December 2018 ASIS News

In late September, we launched Global Security Exchange (GSX)—formerly known as the Annual Seminar and Exhibits—the industry’s flagship event. The related programs delivered a record-breaking educational lineup alongside a reimagined exhibit hall that was transformed into a multifaceted learning environment. GSX attracted 20,000 registrants from 113 countries, and discussions are already underway for continued enhancements when we take the experience to Chicago in 2019.

A renewed emphasis on digital transformation resulted in the delivery of a completely revamped website containing the “ASIS Connects” private online community, an improved certification portal, and a streamlined member database—all supported by a learning management system with increased capabilities to serve your professional development needs. Never before have the full benefits of ASIS membership been so immediately and widely accessible to security professionals across the globe.

In addition, the ASIS Board of Directors (BOD) heard your call for the creation of a sustainable pipeline of talented professionals into the security profession.

In response, we reduced the membership fee for students from $60 to $20—while creating the added benefit of free admission to GSX. This change will help open the eyes of students to the breadth of career opportunities available throughout the security industry.

These changes represent just the beginning of your Society’s efforts to create sources of talent for the security profession. Your BOD is also working to ensure that the next generation of leaders has the tools and resources to thrive in its chosen field.

Late in 2018, we launched the Associate Protection Professional (APP®) certification, an early career certification aimed at those just getting started in security management roles. We also released a career-pathing guide, which helps chart your security career and highlights the core competencies needed to advance to the next level. This helpful resource is available as a free download at asisonline.org/careerpathwaysguide​.

From chapters and councils to committees, boards, and the Foundation, the Society is revamping and, when necessary, rebuilding our volunteer leadership structure to ensure that it mirrors the rich diversity of our global membership. This commitment starts at the top, and work is well underway to create a truly international BOD consisting of 12 to 14 directors, in addition to regional managing boards comprised of 6 to 10 seats.

And, of course, there is our BOD-led commitment to enterprise security risk management (ESRM). Through this important effort, ASIS has begun to position the security risk function as an essential contributor to organizational success. 

By advancing an ESRM mindset, which includes helping members develop strong business acumen and leadership skills, ASIS will help position security as both a trusted advisor to the C-suite and as a business enabler across the enterprise. In the year ahead, you will see more ESRM content on the website, the emergence of a maturity model tool to benchmark your progress, and the support of an ESRM guideline.

I am proud of all that this Society has accomplished and excited for what is to come under the leadership of President-Elect Christina Duffey, CPP. Christina is an extraordinary individual, and I am excited to support her, the volunteer leadership, and our membership, as we take our organization to even greater heights in 2019.

FOUNDATION LOOKS TO THE FUTURE

Terror attacks, data breaches, ransomware—these and other threats create a constant need for security, but the form it takes is evolving in the face of new technological capabilities and social and geopolitical changes.

Scouting the Future research from the ASIS Foundation identifies seven change drivers rapidly disrupting the way security professionals approach their practice.

• Complexity at High Speed: A VUCA—volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous—world means that issues unfold both rapidly and in unexpected ways. Hyperconnectivity and automation compound the issues of speed and complexity. Social media interactions cause the human side to operate at high speed as well; a company or an individual can go from unknown to globally controversial in a matter of hours.
• Shifting Values and Valuables: Technological, generational, and economic changes are reshaping ideas about what is valuable. Information—especially in digital form—is becoming more central to corporate functions and people’s lives. Organizations will have to navigate diverging views of risk, and security will have to continually adjust to what is seen as worth protecting. 
• Global Rules in Flux: International rules evolve when power shifts and new actors arise. How global politics, business, trade, technology, and even science are governed will inevitably change, as the needs and perspectives of the newly powerful are accommodated. Some systems will be adjusted, and others may be overturned.
• Tomorrow’s Internet: The Internet is poised to change in multiple, potentially radical ways. New regulatory frameworks could significantly alter the user experience, as well as the business models behind it. Moves to give end users more ownership and control over their personal data would reshape online marketing and security, and the growth of the Internet of Things will give network connectivity to objects in the physical environment. 
• AI Friends, AI Foes: Artificial intelligence (AI) systems will become central to ever more activities, with human–machine cooperation increasingly pervasive in business and industry. Automation will enhance security by enabling new types of threat detection and response. However, these tools in the hands of malefactors will expose and create new vulnerabilities in systems previously thought secure. 
• A Predictive World: Predictive analytics will provide low-cost, easy-to-use tools to businesses, organizations, and individuals. This will empower users with a greater ability to detect and forecast developments to make better-informed decisions, but these systems could also provide false or skewed information that may distort choices. 
• Transparency Battles: Transparency is increasing, for companies, governments, and individuals, and it may conflict with needs for privacy and secrecy. In a more transparent world, organizations will face a growing expectation of openness and accountability in their decision making, relationships, and practices.

These insights will inform ASIS strategy to meet members’ needs in the future. To learn more about each change driver, visit asisonline.org/foundation​. 

INTRODUCING THE APP CERTIFICATION

ASIS is accepting applications for the beta test for its newest certification, the Associate Protection Professional (APP®). Created in response to member requests, the APP certification program will be the industry’s first credential designed to meet the needs of security practitioners with one to four years of related experience.

The exam covers tasks, knowledge, and skills in four domains identified by experienced professionals as required areas of competency in security practice: security management fundamentals, business operations, risk management, and response management.

The APP will officially launch in the second quarter of 2019. Meanwhile, ASIS is beta-testing the exam to ensure that it is performing properly and to set a passing score. The beta exam will be administered from December 11, 2018, through January 15, 2019, at Prometric test centers throughout the world.

Testers can take the beta exam at a discounted rate and, if successful, be among the very first to hold the APP designation. Professionals interested in pursuing the APP are encouraged to review the ASIS Board Certification Handbook to learn more. 

Find the handbook and more APP details at asisonline.org/certification​. 

LIFE MEMBER

ASIS congratulates Bernard D. Greenawalt, CPP, on becoming a life member. An ASIS member for more than 40 years, he currently serves as chair of the Commission on Standards and Guidelines. He has served on the commission for many years and contributed to the creation of new standards and guidelines. In addition, he has been a popular speaker at ASIS annual conferences and learning programs. Greenawalt is a vice president with Securitas Security.​