washington D.C.-based security consultancy that provides business strategy and consulting services for a broad client base.  The organization focuses on business process and analysis, management strategies, enterprise architecture, security convergence integration along with Identity, Credentialing and Access Management (ICAM) programs.

“I am very pleased to be working with such a strong group of industry leaders regarding the converging worlds of physical and logical security,” said Mr. Martin.  “With our continued focus on this ever-evolving space, the Open Security Exchange offers our members an opportunity to shape and impact the future of physical and IT security convergence.”

As Executive Director of the Open Security Exchange, the focus of Mr. Martin's efforts will be on both research and mentorship.  With numerous career opportunities driven by the converging worlds of logical and physical security, the Open Security Exchange will concentrate on the development of the new wave of emerging security professionals.

Recently retired from the U.S. Federal Government after 40 years of service, Mr. Martin served as a physical security expert for the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Security and Strategic Information and was responsible for the development, coordination, direction and assessment of nationwide physical security and identity management programs. These duties included providing physical security subject matter expertise to the National Institute for Standards and Technology.

Mr. Martin is also in the final development of an identity, credentialing and access management curriculum for Capitol-College, located in Laurel, Maryland. The identity, credential and access management program will provide organizations with a consolidated approach for implementing secure identity initiatives. The use of these techniques will assist with secure interoperability across organizations.

“We are especially excited to have someone of Ron’s pedigree join the Open Security Exchange,” added Laurie Aaron, Chairman of the Open Security Exchange.  His subject matter expertise is a welcome addition to this forum that is dedicated to growing and shaping our industry for years to come.”

Ms. Aaron, Vice President of Government and Alliances for Quantum Secure, has been in a leadership role with the Open Security Exchange for the past three years.  She will continue on as Chairman of the Board until December 2011, at which time the organization will conduct a vote for new Board members. As past Chairman, Ms. Aaron will continue to support and participate for a minimum of 12 months to ensure a smooth transition assist Mr. Martin and his new Board in moving their key initiatives forward.

Another key member of the Open Security Exchange is John Szczygiel, Executive Vice President of Business Development for Brivo Systems.  Mr. Szczygiel is a well-respected expert in the field, with more than 25 years of experience in the security industry, including executive positions within global manufacturing and systems integration companies.  Mr. Szczygiel has served the role of Secretary/Treasurer for the past three years and will continue to participate in the OSE as requested by the new Board.

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