BY JOEL GRIFFIN AND PAUL ROTHMAN ON JAN 24, 2018, SecurityInfoWatch
Last month, ASIS International announced that it would be changing the name of its flagship annual security conference from the ASIS Annual Seminar and Exhibits to the Global Security Exchange (GSX). The name change is intended to reflect the ongoing shift that is occurring both inside the organization and the industry as a whole, which has gone from being the sole domain of those who manage physical security programs and internal investigation teams to comprising IT specialists and others from a wide range of security and safety disciplines.
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This shift has subsequently forced ASIS and other industry associations to re-examine the value they deliver to their members and broaden their scope beyond the traditional purview of physical security. The roles of chief security officers (CSOs) and chief information security officers (CISOs) have become increasingly blurry in recent years as professionals in each of these roles have begun to take on the responsibilities of the other – CSOs being leaned on more heavily by corporate boards for guidance in the cyber realm while CISOs have been charged with deploying IP-based physical security systems.
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The person tapped with helping ASIS adapt and thrive during this industry sea change is Peter J. O’Neil, who joined the organization just a little over two years ago as its new CEO. Although O’Neil doesn’t have a background in security, he has an extensive history in helping to guide associations in a variety of industries, including education, certification, publishing, and marketing. Prior to joining ASIS, O’Neil spent eight years as the CEO of the American Industrial Hygiene Association. His career also includes stints at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the Produce Marketing Association and the National Association of Home Builders.
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We recently caught up with O’Neil to discuss what he sees as the biggest challenges facing security practitioners moving forward, what ASIS is doing to keep its members up to date on the latest industry best practices and how the society must continue to evolve with the times.
Q: What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges facing security practitioners currently from a physical security perspective and what is ASIS doing to help address them?
O’Neil: The challenges have never been greater or more complex. The tactics of terrorists and cybercriminals continue to evolve while specific threats continue to arise in various industry sectors such as healthcare, educational institutions, and even houses of worship. But I think the most challenging physical security risks are protecting open environments. In addition to the educational materials—magazine articles, webinars, white papers, and live events—offered by ASIS, the organization’s chapters and councils provide security practitioners with the opportunity to learn from their peers. For example, our Cultural Properties Council has provided a wealth of information including white papers, webinars, and suggested best practices for Houses of Worship across the globe to prepare and respond to security threats. Information sharing is critical, and so we partner with organizations like InfraGard, OSAC, CANASA, and ISSA to share insights and best practices, as well as to broaden our reach in communities across the globe.
