Security Industry Association Announces 2023 Women in Security Forum Scholarship Opportunity -- Security Today

Security Industry Association Announces 2023 Women in Security Forum Scholarship Opportunity

By Kara Klein
Jul 17, 2023

The Security Industry Association (SIA) is now accepting applications for the 2023 SIA Women in Security Forum (WISF) Scholarship, an initiative led by the SIA Women in Security Forum. The 2023 program will offer multiple scholarships worth $7,500 each that SIA members and students can use toward professional development and education.

SIA’s Women in Security Forum is a community for both women and men that works to promote, recruit and cultivate the leadership of women for a more inclusive and diversified industry. The WISF Scholarship program was created to further educational opportunities for the widest spectrum of people and empower all to join the SIA Women in Security Forum and thrive in the security industry.

“Financing your professional future, whether as a young person starting or someone coming of age with a career change, should not roadblock your potential. The SIA WISF Scholarship program alleviates the financial burden to enable SIA student members, WISF members and employees of SIA member companies to access education and skills training,” said SIA Women in Security Forum Chair Alice DiSanto. “Right-fitting for the in-demand security-related careers is a win-win that fills the industry’s talent shortage. WISF is grateful to provide this to the most worthy applicants. Special thanks to the donor organizations and the handiwork of Martha Entwistle, WISF’s scholarship chairperson.”

“The SIA Women in Security Forum Scholarship program, an essential piece of SIA’s workforce development efforts, fosters diversity, equity and inclusion in our industry and helps to grow the security talent pipeline,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson. “We are proud to present this scholarship for the fourth consecutive year and look forward to helping the 2023 honorees achieve their goals through access to critical support, training, education and professional development.”

Scholarship funds may be used toward:

Registration for SIA education or certification programs and/or conferences
Repayment of student loan debt
Registration for other industry education and certification programs
Tuition for courses that will lead to completion of accredited trade, vocational or academic degree programs related to the security industry
Registration for industry online learning programs

In 2022, SIA awarded $70,000 in scholarships through the WISF Scholarship program to SIA members and student members across the industry.

This program is made possible by the generous donations of SIA members and SIA member companies. The WISF Scholarship Committee is currently seeking donors for the 2023 scholarship. Please visit the scholarship page for more information. Industry leaders who have already donated to the 2023 scholarship program include:

Axis Communications
Security-Net
Eagle Eye Networks

SIA also thanks media affiliates Security Today, SDM, Security Business, SecurityInfoWatch and Security Technology Executive for their support.

“Being chosen as one of the recipients of the 2022 WISF Scholarship was a tremendous professional highlight for me. I had no idea when I started in this industry five years ago that I would be afforded with such amazing opportunities,” said Tia Eskandari, director of service, Southwest, at Allied Universal Technology Services and a 2022 scholarship recipient. “As part of my scholarship I have completed the Prosci Certified Change Practitioner Program and the Yale Women’s Leadership Course and attended several industry conferences and will finish the year with a certification exam. Thank you again to the Women in Security Forum for this opportunity. It has changed the trajectory of my career, and for that I will be eternally grateful.”

SIA is currently accepting donations from SIA member companies and individual members to help support the 2023 WISF Scholarship. If you are interested in making a donation to support the program, please visit the scholarship page for more information.

In addition to this scholarship, the SIA Women in Security Forum offers a number of key programs and activities, including the SIA Progress Award, which celebrates individuals who advance opportunities for women in the security industry; the WISF Power 100, an annual initiative showcasing 100 women who are role models, leaders, innovators and influencers in global security; top-quality keynote and breakfast events at ISC West and East; co-leadership of the Security LeadHER conference in partnership with ASIS International; volunteer efforts that give back to the community; collaborative projects with other organizations that seek to empower women in the security and technology fields; sponsorship of the SIA Women in Biometrics Awards program; thought leadership and speaking opportunities; and engaging networking and professional growth events.

Participation in the SIA Women in Security Forum is open to all employees of SIA member companies; learn more and get involved.

Each applicant for the SIA Women in Security Forum Scholarship must be either 1) a SIA student member or 2) a member of the SIA Women in Security Forum and an employee of a SIA member company. Applications for the 2023 SIA Women in Security Forum Scholarship must be submitted by Friday, Aug. 18, and winners will be announced in September. Learn more about the program and apply here.

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