ASIS 2014 Proves Social Media Works

I understand that parts of the security industry are rather “hush-hush,” and can’t and shouldn’t be discussed openly; however, it seems that the security industry as a whole is coming out of its shell a bit, at least on social media platforms, Twitter in particular.

As most of you know, I am an avid tweeter and quite frankly, I love it. It’s amazing to connect with people from all over the globe who I may have never gotten the chance to meet. And, as I walked around the ASIS 2014 showroom floor, I was happy to see a large number of security professionals tweeting, some for the first time ever.

Some companies were tweeting about their new products while others were taking pictures of their booth and tweeting it for the world to see. Still others were tweeting selfies with their company’s hashtag attached. All of these strategies, extremely effective; however, one strategy stood out to me: tweeting directly to journalists, inviting them to their booth.

I received several tweets from companies using my twitter handle (@GingerHill13) personally inviting me to come by their booth to check out their new products or even grab some free swag and rest for a bit. (By the way, a booth with fluffy carpet and a comfy chair is the BEST thing companies can offer to journalists running around the showroom floor.)

So, why was this strategy so smart?

When you receive a personal invitation, it’s difficult to say no. As companies invited me to come by their booths, I felt a bit obligated to at least stop by and say hi. When I did, I would usually take a picture of the booth or a selfie and tweet this to my followers. The company got exposure to about 10,000 people that they may have never come into contact with between my Twitter followers and Security Today’s Twitter followers.

Don’t be afraid to step out of the box and try something new. Twitter can be overwhelming and a bit scary, just like anything new, but by developing a strategy, this gives you a goal to accomplish which will help drive the types of Tweets you tweet!

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Ransomware Attacks Rise for the First Time in Six Months

    Ransomware attacks have risen for the first time in six months, increasing by 28% month-on-month to 421 attacks. While overall attack volume remained below 500, the uptick may signal a renewed escalation heading into the year’s most active period for cyber criminals. Read Now

  • Report: 47 Percent of Security Service Providers Are Not Yet Using AI or Automation Tools

    Trackforce, a provider of security workforce management platforms, today announced the launch of its 2025 Physical Security Operations Benchmark Report, an industry-first study that benchmarks both private security service providers and corporate security teams side by side. Based on a survey of over 300 security professionals across the globe, the report provides a comprehensive look at the state of physical security operations. Read Now

    • Guard Services
  • Identity Governance at the Crossroads of Complexity and Scale

    Modern enterprises are grappling with an increasing number of identities, both human and machine, across an ever-growing number of systems. They must also deal with increased operational demands, including faster onboarding, more scalable models, and tighter security enforcement. Navigating these ever-growing challenges with speed and accuracy requires a new approach to identity governance that is built for the future enterprise. Read Now

  • Eagle Eye Networks Launches AI Camera Gun Detection

    Eagle Eye Networks, a provider of cloud video surveillance, recently introduced Eagle Eye Gun Detection, a new layer of protection for schools and businesses that works with existing security cameras and infrastructure. Eagle Eye Networks is the first to build gun detection into its platform. Read Now

  • Report: AI is Supercharging Old-School Cybercriminal Tactics

    AI isn’t just transforming how we work. It’s reshaping how cybercriminals attack, with threat actors exploiting AI to mass produce malicious code loaders, steal browser credentials and accelerate cloud attacks, according to a new report from Elastic. Read Now

New Products

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • 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.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.