Tags: GSX 2019

GSX opens with over 550 exhibitors and innovative Disruption District

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ASIS International, the world’s largest association for security management professionals, has opened the show floor at Global Security Exchange (GSX) 2019—unleashing attendees to visit 550+ exhibitors displaying the latest technologies, services and solutions for professional security applications.

One show floor highlight was the new GSX Disruption District, the nexus point for innovation within the security industry. This exciting feature area includes cutting edge technologies, startup company displays, investment pitches and demonstrations of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), counter UAS systems and ground-based robots interacting with humans. With attendees from more than 130 nations, GSX 2019 is delivering an unmatched forum for education and networking in support of strengthening the professionalism and effectiveness of security professionals on the global stage.

Tuesday’s General Session speaker, Steve Demetriou, Chair and CEO, Jacobs, spoke on bold solutions for changing times. “Today, more than half the world’s population lives in urban environments and more than 3 million people are moving into urban environments every week,” he declared. Jacobs is one of the world’s premier design, engineering, construction and technical services firms, with more than 80,000 employees worldwide and revenues exceeding US$15bn annually.

With a focus on sustainability, Demetriou pointed out that this global trend will challenge cities to increase the capacity of water and other necessary systems. ‘Big data’ is one factor he identified that can help cities direct investments where they will make the most positive impact and help achieve future urban environments that are “smart, connected and secure.”

Educational sessions continued with a wealth of relevant global safety and security topics, including workplace violence, emergency operations plans, critical infrastructure resilience, cyber threats faced by government, corporations and citizens, women in security, online and social media investigation and more.

For example, an in-depth session on cybersecurity reviewed the primary phases of the cyberattack life cycle, starting with the initial target contact using social engineering and tracing it through the establishment of a persistent undetected presence. Ashton Mozano, Cryptological Warfare Officer, US Navy Reserve, told the audience that new, more powerful machine learning and control systems are quickly moving us toward new kinds of threats. He explained that we are very near the time when someone will get a call from their self-driving car demanding approval for an electronic funds transfer or the car will be hijacked—marking a new era of cyber hacking meeting autonomous vehicle terrorism.

UAS and counter UAS systems remain a current hot topic, both in terms of technology and in terms of strategy. GSX education sessions in the D3 Learning Theatre on the topic range from the introductory level “Drones 101” to advanced topics in using UAS as force multipliers to augment traditional security solutions.

The GSX education lineup also included a full set of management and policy-related sessions. In a session on Crisis Management, Bruce Blythe, Chairman of R3 Continuum, presented a framework for crisis team management. “During a crisis, you are in a situation with harsh consequences, incomplete information and enormous pressure to take action,” he said. “Having a framework for managing the necessary actions helps align the team and provides focus on the critical decisions.”

In a session on Human Trafficking, Michael Haggard, Managing Partner of The Haggard Law Firm, described how every property owner and business owner, particularly those involved with hotels, motels and rental properties, should be aware of their responsibilities. “When you are in control of the property, you are responsible for what happens on the premises,” he warned the audience. “Today, it is easier than ever to traffic undocumented people—because they are reluctant to go to the authorities. But show me a motel manager that could not have missed 20 visitors a day going to a rented room and I will show you a very easy court case.”

In a session on lessons learned from recent school massacres, Dr. Randy Atlas, of Atlas Safety and Security Design, told the audience, “Nothing just happens—it is created, promoted or allowed to happen.” Crime prevention through environmental design (otherwise known as CPTED) principles provide guidance for schools to adjust their environment to help reduce the chances of successful attacks. Dr. Atlas pointed out, “the single most common security flaw in schools is unsupervised visitor access—found in more than 30% of all schools. Problems caused by unsupervised visitors are in a sense completely foreseeable and preventable with the implementation of access control.”

Wednesday 11 September marks GSX’s Military & Law Enforcement Appreciation Day—honouring the individuals who make our communities and world a safer place. Four-star General John F. Kelly, U.S. Marine Corps (RET), will headline the general session (8:30 – 10:00 am), and in appreciation for their service, all law enforcement, military and first responders will receive free admission to GSX, including access to General Kelly’s keynote.

Other events for Wednesday 11 September include:

  • Education sessions that will focus on Successful Transitions from the Public to Private Sector, Federal UAS Initiatives, Global Cyber War and US Critical Infrastructure Certification and Building an Effective Insider Threat Program and more.
  • Who is the American Terrorist? (11:00 am – 12:15 pm)
  • GSX Pitch Competition (1:00 pm – 3:00 pm)
  • Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Aids Critical Infrastructure Resilience (2:15 pm – 3:15 pm)
  • The Gap Between School Violence and Security Solutions: What’s Missing (3:45 pm – 4:45 pm)
  • GSX 2019 President’s Reception (7:00 pm -10:00 pm; new location in North Hall of McCormick Place; special performance by 80’s icon Rick Springfield just announced)

For more information, please visit http://www.GSX.org.

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