NCS4 Hosts Successful National Intercollegiate Athletics Safety and Security Forum at Duke University

The National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS⁴) at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) hosted the National Intercollegiate Athletics Safety and Security Forum at Duke University Jan. 28-29. More than 150 safety and security professionals from across the country representing all areas of Intercollegiate Athletics attended the sold-out Forum.

The highly anticipated event brought together collegiate athletics, security, emergency management, and emergency medical leaders to address pressing challenges and share innovative solutions for ensuring safe environments in intercollegiate sports.

“The NCS4 works closely with the Intercollegiate Athletics Advisory Committee to drive meaningful content that is important and relevant to intercollegiate athletics programs. We were excited to bring leaders in from universities nationwide for a sold-out event,” said Lauren Cranford, NCS4 director of operations. “The forum also helps us collect pertinent information to update the NCS4 Best Practices that are available as a free resource to industry practitioners.”

The Forum featured dynamic keynote speakers, expert panel discussions and moderated discussions to review the NCS4 Best Practices for Intercollegiate Athletics. Topics included:

  • Extreme Weather Preparedness
  • Crowd Management and Control
  • Communications
  • Event Staff Management
  • Perimeter Security and Access Control
  • Incident Reporting and Documentation

General sessions covered effective procedures for medical emergencies, addressing unique security challenges of collegiate venues, building teams for operational success, evolving as a leader, and campus security and First Amendment rights in balancing protests.

"Attending the NCS4 Intercollegiate Forum is more than just an event—it's an opportunity to connect, learn and lead in the evolving world of sports safety and security,” said Joe Monroe, CSSP, University of Kentucky chief of police and NCS4 National Advisory Board member. “From networking with industry experts and colleagues to gaining cutting-edge insights, the benefits extend far beyond the forum, equipping attendees with the knowledge and connections needed to shape the future of intercollegiate sports security."

The Forum would not be possible without the center’s Solution Partners. Special thanks were given to Presenting Partners: Assa Abloy and BEST Crowd Management Inc.; Reception Partners: CSA360 Software and Guidepost Solutions; and Signature Partners: Accredit Solutions, AeroDefense, AirSight Inc., CEIA USA, Concentric Security, SafeZone by CriticalArc, Flying Aces Enterprises and Consulting LLC, Hanwha Vision, MCA, Meridian Rapid Defense Group, North American Rescue, Rave Mobile Safety – a Motorola Solutions company, SkySafe and Veoci.

The National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition will be held June 30 – July 2, 2025, at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort in San Antonio, TX. The conference will attract over 500 attendees and 70 exhibitors representing professional sports, intercollegiate athletics, interscholastic athletics, marathon and endurance events, sports and entertainment facilities, and those who provide safety and security products and services to the industry.

Featured

  • Evolving Cybersecurity Strategies: Uniting Human Risk Management and Security Awareness Training

    Organizations are increasingly turning their attention to human-focused security approaches, as two out of three (68%) cybersecurity incidents involve people. Threat actors are shifting from targeting networks and systems to hacking humans via social engineering methods, living off human errors as their most prevalent attack vector. Whether manipulated or not, human cyber behavior is leveraged to gain backdoor access into systems. This mainly results from a lack of employee training and awareness about evolving attack techniques employed by malign actors. Read Now

  • Report: 1 in 3 Easily Exploitable Vulnerabilities Found on Cloud Assets

    CyCognito recently released new research highlighting critical security vulnerabilities across cloud-hosted assets, revealing that one in three easily exploitable vulnerabilities or misconfigurations are found on cloud assets. As organizations increasingly shift to multi-cloud strategies, the findings underscore significant security gaps that could provide attackers with potential footholds into networks. Read Now

  • Built for Today, Ready for Tomorrow

    Selecting the right VMS is critical for any organization that depends on video surveillance to ensure safety, security and operational efficiency. While many organizations focus on immediate needs such as budget and deployment size, let us review some of the long-term considerations that can significantly impact a VMS's utility and flexibility. Read Now

  • Paving the Way to Smart Buildings

    In today's rapidly evolving security landscape, the convergence of on-prem, edge and cloud technologies are critical. The physical security landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the rapid digitalization of buildings and the evolving needs of modern organizations. As the buildings sector pivots towards smart, AI and data-driven operations, the integration of both edge and cloud technology has become crucial. Read Now

  • The Cybersecurity Time Bomb

    If you work in physical security, you have probably seen it: a camera, access control system, or intrusion detection device installed years ago, humming along without a single update. It is a common scenario that security professionals have come to accept as "normal." But here is the reality: this mindset is actively putting organizations at risk. Read Now

New Products

  • 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

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.

  • 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.